The despair that comes with comparing almost always goes unnoticed because we have become proficient at covering it up with our faces and facades. Diversions and denials. Strivings and success. People around us don’t know that a volcano is about to encase our soul in its molten coffin. And they certainly don’t know that we have lost touch with God. That was me early in my faith walk hiding behind...

I am thankful today for so many things that it is impossible to fully articulate the depth and dimension. But there is ONE THING that can stand alone as a singular expression of how I feel today on this Thanksgiving—I am THANKFUL IN ALL CAPS. I am thankful for Jesus and what he did on the cross at Calvary for me—for all of us.    I am thankful for his faithful commitment to grab my hand...

Hey, I prayed. I’m right with God. I sacrificed everything for you, Lord. And my prayers went unanswered. What gives? That very real thread just now ran across the cinema of my mind and interrupted the beat of my heart. Yes, today. Right now as the year turns toward its fade to black and there is no sign of relief from my financial dead-end.      But then sent me this NEWS FLASH which...

Tempting images and messages will NEVER disappear from the cinema of our mind and the chambers of our heart. Our defense starts when we fight to control what enters our mind by recognizing what tempts us. Knowing about this vulnerability in advance and minimizing or eliminating its potential to ignite our temptation provides a better chance of resisting the message and its lustful impulse. But that...

The Holy Spirit helps us understand the things of God. It took me awhile to get over my nonsensical thinking that the Holy Spirit was some kind of complicated and daunting presence. But it all came together for me when God illuminated his truth that no believer ever earned his or her salvation, and no one can ever lose it.    That Christianity offers a sense of security that is unavailable...

When our life’s “boat” hits rocky seas, many of us speed up, slow down, turn around, or douse the bright light illuminating our movement. We try anything and everything BUT dropping God’s anchor right there, right then.    That was ME until one day sharks encircled my boat during the biggest trial I have ever experienced. God screamed, “DROP THE ANCHOR!” and thankfully I listened.     It...

WHY do we need to understand the reason God has us on earth and in his family? Of course it’s for our spiritual fulfillment, joy, and destiny. And it produces eternal perspective and practical direction to life. But there’s more! Understanding our purpose is the gateway to serve others.    I think of it as the IN-ORDER-TO rule. We are in God’s family in order to intentionally seek out (HUNT)...

“Enjoying” our life’s trials is obviously a stretch. Even so, we are indeed fortunate to have trials and afflictions because they are the best way for us to learn what makes us complete in Christ. I call it “joyful pain.” I know, it sounds crazy but stick with me here. We don’t revel in the trials of life or look forward to tribulation; we seek other, more pleasant things. But when...

Early in my faith walk the last thing I wanted to do was say the word JESUS to anyone. I figured you could get away with talking about GOD…but, Jesus, no way. This misguided line of thinking emanated from my spiritual immaturity. I had no relationship with Christ and was not even vaguely familiar with the Word of God. No wonder I didn’t want to say the word Jesus—I didn’t know him.    What...

Yes, you’re going to heaven if you believe that Christ has taken away your sins, and then receive Him into your heart and life. That’s the promise God has for us. “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 But there’s more to the story—God wants us to grow up! I know from first-hand experience early in my faith walk that it...