Biblical Naps

Jesus took naps. “Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion” (Mark 4:38). Our Lord clearly believed in rest. While a storm was tossing the very boat he was in, he responded with a yawn and a power nap. He didn’t sleep long, but he did sleep. Power naps can play an essential role…

The Old Man

“How old would you be if you didn’t know the day you were born?”        – Toby Keith, Don’t Let the Old Man In Ponder that one for a bit.  Don’t misunderstand me. Time takes its toll on all of us. Skin wrinkles. Metabolism slows. Muscles atrophy. If you don’t believe me, attend your next high…

Decide Against Yourself

Your recovery won’t go very far or deep if you only stay sober when it’s easy. It’s what you do when it’s hard that puts points on the board. Until you are tested – really tested – you won’t know if you are really sober. Jack Hayford had a lot to say about spiritual growth…

Parkinson’s Law

According to Parkinson’s Law, the amount of time it takes to complete a task depends on how much time is allotted. In other words, it will take two weeks to complete a project if you are given two weeks. If you are given four weeks to complete the same work, you will take four weeks.…

Keep at It

It happened on this day in history, in 1825. The Erie Canal opened. But it didn’t come easily. The 363-mile passage from the Hudson River at Albany to Lake Erie at Buffalo was the brainchild of several engineers who began meeting in the 1780s. Eventually talk became action. Sometimes, progress takes time.  It took over…

Scary Jesus

Mark 4 tells the story of Jesus in the boat with his disciples. When the storm hit, the disciples panicked and called out to Jesus, who was asleep in the boat. After Jesus calmed the storm, we read a most intriguing verse.  “They were terrified” (Mark 4:41). Notice, that they were terrified after the storm,…

Road Signs

I have driven to Mt. Evans in Colorado. It is the highest elevation of any highway in America. And along the road, there are countless road signs, warning of twisting roads, sudden drops, rock slides, and more.  Imagine that, instead of posting all of the signs, they had no signs, but built a massive hospital…

Smoke Screen

“Don’t trust their words; trust their behaviors.”      – Beth Denison I’ve heard my wife say that a squillion times. If you are the wounded spouse, you need to identify the addict’s smoke screen. Addicts are liars, manipulators, and actors. That doesn’t make us bad people, but it does make us hard to read. With time,…

Willie Mays’ Catch

On September 29, 1954, Willie Mays made the most famous catch in the history of baseball. It was Game 1 of the World Series. With two runners on base, Cleveland Indians star Vic Wertz sent a towering fly ball over the head of the young outfielder. Turning his back on the ball, Mays sprinted toward…

Five Rocks

I’m sure you’re familiar with the story of David and Goliath. A young boy did what the strongest men in his nation could not do – he took down the giant.  You will recall that he brought five rocks to the fight. “David took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the…