Someone recently called me vain. My response? “I’m not vain, I’m very humble. In fact, I’m probably the most humble person you know. Nobody’s more humble than me. I’m very proud of my humility.” Another told me I was “tight” with money. I know there’s some truth...
Lord, I’m wondering why my situation’s still unresolved. I’ve prayed. I’ve behaved. I’ve read the Bible. I know you’re faithful. So whats the hold up? “I’m workin’ on it.” Father, I see more and more hatred, confusion, and depression in the news and in the country....
Mr. T had a point. Foolishness is pitiful. The problem is, like us, he’s assuming it’s somebody else. Nobody would admit to being a fool. Yet the Book of Wisdom describes foolishness at length with multiple verses, implying fools do indeed exist. Adjectives like...
I know of a man on his death bed who begged God for healing. He was spared, even given 15 more years. He was shown mercy, yet sadly, still struggled with pride. He continued to value self-sufficiency, people, and things over God, and his legacy suffered for it. Pride...
We know life is short. So why does a one minute traffic light feel like eternity? Give a kid a $5 toy and watch her yawn. Watch her brother want it and suddenly its value soars! Everybody thinks the best music is from the year they were 13. There comes a point where...
There are plenty of problems. You know the big ones. Whatever solutions we can offer, any approach that doesn’t start with seeking God’s wisdom will be temporary if not a failure. We can also point to many people we feel aren’t seeking said wisdom. This wisdom is...
You’ve got problems. Some seem unsolvable. Maybe they are... by human standards. God is bigger, stronger, and smarter than anything and He isn’t done with you. God is here. We forget. He doesn’t show up visibly or reveal Himself audibly. This is a great part of what...
I want to be less sensitive to criticism. Oh, it’s coming. I can’t avoid it. I’ll try to do right, but I’ll forget something. I’ll overlook someone. I’ll make an ill-advised joke. Maybe I’ll simply be misunderstood. Whatever transpires has critique potential. As I...
Got a place to live, plenty to eat, and people who love you? Maybe you wish you had a nicer place, an unlimited diet, or that person hadn’t hurt you. For now, turn your thoughts away from that. Right now. Do it. Did you do it? There are so many reasons to be thankful....
It’s the most common question asked of recent graduates: “Now what?” It’s a reasonable question and it looks like this: “Are you getting a job?” or “Are you moving up to the next degree level?” Or my favorite, “Are you finally moving out of your parents’ basement?”...
Ever wake up to a soft alarm? The very phrase sounds like an oxymoron. But it starts softly and slowly builds to a point where you have to act on it. You’ve got to get up. It’s like sharing Jesus with people. You have to start gently. You can’t scream “repent” right...
Spring has sprung and the days and nights are even. The temperatures are getting nicer, and people are getting outdoors. Baseball anyone? Just like the turning of the seasons, our lives are changing all the time too. Sometimes they make an obvious shift, like the...
Have a fear of heights? Spiders? Crowds? They’re all fairly common. I find them fascinating. But I’ve developed a unique disorder psychologists perhaps haven’t considered. The fear of Apple. Not the fruit. That’s Malusdomesticaphobia. No, this is far worse. I fear the...
Ever notice when someone says that, it’s often followed by something “religious?” Maybe you believe in a “higher power” or “good vibes.” Perhaps a severed relationship, an illness, or a tragedy has created a bigger perspective. Why did “religion” get such a bad rap?...
Going out of your way to help a co-worker? Patiently listening to a friend drone for minutes without taking a breath? Dropping your own plans again to be there for your kids? Excuse me, but… Your Father is showing. When you offer your truck to help someone move, pick...
Changing phone companies? Hold on to something. This gets bumpy. The phone store. Lois is fine. I’m an alien. They speak a language not taught in school. I was clueless. The atmosphere: weird. Large room, space-age tables covered with display phones, all identical....
When I get older, losing my hair many years from now… The song came out when I was nine. To ever be 64 was way off my radar. Not even the Beatles were 64. Nobody was 64! Nobody except maybe my Grandpa Joe. And Bing Crosby. But not me! I was a kid in the 1960s....
This Is no Hallmark movie. This hurts. You had high hopes for the holiday and something spoiled it. Family conflict. Financial tension. Physical distance. A million things can go wrong. When it happens at Christmas, it’s amplified. And at Christmas it’s all the more...
I want it. Me first. That’s mine. These are phrases we teach kids to avoid, but even we adults have to ward against them. Our go-to mode is “me.” We’re born to protect and promote self. Hopefully over the years we learn to balance it and even put others first. But...
Christmas is almost over. Don’t blink. You’ll miss it. Remember last year? Seems like yesterday. That makes yesterday seem like 5 minutes ago. You see where I’m going. Time is relentless. It just keeps flying by. And the older we get, the faster it flies. Try sixty...
You know who I mean. Those double-standard hypocrites. Those divisive and selfish phonies. If someone would just set them straight! Of course, not us. It’s those other people, right? Yeah. We’re cool. Sure, we have our faults, but at least we’re not as bad as those...