One of the joys Gwen and I share is the fact that we get to live “in the woods.” Our home is surrounded by acres upon acres of foliage – trees, bushes, and underbrush. It’s an environment that provides a dazzling visual display through the various seasons. It’s an environment that attracts birds of all type. And it’s an environment that’s “home” to all sorts of mammals.
Read MoreIn May 1897, the great American humorist Samuel Clemens – best known by his pen name, Mark Twain – was in London on a round-the-world speaking tour he’d embarked on in 1895. While there, someone started a rumor that he had died. In fact, one major American newspaper actually printed his obituary.
Read MoreRecently I was freshly gripped by the glorious vision the Apostle John was given regarding our destiny as believers in Jesus. He wrote…“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men and He will live with them...“
Read MoreTo my way of thinking, some of the most outrageous words in all the world are these: God forgives your sins. You may have heard those words years ago and rested in them for a long time. Or perhaps such an amazing reality is new to you and you’re still staggered by the possibility of a clean slate and fresh start.
Read MoreIn February of 2013, the Christian world lost a spiritual giant. Howard G. Hendricks died at the age of 90 after decades of teaching this generation’s greatest communicators. “Prof,” as he was called, taught Christian Education at Dallas Theological Seminary. Among his students were Tony Evans, John Trent, Bruce Wilkinson, Chuck Swindoll, David Jeremiah, and countless others.
Read MoreHave you, in your educational experience, ever had a really, really hard test? Something that was almost unfair in its difficulty? I read some time back of a college student who faced that in a big way. He was taking a class on ornithology – the study of birds. And the final was coming up which he knew was going to be a bear because the professor had a reputation for giving extremely difficult tests.
Read MoreI recently read an article online with this title: "The Most Dangerous Word in the World." It's about the power the word “no” can have over our minds. It was written by a researcher, Andrew Newberg, who is a specialist in neurology. This is part of what he and his coauthor write: "If I were to put you into an MRI scanner…and flash the word 'NO' for less than one second…”
Read More“It is impossible to overemphasize the immense need humans have to be really listened to, to be taken seriously, to be understood. No one can develop freely in this world and find a full life without feeling understood by at least one other person…”
Read MoreThen the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time… (Jonah 3:1) To my way of thinking, this is arguably the most remarkable verse in the entire book of Jonah. That phrase, of course, alludes to the fact that there had been “a first time.”
Read MoreA wonderful story is often told about an incident in the life of Poland's famous concert pianist, Ignacy Paderewski. A mother took her small child to a concert by Paderewski to expose him to the talent of the great pianist. She hoped as she did to encourage her son in his piano lessons, which he had just begun and was struggling to continue.
Read MoreWhenever I cast the vision to those I’m coaching that they need to live with an outward focus, the issue often boils down to the challenge of finding time. “I get it,” they say. “I know I should be more intentional about this, but I’m simply swamped. I can’t imagine having any space in my schedule to engage lost people.”
Read MoreAs I write this, F-16 fighter planes are screaming over our house. No, we’re not under attack! The Air Force Thunderbirds are in town for an air show and we’re privileged to live near the airport.
Read MoreDoctor Jim Clark was fighting for his patient’s life. Little Liz had a rare disease and urgently needed a blood transfusion in order to survive. The only hope for the five-year-old was to receive a blood donation from her twin brother
Read MoreIn his book, When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough, Rabbi Harold Kusher tells a great story about the value of friends.
I was sitting on a beach one summer day, watching two children, a girl and a boy, playing in the sand. They were hard at work building an elaborate sand castle by the water’s edge,
Read MoreOne of the more popular television shows in past years has been “Dancing with the Stars.” Famous people are paired with professional dancers in a series of competitions for a shot for glory.
Read MoreWhile studying in Israel some time back, my wife and I were privileged to take a “day trip” to the Holocaust museum, Yad Vashem, located in the city of Jerusalem. I can’t tell you how moving it was to walk through this heart-breaking display of mankind’s depravity.
Read MoreHere’s a phrase often batted around Christendom that you never read in the Bible. Ready? Be prepared for a surprise. Here it is: “Where do you go to church?”
Read MoreJesus loved to tell stories. Many of these “parables” were offered to correct notions about what God was like and who God loved. One of these stories is known as the Parable of the Great Banquet. It speaks of a lavish love that went beyond all expectation.
Read MoreDo you know what the earliest Christian symbol was? You might guess the cross. That would certainly be the most popular answer. Yet that’s not case. Early on, believers were hesitant to display it publicly lest they be persecuted for their faith, so the cross was downplayed.
Read MoreI have this odd pattern inside of me. When somebody is speaking into my life, if they compliment me, I'm quite ready to hear that. I love hearing in graphic detail how well I’m doing and where I’m growing. It makes me feel so good. But if they're going to say something that is confrontational about my character, about my need for growth, such “bad news” isn’t nearly as welcome.
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