Satan's 10 Most Believable Lies
July 29, 2012
Just wrapping up a series called "The Invisible War" (you can check it out on our Media page) and didn't have time to teach on the following list. See what you think...
Satan’s 10 Most Believable Lies:
10. You live only once (food for worms) or many times (reincarnation).
9. There are no absolutes (hey, to say there are no absolutes is an absolute!)
8. Satan doesn’t exist (Revelation 12:9 says he is out to deceive the whole world.)
7. You can’t believe the Bible (Why? It has ... read more
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Satan's Schemes
July 16, 2012
As promised by me on a Sunday morning at one of our services, here is a list of some of the schemes of the devil. Though this list is not exhaustive, it offers eight major schemes of Satan.
Also, I recommend that you do the work of getting out a Bible and looking at these verses while you have this open. It will give you a better handle on God's Word and get you even more familiar with the Bible.
As you read Ephesians 6:10-17 (go ahead and look it up), you will be reading the greatest treatise on spiritual warfare ever written in Scripture. It would do us all well to learn it.
Finally ... read more
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A Light in Titanic's Dark Night
April 11, 2012
Friends, this is a fantastic and inspiring true story written by Ron Hutchcraft, a colleague in ministry. Enjoy! -Steve
There's just something about the Titanic. Yes, the ship sank - but it seems our fascination with it is unsinkable. And that includes me.
So many stories. So many life lessons. But in the many moving stories of that horrible, haunting night, there's one that just blows me away. One passenger, a man named John Harper, is someone whose life and choices during those three fateful hours still give me Goosebumps.
John Harper was a Scottish pastor...a wi ... read more
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Inner Success
January 28, 2012
Your ultimate inner and personal success in life, I believe, comes from none other than truly grasping and possessing an accurate knowledge of how God actually sees you when you choose to become a Christ-follower. Nothing will do more good for your inner self, your soul, peace of mind, and confidence than the esteem that comes from God. God-esteem is far better, more biblical, and far different than self-esteem. Self-esteem is really all about us—how we see ourselves. God-esteem is all about God and how He sees us because we are "In Christ."
With this in mind, check out this list of Sc ... read more
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10 of 10 Top Ten Tips for Finding Mr. or Ms. Right
November 29, 2011
It’s hard, tough, frustrating, wearisome, annoying, and it just might be the most difficult thing to do as a Single person. What’s that? Being patient while waiting for Mr. or Ms. Right to come along. But wait a minute… there’s hope. That’s because the future is a bright as the promises of God… and God has given us some great promises—like what was listed in my last blog. Yet, here is a promise from God to all Singles that is every bit as profound and assuring as any.
“…follow the example of those who receive all that God has promised t ... read more
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9 of 10 Top Ten Tips for Finding Mr. or Ms. Right
November 28, 2011
It’s funny. Well, not really. Okay, maybe just a little… it all depends on whether or not you are Single and wanting to get married one day. Singles, especially Christian Singles find it particularly desirable to find Mr. or Ms. Right ASAP so they can experience all the joys of those who are married. They hope Jesus does not return until after they tie the proverbial, knot. That’s because Singles who love Jesus, want to stay sexually pure until their wedding day to honor the sanctity of marriage as God intended. Yet there’s no doubt… this can cause signifi ... read more
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8 of 10 Top Ten Tips for Finding Mr. or Ms. Right
November 27, 2011
This "tip" is a no-brainer... but it is something that is easily overlooked. It should be our first inclination but it's often our last recourse. Yes, I am talking about the power of prayer.
I want to share with you a passage of Scripture from the book of Philippians 4:6-7, but I want to translate it from the Greek to get the most from it for you. Here's what it says to every Believer in Jesus:
"Stop worrying, no not even for one thing; instead, in every situation, with both general and specific prayer, let your requests be made known in the presence of God, and the peace of God which su ... read more
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7 of 10 Top Ten Tips for Finding Mr. or Ms. Right
November 26, 2011
**Note** For writing purposes in this blog, I will mostly write from the point-of-view of a woman looking for a man, even though it can and should be read the other way around too. This is so I don’t have to write “him or her” or “he or she” throughout.
