Juneteenth

Juneteenth began in Galveston, Texas. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, whenGordon Granger, a Union general, rode into Galveston and announced that slavery had been ended. Reaction among the newly freed slaves ranged from shock to jubilant celebration.  There’s more to the story. The slaves had actually gained their freedom when President Lincoln issued the…

A Headless Crown

There’s an interesting verse in the Book of Lamentations. “The crown has fallen from our head” (Lamentations 5:16). Have you lost your crown? Were you walking in victory, sobriety, and recovery, only to have the crown fall off your head? The Journal of American Medical Association tells us that 40-60 percent of all addicts suffer…

NFL Passing Leader

Who am I? In 2011, I became the all-time passing leader in pro football history, with 79,816 passing yards. Along the way, I broke records set by Brett Favre, Warren Moon, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady. My name is Anthony Calvillo. Perhaps you’ve never heard of Anthony Calvillo. That…

Hard Work

Dwayne Johnson said, “Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.” Calvin Coolidge said it like this: “Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers. It may not be difficult to store up in the mind a vast quantity of facts within a comparatively short time, but the ability…

Certain Uncertainty

One of the marks of the Christian walk is uncertainty. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain of our uncertainty.  Scripture confirms this: “It has not yet been revealed what we shall be” (1 John 3:2). Let me say it like this. Certainty is the mark of common sense life, while…

Owner’s Manual

The following was a phone conversation between the owner of his first computer and technical support. Support: “How may I help you?” Customer: “I’m having trouble with my computer.” Support: “What’s the problem?” Customer: “The screen is black.” Support: “Is your computer on?” Customer: “I don’t know.” Support: “Do you see the power button?” Customer:…

Miracle Prayer

Let’s put God to the test today. Let’s pray for a miracle. May the psalmist’s words be ours: “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples” (Psalm 77:14).  Hmm. Where should we start? We are mostly addicts here, so maybe we should start there. Let’s pray for a miracle…

Saving Grain

This day in history, October 5, 1947, Harry Truman became the first president to give a televised presidential address from the White House. What was it that was so pressing as to demand such a historic speech? President Truman went to the airwaves 74 years ago today to ask the American people for real sacrifice.…

Decisions, Decisions

The average person makes 35,000 decisions per day. And after we make decisions, our decisions make us. The Bible offers lots of help in this arena.  “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). “In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6). You will…

Keep Swinging

A reporter landed a rare interview with an aging Ted Williams. They were discussing the current state of hitting in the major leagues. The reporter asked Williams, widely considered the greatest hitter in history, how well he would hit against the current crop of pitchers. “I’d hit about .280,” said Williams. Reporter: “Just .280? You…