We hear a lot of “shoulds” right now. “People should.” “Our leaders should.” “This should not happen." Words like travesty, tragedy, disgraceful and despicable are also prevalent. We’re really good at placing a critical description on troubling news and problematic...
Why do we look when we we’re warned “Caution, some images may be disturbing to sensitive viewers.” Who wants to be disturbed? It seems we do. There’s something weird about us that’s drawn to look at car crashes, violence, and scary movies. I don’t get it....
Have you ever seen a social media post that was so preposterous, so offensive, so just plain WRONG it made you mad? Of course you have. Have you ever given into the temptation to correct them? (All in Jesus’ name, of course) After all, they needed straightening out....
When Christ takes control of your life, something supernatural happens. It’s almost like magic, but magic implies something other than the power of God. No, it’s the Holy Spirit, which out ranks any other force in the universe. An authentic change takes place in your...
I have a friend who’s very nice. He’ll smile when he sees you, he’ll ask how you’re doing, and he’ll ask about your family. He’ll compliment you. He’ll offer to do things for you. He won’t rest until he’s exhausted every avenue to make sure you’re content. He drives...
You never know who you’re impacting. I was nine. I didn’t know anything. All I knew was I liked baseball, brownie pudding, and the Beatles. (50 years later, not much has really changed.) By the time you’re nine, much of your personality and character has been formed....
Slow drivers. Fast drivers. Clueless drivers. Do they drive you crazy? I half-jokingly posted a question asking if anyone ever talked to other drivers, knowing the answer. Of course we do. We all do. And it’s usually derogatory. I sometimes wonder why someone would...
It’s always an adventure in the neighborhood I walk every day. It might be an aggressive dog or just a friendly one. It might be a bustling garage sale or giggling kids on bikes. But through all the various activities, the neighborhood has become very familiar. I know...
Just a month ago we gathered. Remember that? We thought nothing of it. We always gathered. Gathering was a way of life. Gather, gather, gather. It was what we did without hesitancy or consideration of the possibility that we would ever NOT gather. We built our...
It ultimately defies our limited logic, and it’s at the center of our very being. The Bible says “None is righteous, no, not one;” (Romans 3:10) So the gift of no guilt, no remorse, no depression? What could be more important? What could be more powerful? And it comes...
Kids in the 50s had the scare of nuclear holocaust. In the 60s we worried about political assassinations, riots, and getting drafted to Viet Nam. The 70s had their share of issues, too. Acid rain, the Ayatollah, disco, you name it. The 80s had the threat of aids, the...
All your problems are taken care of. You can relax now. Oh, this doesn’t mean you won’t have trouble or bouts with anxiety. You just don’t have to. You’re human. You have limits. We all have a breaking point. The good news is that you have a go-to. You can opt to turn...
We could all use a little peace. Okay, a lot of peace. The world can seem less peaceful every day. There’s a reason for that. It’s why it’s called “the world.” Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble.” So, knowing this to be true, we’re no longer surprised...
I went to a store, whose name you’d recognize, to return shoes that didn’t fit. The Customer Service lady greeted me warmly and listened intently to my concern. She asked if I had my receipt. I apologized because I did not. She said, “No problem! Just pick out another...
Early in our marriage, my Lovely Wife and Life Partner Lois and I did what lots of people do when it comes to money. We did “the best we could.” The problem with this method is it never works. Without a plan, your money is like air. Just floating around. You know it’s...
Suffer from depression? Burdened by regrets? Have a tendency toward self-condemnation? There are times when medication or professional counseling are necessary. Only you can know for sure. But there are steps you can take to help maintain daily emotional health and...
Grandpa's Valentine Limerick
Have you ever doubted that God loves you? We all fall short and make mistakes - do things that we regret. In those moments it may be hard to remember that God loves us, or believe that He can forgive us. The truth is God knows you better than you know yourself and He...
It’s church worship time. Don’t get caught up in all the external. What the worship leader is wearing, his/her quirks, habits, and gestures. All distractions. Be intentional about worship. Worship anyway. Get past the type of music, the volume, the song selection. Its...