LOOK IN PLACES where you would expect to find someone with the qualities you value. If you want someone who cares, look at the local soup kitchen and see who is volunteering on Saturday afternoons9. If you want someone who is good with kids, look for a coach or a teacher or a mentor. If you want a generous ... read more
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6 of 10 Top Ten Tips for Finding Mr. or Ms. Right
November 25, 2011
EVALUATE YOUR PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS. Not everyone is Miss America. Nobody looks like the models in magazines (eh em… except my wife, Julie!) We each have something going for us though. Find out what your best feature is and accentuate it. Wear clothes that make you feel good when you wear them. Choose colors that seem to go best with your skin tone. Guys, if you wear a waist 38 and you want to get to a 34, workout or get some consistent exercise that will propel you to your target size. Ladies, the same is true for you… if you are a size 14 and want to get to a 10, make small ... read more
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5 of 10 Top Ten Tips for Finding Mr. or Ms. Right
November 24, 2011
THE WOW FACTOR. What we’re talking about here is sort of like the magnetic quotient, like the octane rating; the magic factor that you feel in the relationship.
The point of THE WOW FACTOR is that God designed each one of us with the capacity to feel a strong measure of attractiveness toward certain people. If you’re building a significant relationship with someone who could become a lifelong partner, there had better be a mutually powerful sense of attraction between the two of you, because if there isn’t, something isn’t right.
Proverbs 5:18-19 - “So be h ... read more
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4 of 10 "Top Ten Tips" for Finding Mr. or Ms. Right
November 23, 2011
There’s a HUGE principle that lends to the fantastic success or the dismal failure of a relationship that turns into a winning marriage. You might call it THE BAGGAGE FACTOR.
What I’m referring to here is the understanding of each other’s backgrounds that eventually leads to an unwavering confidence that your future together will not be undermined by secrets and complications from the past.
Let me be painfully direct here. That special person in your life that you’re thinking could be a “fit” for marriage someday, the one who seems Like Mr. or Ms. Ri ... read more
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3 of 10 "Top Ten Tips" for Finding Mr. or Ms. Right
November 22, 2011
3. Know what you are looking for in a person and get specific. Here are some qualities to look for in a healthy relationship: common values and similar culture; the ability to forgive and be forgiven; the ability to challenge and be challenged without defensiveness; the desire to have children and train them up in godliness; the desire to worship together as a couple and family. Ask yourself, “Why do I want this relationship?” To find myself or to help the other person find all that God has for them? To make up for what I lost in childhood? To keep me so excited I can’t be de ... read more
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2 of 10 "Top Ten Tips" for Finding Mr. or Ms. Right
November 21, 2011
2. THE CHARACTER FACTOR is a huge core value that cannot be compromised when hoping for Mr. or Ms. Right to come into your life. At the “get-go,” decide in yourself that the character of the other person is essential to you before moving forward in a relationship. What do I mean?
If one partner is honest and the other can’t be trusted; if one partner is responsible with promises and commitments and the other one breaks them with ease; if one partner is wise about money and the other is foolish and deceitful; if one partner is committed to marital fidelity and the ... read more
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1 of 10 Top Ten Tips for Finding Mr. or Ms. Right
November 20, 2011
1. Get your life back on track. The fastest and most lasting way to do this is to "get tight with God." Jesus said, “I have come to give you life to the fullest.” He will propel you to the best sort of life on the planet. So, the most important thing is to be Mr. or Ms. Right yourself. Finding the right man or woman is not going to change you into a better person than you already are. Our character qualities are good and winsome, but we also have flaws that are evident to all (If you are not sure what they are, ask your mother!) Learn how to be kind, caring, and unselfish. Mod ... read more
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My Top Ten Bible Verses for Depression
November 12, 2011
If your life is a roller coaster of highs and lows or you feel down and out with regularity, then you have probably felt the dominating power of depression. This silent nemesis causes life to come to a screeching halt for millions of sufferers. Depression wrecks our lives by ruining our performance at work and the things we want to do in everyday life. But it doesn’t stop there; it also affects our relationships in the deepest way. If you’re feeling the pain of depression, you need help…and God wants you to know, He can be your answer.
I have listed my "top ten" bible ver ... read more
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Where Is God When Bad Things Happen?
September 10, 2011
One of the most important questions regarding the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 is "Where Is God When Bad Things Happen?" This is not my post, but it goes a long way to answering the tough questions of evil and suffering being present in this world, while ultimately under the control of the God of the Bible.
