Christmas is almost upon us.  This beautiful holiday dominates our December every year.  But how do we get the most out of it?  How do we prepare ourselves for it?     First, pause and reflect.  December is very busy for most people.  There can be travel or house guests, there are presents to buy and extra events to attend.  Make sure that you take a little time in these final days leading up...  Read More

      This life can be frustrating at times.  One minor example, I have called for a tow truck three times in the past two weeks.  I look around in my circles of family, friends,  and acquaintances and see health issues, conflict, financial challenges, prodigal children, stunning loss and struggling marriages.  As a result of a back injury several years ago, physical pain is a daily part of my lif...  Read More

     The Bible tells us to “fear not” 365 times but also has almost 200 verses that encourage us to “fear God” (The Awe of God, John Bevere, xv).  Clearly the Bible teaches that there is good fear and bad fear.  Bad fear is worry or anxiety on steroids.  But good fear is different.  Good fear is the fear of the Lord and it’s a virtue.  King Solomon in the Scripture wrote that the fear of the Lord ...  Read More

      My wife and I have five children, four are grown and married and now having children of their own.  One is sixteen and still with us, but the clock is ticking.  What are the keys to making an impact on the lives of your children and grandchildren?        First, generational impact is a team sport.  Our family has always been actively connected to the community.  Church is the primary vehicle...  Read More

      What has your anger cost you?  An important relationship, a job, your reputation?  In some extreme circumstances someone’s anger could even cost them their freedom because they physically hurt someone.  Even the great leader Moses lost the opportunity to enter the promised land because he acted out of anger.  I do want to acknowledge that some anger is good. We should be angry about racism, ...  Read More

       Have you ever had someone let you down?   A good friend gossip about you?  A business partner steal from you?   Faithfulness matters. Imagine sitting on the death bed of your beloved spouse of fifty years and he tells you that he has been 95% sexually faithful to you!  According to our school district that would be an A.  But somehow that does not feel like an A, does it?  Human relationshi...  Read More

      Everyone has someone they consider difficult in their life. It could be a demanding boss, overbearing parent, selfish spouse or rebellious teen.  How do we deal with these individuals?      First, embrace humility. I am embarrassed to admit that it was not until I was an adult and married with children that it even occurred to me that for some people I was that difficult person. I have a vis...  Read More

      In the Hebrew Scriptures there are hundreds of commands. Jesus was once asked what the greatest command was.  He said in essence, love God and love your neighbor.  I want to focus on the second command in the cliff note version of ethics from Jesus—loving our neighbors.  In the New Testament, we are told repeatedly to love one another.  Honestly, Christians struggle with this; I know I do.  ...  Read More

      I’m 54 years old.  I do not consider myself a senior citizen but have three grandchildren and three more on the way!  I read recently that the average life span for American men is 73 and for women is 79 (Not Too Old, David Faust, 13).  Therefore, if I am average, I have 19 years left; the sand is rapidly flowing to the bottom of my proverbial hourglass.  I appreciate the challenge of author...  Read More

      Everyone agrees that one of our greatest and deepest emotional needs is to be loved.  God as our Creator loves us passionately.  The prophet Jeremiah speaks for God saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love . . .” (Jeremiah 31:3).  The Bible is complex, but at its heart it is a love story: God’s love for us and our opportunity to love Him.  The Bible is clear that God’s primary post...  Read More

     Almost all of us worry at one time or another.  Our list might be different but most of us have some fear about our families, finances and future.  Even little things can get to us if we are not careful.  It has been said, “Worry often is a small thing that casts a big shadow.”  --Swedish Proverb  (Winning The Worry Battle, Barb Roose, 21)  We mentally play the “what if” game.  What if I lose...  Read More

      A few months ago, we did an event called Skeptics Welcome. The idea was that people could come and ask a panel of two pastors their questions about the Christian faith. One of the questions that I thought was the most challenging was “How can we say God is good when the Bible says the Lord created evil?” The writer of the question then offered the reference Isaiah 45:7. We read the King Jame...  Read More