bear

Bear Attack

In the picturesque enclave of Lake Arrowhead, California, three men attempted the crime of the century. They dressed up in bear suits and ravaged their own expensive cars in full view of security video. Then they filed claims totaling $140,000 for the damages.  But the California Department of Insurance wasn’t convinced of the veracity of…

battle

Battle of Annihilation

There were two prophets to Nineveh – Jonah and Nahum. We all know about Jonah, but no one remembers Nahum. Let me help you. His message was succinct. Six words. Nahum 1:15 “The wicked will be completely destroyed.” Not partially destroyed. Completely destroyed.  In warfare, nations employ any of 55 offensive strategies in an effort…

restraint

Restraint

Restraint. You probably never think of restraint as a part of recovery. But holding back, saying nothing, and remaining calm – are some great signs of maturity. And recovery.  Mark Batterson wrote, “Sometimes the greatest miracle is restraint: holding your tongue or resisting temptation or keeping your anger in check. Jesus set the standard before…

break

Give Me a Break!

Read this verse with fresh eyes. Ask yourself what Jesus did just before he blessed the bread. “Now as they were eating, Jesus, having taken bread and having blessed it, broke it, and having given it to the disciples, he said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body’” (Matthew 26:26). What God blesses, he first breaks.…

good

God Is Good

It was the first prayer I learned. We prayed it every night before dinner: “God is great, God is good; let us thank him for our food. Amen.” We hear these same three words at church every Sunday, from a multitude of lips “God is good.” When our prayers are answered (our way), God is…

smart

Smart

I spent nearly half my life in school – 29 years. I have met a lot of really smart people along my journey. I have met presidents, governors, surgeons, philosophers, astronauts, and scientists. I have played chess against grandmasters and dialogued with the leaders of some of the world’s most successful companies. I’ve known geniuses…

joy

Joy

“The fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy” (Galatians 5:22) St. Teresa of Avila said, “From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, Lord, deliver us.” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a Jesuit priest, paleontologist, and philosopher, said, “Joy is the surest sign of the presence of God.” Pastor and author Bruce Larson said, “Grimness is…