1. Accidents and even mayhem are a part of life in a fallen world.
Jesus told us to expect pain and difficulties in this life. "In this world you will have trouble," He warned His disciples in John 16:33. And to the public at large, He said this about the future: " ... read more
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What Should Be My Focus?
June 17, 2011
“No horse ever gets anywhere until he is harnessed. No steam or gas ever drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.” –Harry Emerson Fosdick
Focus. It’s inherently powerful; and if harnessed rightly, can make an ordinary person into someone great. As Fosdick said, “No life ever grows great until it is focused…” So, what should be the focus of every believer’s life? Is it possible to know and can it be the ... read more
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The Power Of Focus
April 27, 2011
It seemed like my last blog, titled, “Trying is Never Enough,” got some good conversations started. So, I thought I’d follow up with some additional thoughts on the horsepower of focus.
Aristotle said: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
King Solomon wrote: “Be smart and know where you’re headed.” (Proverbs 14:15)
Focus brings definition to your life. Without focus, you’ll flounder, wondering what you are supposed to be doing with your life. Life and choices become a game of guessing and chance. But your destiny and mine is determined by choice, not chance.
We often talk abo ... read more
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Trying is Never Enough
March 14, 2011
“Those who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try nothing and succeed” -Anonymous
“Do or do not... there is no try.” -Yoda
I sat in my office with a nice couple who was having some marital issues; don’t we all? We talked about some things and he said one of those things that would make most counselors cringe. He said, “I tried that!” Really? For how long? A day, week, month, three months, six months, a year, longer? I mean, how long should you try something before you know if it's going to work or not?
The problem w ... read more
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The Epic Struggle between Good and Evil
January 24, 2011
The epic struggle between good and evil—it’s in our ancient writings, modern novels, and Hollywood movies. My favorite movie trilogy, Lord of the Rings is all about the fight between good and evil. Why are we so drawn to it? What about it do we like so much? Some say, “It’s in our blood” but I think of it as far more than that.
I think it is part of our moral conscience and consciousness. It seems to me that our Creator God put it there…and for good reason.
Track with me for a moment… Wouldn’t it be a logical thing for a logical God (He gave us the laws of logic) to put his m ... read more
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Creeper
January 06, 2011
You know what a creeper is, don’t you? It’s always been defined as a person who, well, creeps you out! The Urban Dictionary (which I don’t necessarily recommend) defines a creeper as “A person who does weird things, like stares at you while you sleep, or looks at you for hours through a window. Usually a close friend or relative. You know right away if that person is a creeper or does creeper things. It is not hard to spot the creeper.”
Now there’s something that should creep us out more than anything should. That something is revealed in the Greek New Testament Bible as (hamartia), which ... read more
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Seeing Yourself the Way God Sees You (Part 2)
November 05, 2010
Seeing ourselves the way that God see us is HUGE. That’s because His view of us is the ONLY CORRECT VIEW. If we see ourselves any other way, our thoughts become tainted and skewed. The verses below is only a sampling of the way God see those who have received forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
I am accepted...
John 1:12
I am God's child.
John 15:15
As a follower, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
I have been justified or declared as righteous.
1 Corinthians 6:17
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.
... read more
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Seeing Yourself the Way God Sees You (Part 1)
October 04, 2010
Most people gain their identity more from one of five things:
1. What they do (prestige)
2. What they possess (stuff)
3. What they look like (beauty)
4. What position they hold (power)
5. What others think about them (reputation)
All of these things seem good and are like gauges to see how we “measure up.” The problem is they’re probably the wrong gauges. If our personal identity comes from any of these, we are invariably going to collapse one day because no one can ... read more
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The Power of Prayer
September 08, 2010
In this Post, I am passing along to you a very good write up on "The Power of Prayer" by Chip Ingram. He's a solid guy who has a good understanding of God. Enjoy!
Have you ever heard a child pray in that kind of singsong way of reciting something that they’ve memorized? They know the words but there isn’t a lot of understanding or meaning behind them yet. If you want a great example of this, ask a kid to say grace before a meal when they’re really hungry. Man, you’ve never heard someone pray so fast in your life! The words run together and you sense their urgency to say grace fa ... read more
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Great minds, average minds, and small minds
August 02, 2010
“Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.”
