In a recent period of stress and anxiety, I reached out to a friend. Not just any friend. I’m talking about the kind of friend Solomon described: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). I’ve known this guy since high school, but we have only reconnected in…
Throughout Scripture, God calls us the sheep of his pasture. The prophet expounded on this when he wrote, “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). How does this happen? How do we get off track? Do sheep mean to get lost? Do they…
Who said this? “A time will come when, instead of shepherds feeding sheep, we will have clowns entertaining the goats.” Answer: Charles Spurgeon – 19th century. I’m afraid that time has come. I’m guessing that you don’t have to look very hard to find a church that is better at entertaining the goats than they…
Carpe diem is a Latin phrase that means “seize the day.” Your task is less about planning ahead than it is living for today. I love the picture drawn by the great philosopher and author Francis Schaeffer. He said, “Life is like a clock with no hands. It’s ticking, but you never know when it’s…
Don’t blame others for your relapse. You can blame them for your pain, your trauma, and your abuse. But not your relapse. Sorry, but that one’s on you. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “If you could kick the person in the pants who is responsible for most of your troubles, you wouldn’t be able to sit for…
Hope. It’s in our title. There’s Still Hope. The prophet was eaten up with hope. Micah wrote, “As for me, I watch in hope for the Lord. I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7). Hope is a powerful thing. Scholar Dan J. Tomasulo, professor at the University of Pennsylvania,…
Let’s play Movie Trivia. I know people who probably know all three answers. Movies are their lives. That’s not me. I have other idols – antique cars, for example. There is nothing about a 1966 Mustang that I don’t know. Hobbies are great. But knowledge of Christ is even better. The Bible says, “Since you…
Recently, I attended a different church in my area for one reason. I love the drummer. He’s the most incredible drummer I’ve ever heard. I have gone to hear him play multiple times throughout Texas and now Florida. The drummer is my son. But on this particular Sunday, there was actually more to the service…
Every year, the local pastor preached the same message to his church’s high school graduates. He would say, “One day you’re going to die. They will dig a hole and put you in it and throw dirt over your face. And at that time everyone will know whether you lived for a title or a…
A country doctor had a sign over his office door that read, “First visit $25. All other visits $10.” A man who was known to be pretty cheap went to see that doctor for the first time. In an attempt to get the lower rate, he greeted the physician with these words: “It’s good to…