I used to think that there was no way God was monitoring my motives…and I was WRONG. I learned this lesson the hard way while living without considering my motives each day when I checked in with God. It took me several years to figure out that those conversations with the Lord of Heaven and earth are compromised if we do not include our motivation.    Why? Because when we do...

We all have a keen sense of our expectations for the people we encounter on the road of life. People close to us like family and good friends; others we work or worship with on a regular basis; and strangers who come into our lives on the freeway or in a restaurant.      Just yesterday I was stunned and crushed by a business colleague’s careless behavior that missed my expectations...

I love restoration shows on television! I’m ALL IN if a story delivers on three ACTS: ACT I     Start with something run down or not operating as it should.    ACT II    Develop some kind of restoration strategy and action plan.    ACT III   Conclude with a dramatic reveal of the “new” prize.    Just yesterday I wondered “where...

Even though it sounds a bit sensationalized, it is not. Retreating to the balcony has dramatically changed my walk with Christ. Transformed my life. And, yes, saved it in many respects. The story is built around a balcony metaphor and pivots off God’s instruction to examine ourselves to “search me and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23).    The goal is to get perspective on my life’s bigger picture...

There is a good reason REGRET is one of the most powerful words on the planet—IT HURTS! The most common definition tells the story:    “A painful experience and/or memory from the past.”    Most of us have regrets from the past that we carry around with us like carpenters tote their tools. That’s unavoidable. But we can work hard to keep them from ruling our life in the present....

The Fight-or-Flight response is our body and mind’s physiological response to a perceived or real threat to our safety or survival. And it’s REAL! Consider this… You are snorkeling above a majestic coral platform, suspended in the safe confines of a cozy cove in the Caribbean’s shimmering cobalt ink. The coral attracts you like a magnet and, in an instant, one of its knife-like fingers awakens a surprised...

Why are so many Christians afraid to activate their faith? Afraid to discover their life purpose? Afraid of their own shadow? What can we do about that sad reality? Let’s start with what will not work—POSITIVE THINKING. Not a chance. The antidote is SPIRITUAL CONFIDENCE.    Trying to reach 100% Spiritual Confidence through positive thinking is like wearing new socks in bad shoes.   ...

Our media-driven and comparison-crazy world wants us to chase everything. Have everything. Be everything. We all hear and see the pounding pitch every day on screens that seem to show up everywhere, even in our own pocket or purse.    These pitches serenade our soul in search of a crack of vulnerability that would have us succumb to the lie that we should—no, must—have everything.   ...

When we are teeming with anger, we know it. When we are trembling in fear, we know it. And when we are trapped by envy, we know it. But when we are SELFISH, well…not so much. That’s how sneaky and insidious selfishness can be in the life of a Christian.    In many cases, this blind-spot is created by our hubris and a sense—conscious or unconscious—of spiritual elitism. Another opening for...

The world has always been roiling in CHAOS. And then it was rocked by a social media maelstrom that has taken it to a much deeper and dangerous level.    The chaos cyclone cannot be stopped but we still yearn for order; fight for peace; and pray for relief.    We do not want chaos in the movie theater, at the supermarket, or on the beach. And we certainly don’t want chaos in our...