The credit of this quote goes to Eleanor Roosevelt. It’s a great statement—don’t you agree? And even if you are in the company of those guilty of discussing people, you have to admit, it’s a striking statement.
Let’s take a quick look at each of these from a biblical point-of-view. And let’s begin by starting with the last statement and work our way toward the first.
”Small minds discuss people.” Some consciously or subconsciously talk about others [1] To take the gaze off of their own flaws or [2] ... read more
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Top 3 Ways to Grow Spiritually
July 23, 2010
Growing up spiritually has always been a concern of those who follow Jesus Christ. We ask, “What’s the best way to grow in God?” and hope what we’re trying works. If not, we’re back to square one again.
But what if I shared with you three of the very best ways to grow up spiritually, would that interest you? Would you dig a personal plan—tailored to you? If so, then try these three things:
Read the Bible each day for at least 15 minutes.
When reading your Bible, ask yourself these 3 easy questions
[1] What’s God saying?
[2] What’s God saying to ME?&nb ... read more
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Epic Fail 101
June 30, 2010
It used to be that I would always be able to beat my son in a game of racquetball quite easily. Not anymore. Now that he’s 18, he’s winning more and more and losing less frequently. That’s what happens when you grow up; you practice and you get better by training yourself.
And that’s how it should be for Christ-followers too. We should be growing up spiritually—winning more and more in life’s arenas and losing less often.
But what happens when we fail? What goes through our mind after we’ve messed up and know that we’ve displeased God? Do we run the other way and sort of hope that God f ... read more
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Spiritual Progress
May 26, 2010
My family regularly takes time during the week to read the Bible together and talk about a certain passage of Scripture. Just the other day, I asked a question that wasn’t really easy to answer. I asked “What telltale signs would be evident in the life of a person who was truly ‘growing up spiritually’?” Here’s a quick list of what my 11, 16, and 17 year old said—along with my wife (we won’t disclose her age).
Loving God & others more completely
Serving others
Trusting God more
Habitually thinking about how to glorify God
Learning God’s Word better
Sharing y ... read more
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Breached
May 07, 2010
Today, I was breached. Not my computer or my bank account; I was. I let my guard down and bam, it happened. I sabotaged myself. I gotta tell you, I hate it…it’s a rotten way to live. So I’m just thankful that I don’t always live life “breached.”
When I live life foolishly, I get beat up. Certainly, it’s no fun. That’s why the book of Proverbs in the Bible is so good to read. Consider this statement in Proverbs 4:23, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” What a statement! Few sayings are more revealing than this one. It tells me that absolutely everyt ... read more
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One-Hundred Thousand
March 29, 2010
100,000 or, if you like, 2.5 billion. That, according to the American Heart Association, is how many times your heart beats in a single day and over the course of 70 years of life.
As I think of my own life, I can’t help but consider that’s how often God imparts His grace and mercy towards me. Really, it's perpetual. And I can’t help but think of the fact that it is by His grace that He gives me life and that without His mercy to wash away my sins, I’d be toast.
Truth is, His grace still amazes me. He continually gives to me, you, and all of humanity all good things we don’t deser ... read more
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Borrowed Giftings
March 13, 2010
What are you good at? What do you love to do? What is the thing in life that you can’t wait to get to? What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail and nothing could stand in your way?
Next question. Why? Why are you wired like you are? What’s your answer?
For me, it couldn’t be any clearer that the gifts we have are given to us by God and are fully on loan. This means that without God’s grace or His special favor toward us—none of us would be able to do anything well at all. Without His giftings granted to us, we’d even dislike and probably disdain what we presently love to do. ... read more
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Borrowed Light
March 02, 2010
Throughout their growing up years, Julie (my wife) and I have tried to teach our kids (now 17, 16, & 11 yrs.) to be thoughtful of others, kind to others, and giving to others. Most parents make virtues like these, goals for their children to embrace and one-day arrive at.
