Christmas stress is a matter of focus and trust. As I write this Christmas 2015 is 2 weeks from tomorrow. I’ve already been asked that question I’ve heard every year since I became an adult: “Are you ready for Christmas?” My pat answer is: “I’m always ready for Christmas.” And it’s true. That’s because every single day is like Christmas … The rest of the story…
Category Archives: John
God is good…but not just any god You can make anything or anyone a god…your god. But that doesn’t make it or them THE God..the one, true, living, loving God who created all the universe. And when you make something or someone into a god…your god…you’re thumbing your nose in the face of the only God who cares about you. … The rest of the story…
Happy Thanksgiving 2015. It sounds odd to say that already. It seems like we just took down the Christmas decorations from 2014, and it’s almost time to put them back up again. Time flies when you keep getting up every day and going to bed every night…doesn’t it? Well, regardless of whether time is flying, I still want to wish … The rest of the story…
Have you ever been in a dark room fumbling to find the light switch? You can’t see a thing, and you know if you don’t turn the light on you’re bound to stumble over something…right? It’s a vulnerable and insecure feeling. But once you find the switch, flip it on, and the light floods the room, instantly all that stumbling … The rest of the story…
Your life is important. Your life is valuable. Your life matters. And those are reasons why you shouldn’t wish your life away. Are you doing that? Well, ask yourself if you wish everything was different. Ask yourself if you wish you weren’t living where you are…or doing what you do for a living…or looking like you do…or anything else you … The rest of the story…
Love God And Live Longer
So…here’s my 1 step plan to a longer, richer life. Ready? Got a pen and paper or computer handy? Here goes. Love God and live longer. Whew! Are you tuckered out? Yeah, I know…it’s a pretty grueling regimen. But you know what they say…no pain, no gain. So, if you truly wanna live a longer life, you’re gonna need to … The rest of the story…
Certain groups of atheists have decided they need their own “gathering day” to celebrate and be with “other like-minded individuals”. One person said “it gets people together focused on something bigger than the individual”. Ironically, that’s what God is…but I’ll continue. They also call this day they want to “celebrate” their “Sunday assembly”. The hypocrisy of their movement is clearly seen … The rest of the story…
Joy And Gladness
A lot of people think the Bible has no joy and gladness. They think it’s a “stuffy old book” full of “rules and regulations” nobody can keep. Young people are turned off by the very idea of what’s in the Bible, rather than actually open it and discover what it says for themselves. And that’s a shame because it talks … The rest of the story…
Internet marketers use an acronym to remind themselves (and their audience) to “keep it super simple” or “keep it simple, silly”. They call this KISS marketing. And today I’d like to apply this approach to why you should believe and trust in Jesus. One of the most famous verses in the Bible covers it. Even if you’ve only seen a … The rest of the story…
If you need a reason for faith instead of empty promises and stuffy traditions, you couldn’t do better than having faith in Jesus. I’ll explain… Jesus lived out His life on earth as a sinless man. At about the age of 30 He began a three year ministry that included teaching, admonishing, healing, and even raising people from the dead. … The rest of the story…
When I realize the fullness of the sacrifice Jesus made to be sure I had a way to live forever, my sacrifice in this life is puny in comparison. And yet, He offers me an “imperishable crown” for running this race in His name. My sacrifice for serving, writing and singing about, and loving Jesus might include verbal insults, mocking, … The rest of the story…
Rocks can’t love. If one of them falls on another, they don’t get into a fight. Trees don’t love. If one of them is uprooted by a storm, you’ll never see the others giving a memorial service. But I can love. And because I can love I know there is a living, loving God who designed me that way. You … The rest of the story…
There’s no getting around it. In this life you will have to suffer fools. To have no contact with fools you’d need to leave the planet. And sorry to say…that would make you a fool, and then your plan would self-explode. 🙂 Now, just because you have to suffer fools and their willful ignorance doesn’t mean you have to do … The rest of the story…
Your To Do List
What’s on your to-do list today? Make breakfast, go to work, have lunch, go home from work, a little TV with the family (or alone), and then off to bed? Maybe you also have some errands to run. Or maybe you have some other appointments to make. Maybe you’re living life, being responsible, and getting through as best you can. … The rest of the story…
Gift of God
When you put your faith in The Way, The Truth, and The Life known to all the world as Jesus, you receive grace…a free gift of God. But have you ever thought about how much it cost Him? I don’t mean only the horrible death on a cross. That’s enough to save the whole world…past, present, and future. But there’s … The rest of the story…
Be Of Good Cheer
You look around and all you see is bad news. Every TV news channel reports the murders, the wars, the stealing, and all the other constant crimes of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man. In the middle of all this…not to mention your own personal crises…is it possible to be of good cheer? Well, what if I told you the … The rest of the story…
Living In The Household of Faith
Have you ever felt like throwing your hands up in frustration at the lack of response (or even downright obstinance) from unbelievers? I certainly have, and if I only depended on myself, I’m certain I would have retreated into my own personal Christianity long ago. But Christians were admonished by Paul to not “grow weary while doing good especially to … The rest of the story…
The True Light
If you’re in a room that’s so dark all you can see is the darkness, what’s the one thing you’re gonna be looking for all the time? Right…light. Gotta find that light switch. At best it’s a clumsy feeling to walk around in the dark. At worst, it can take your mind in terrible directions. That’s one of the reasons … The rest of the story…
Into The Love
Two Doors Into The Love Imagine yourself walking up to two big doors one cool, crisp morning in October. The door on the left is finely crafted out of oak. It’s a rich, cobalt blue with pure silver handles and hinges. There’s a leaded crystal, mirrored window just high enough that you can only see the top of your head. The door … The rest of the story…
All of Heaven
“Music, the greatest good that mortals know, And all of heaven we have below.” – Joseph Addison Having been a professional musician for more than half my life, now, I’m always glad to see music receive such a high place in the grand scheme of things. I love to sing. I’m very thankful to God for this incredible gift. But I … The rest of the story…