We all have a keen sense of our EXPECTATIONS for the people we encounter on life’s road: Those close to us like family and friends; others we work or worship with on a regular basis; employers; and strangers who come into our lives on the freeway or in a restaurant. I was recently stunned and crushed by someone’s careless behavior that missed my expectations BY A MILE. My immediate, internal reaction...

I gave myself a huge CHALLENGE this past Easter weekend. Here’s the lens I looked through to fully appreciate the most significant day on any calendar on planet earth… Holy Week has historical and life-changing significance because it is the story of Jesus beginning—and completing–his journey to the Cross on our behalf. That’s why my goal every Easter is to shift my focus away from the “holiday”...

The question “WHAT’S NEXT, GOD” has been dominating my thoughts for most of our short run into 2024. My starting point on this subject is considering whether asking God “What’s Next” is appropriate versus one of the most common aphorisms in Christianity: “Let Go, Let God.” Of course, there is nothing wrong with Let Go, Let God. It is a powerful reminder that GOD IS IN CONTROL, NOT US. But it needs...

An excruciatingly painful memory invaded my mind this past weekend and sent deeply emotional jabs ricocheting through my consciousness. It felt like my life’s plane had been hijacked to a deserted and dark location. It was a triggering experience that dropped me to my knees in prayer. AND GOD ANSWERED. After my prayers produced some calming relief, I began to think what a Christian—me, you, all believers—should...

I spent this past weekend thinking about FIGHTING, a lot. No, not the kind of fighting that probably jumped into your mind. I’m referring to fighting the GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. The back story here starts with how some verses in the Bible have special meaning in the life of a believer and how some have EXTRA SIGNIFICANCE. One such verse for me is Paul’s piercingly powerful statement in 2 Timothy: “I...

This yawning morning in late February has me palpably aware that two months of this ‘new’ year will soon be scooting off the stage. That reality creates a confrontation for me with TIME that produces these two thoughts: 1) I NEVER want to obsess over the inexorable passage of time in this life; but 2) I DO want to continually reflect on my life’s purpose and maximize the time I devote to doing the...

All Christians–at one time or another, to one degree or another—are pecked by a pain I call FAITH FATIGUE. That’s been the case for me over the past few weeks. It has not stilled my faith, but it has prompted me to ask God for delivery from the funk. THE ANTIDOTE? Spiritual Discipline. I know…that sounds like bondage, not freedom. But the way out of faith fatigue is sticking to our spiritual...

I’ve always been fascinated by “5-Tool Players” in major league baseball. These are the superstars who exhibit the sport’s most important tools–Speed, Throwing, Fielding, Hit for Average, and Hit for Power. Think Willie Mays and Shohei Ohtani. In professional hockey the five tools are Skating, Shooting, Playmaking, Scoring and Defense. Think Wayne Gretzky. Basketball uses Scoring, Rebounding,...

It’s imperative for all believers to periodically look BEHIND and AHEAD for perspective on the past and hope for the future. I do this several times a year to elevate the precious nature of every day and minimize my time gazing in the rear-view mirror and its string of unmet expectations, dashed dreams, and spoiled plans. This keeps me in touch with the turning pages of my life’s book and the inexorable...

I decided this morning to write about the JOY SLUMP I’ve been in for the past couple of months. There have been “pockets” of joy during this time, but they seem fleeting and somehow less than complete. Yes, this challenge has happened in the exact same period my two-year-old grandson Briar has been fighting cancer. But that is, at least in part, the point. No matter the circumstances, I have to accept...