But I’ve found that something negative that can happen along the way if we’re not careful. What do I mean? Sometimes, other people mention how “good” your kids are. When that happens, too many moms and dads tend to believe, “that’s right, my kids are really good…in fact, they’re awesome.” Or we mistakenl ... read more
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Borrowed Time
February 17, 2010
In case you’re wondering, I'm scheduled to die on Friday, February 9 in the year 2052. That's right; my date with death is Friday, Feb. 9, 2052. You may wonder how I know that. I know it because I went on the internet and found the death meter and this death clock asked me the day and the year I was born, how tall I am, how much I weigh, if I smoke, if I was pessimistic or optimistic, and a bunch of other things. And according to this death clock, I’m toast on that date. So, if I quit blogging after that, you’ll understand why.
The Bible clearly reveals that we’re given a certain amou ... read more
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What Is God's Will?
February 01, 2010
Because of the heavy snow that fell in Virginia Beach, Reality canceled its morning gatherings this past Sunday for the first time in our six-year history and instead, streamed live from our media center, the final talk in our series, “Life’s Too Short.” In this message I talked about how we can discover the will of God for our lives. Because this is such a hot topic, I wanted to post something helpful to you that I did not address in my talk.
People all over the world ask this same question in all sorts of different ways: “God, what is Your will and why is it not easily known or ... read more
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Why Groups?
January 26, 2010
Is there a cure to “loneliness?” Is anything out there that is so life-changing that it kills the “aloneness” we feel by its inherent qualities?
I think there is.
Americans we idolize independence. Our forefathers declared independence from the tyranny of another country (England) and now we’re declaring it from one another within the country. What I mean is that people used to hang outside in the front yards, but for decades now, we’ve moved everything to the backyard in our fenced-in yards and gated communities.
But it doesn’t stop there. Like an addict, we ... read more
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Don't Drink the Kool-Aid
January 22, 2010
Where do some people get their crazy ideas about God and His word? Hey, I’m not just talking about anybody…I’m talking about those who call themselves Christians. Recently, I’ve had some conversations with people who are drinking the Kool-Aid. And these are Christ-followers; people who genuinely love God, but have been indoctrinated by a steady diet of toxic drink. I want to shake them out of their stupor and let them know that their poor understanding of God is actually hurting them in life. Too bad, most don’t want to hear it.
There are some things God CAN’T do and some things He W ... read more
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Cooperation
January 03, 2010
I’m stoked about the plans God has for Reality Church. Even though I don’t know exactly what those plans look like or the particular timing God has in mind, I am confident of great things. But there’s something else…something that includes more than just God’s wishes. As I ponder on future possibilities with what God wants for Reality, I realize that I personally have something to do with its success or demise. And if you’re part of the Reality Church family, you do too. Let me explain.
God is sovereign. That means that He can do what He wants to do anytime He wants to do it—as long as it d ... read more
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Getting In On This
December 12, 2009
I’d like to think that I’m good at just about everything that I put my hand to. I’d like to think that all problems yield to effort. I’d like everyone to think that I’m awesome in how I lead my family and Reality Church. Unfortunately that’s not the case. And though this may come as a shock to some who know me (not really!), I’m just not that good.
Maybe you’re a mom that feels lacking in parenting skills, or a business professional that seems to lack some interpersonal skills. Maybe it’s not skill you’re lacking; maybe it’s wisdom you lack in your marriage or even personally. Whate ... read more
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Botched Bible Translations (Humorous)
November 19, 2009
The Story of Botched Bibles.
Several English Bibles published in the seventeenth century get their nicknames because of typographic errors. For example:
The so-called Murderer’s Bible misprints “murderers” instead of the correct word “murmurers” in Jude 16.
Mark 7:27 was made to read: “Let the children first be killed” (instead of “filled”).
The Wife-Hater Bible tells a man to hate his own wife: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father . . . yea, and his own wife also.” Of course, “wife” should read “life.”
The first edition of the Kin ... read more
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Twas The Month Before Christmas
November 15, 2009
A politically correct Christmas poem
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas -- no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About shepherds and wise men and angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say --
December 25th is just a "holiday."
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit,
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X Box, and I-Pod,
Something ... read more
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A Stud Or A Statistic
November 02, 2009
Relationships can be terrific one day and tough the next. But the deeper truth is that they don’t get that way consistently overnight. Our relationships are a product of what we make them. In other words, what we did yesterday determines our today, and what we do today will decide our tomorrows. Life is all about choices, isn’t it?
Throughout all the counseling I have done in my years as a pastor, I am convinced that every relationship, even the difficult ones, can be helped. They can turn it into a success story if both parties devote themselves 100% to making it work.
Accor ... read more
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Unanswered Prayer...Why?
October 31, 2009
You say you’ve got faith in God. You tell it to others, but yet our faith is too easily shaken when we don’t see our prayers answered right away. We struggle with whether or not God knows about our problems or even if he does—does he really care.
But if you look back in your life, you’ll most likely remember times when you understood God’s delay in answering your prayers. I know that’s true in my case.
Maybe we need a better, more biblical perspective on why prayer seems to go unanswered. I’ve found a couple huge reasons why this may be the case in your life:
1. ... read more
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Can't Change Someone Else
October 21, 2009
You want to make things right in your marriage, but the other person won’t have anything to do with it. Or, maybe, you’re trying to reconcile with one or both of your parents, but, by the looks of it you’re not having any success. Perhaps, you and a friend have had a spat and you don’t know what to do to make things right. You want to, but you’re just not sure how.
Welcome to Conflict 101. Well, maybe it’s more advanced than 101; maybe it’s more like 401. Whatever the case, you know it’s hard and it hurts really bad.
I was in this jam recently for about two weeks with someone ... read more
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Heaven and Hell Politics (humorous)
October 13, 2009
I thought many would get a big laugh out of this story in light of corruption and deception in the U.S. Congress and their very low approval rating. Enjoy and feel free to pass it on. -Steve
While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St Peter at the entrance.
'Welcome to heaven,' says St. Peter. 'Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you.' 'No problem, just let me in,' says the man. 'Well, I'd ... read more
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Divine Surprises
October 05, 2009
Prayer.
You hate to do it because you’re not sure it really works. Nevertheless, you try, just in case it does.
But it’s not prayer that works; it’s the will of and power of God that makes good on the prayer or request made.
There is one particular thing about prayer that is essential for us to see God answer it in the affirmative. That one essential is our faith in His revealed promises. No doubt, this passage of Scripture will help us understand the truth of this better. It’s found in the New Testament book of Hebrews, Chapter 11, and verse 6. It reads like this: “Witho ... read more
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Win, Lose, Succeed, Fail
September 21, 2009
You may be one of them. I am. Maybe not all the time, but I still do it. So, I guess I’m not as spiritual or as mature in the Faith as I’d like others to think I am. I realize I still have a ways to go.
What I’m talking about is the ability to discern between two big players in our lives: Excitement and Passion. You see, it goes something like this: We get this great idea (whatever it is) and almost immediately we’re on the road to accomplish it and tell others about it way too soon. We prop it up like it’s a mission from God.
Problem is, if it’s only a desire…it doesn’t ... read more
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Beating Temptation...most of the time
September 14, 2009
There is an old Indian legend that tells about Indian boys who would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticed one tall rugged peak, capped with dazzling snow. I will test myself against that mountain, he thought. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders and set off to climb the peak. When he reached the top he stood on the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled ... read more
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Where Was God on 9/11
September 11, 2009
On 9/11, America and nearly the entire civilized world was shocked and in disbelief as we witnessed the calamity of the WTC in NY City. Shocked that the most powerful nation on the planet was attacked and dreadfully vulnerable and how it could be that such evil could take place right in our own “back yard.”
Evils working pervade every culture, every society, and every socio-economic stratum. Sin and evil know no bounds. It’s part of every race and nationality. It’s in every country, city, town and neighborhood. Wars, famine, crime, murder, torture, abortion, infanticide, etc.
Could God have ... read more
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You, A Marketing Genius?
September 03, 2009
A couple of years ago, just before we launched Reality
Church, Julie and I visited Sequoia National Park in California. When you see
the enormous size of those trees, you can’t help but think how well God markets
himself. Then, just three years ago, we were blessed with a timeshare from my
parents and went to Lake Tahoe. To this day, it was one of the most beautiful
places I had ever been to.
Here I am today writing this post in the heart of beautiful
Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.
Once more, I’m thinking, “God Rocks! He can surely market himself like none
other.” Come on, you ... read more
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You Can Be Successful
August 26, 2009
Success is something that everyone wants—you, me…everyone. But how is it that success comes? I mean, how do you get whatever this thing we call success is?
There’s a very cool passage of Scripture that says “As long as King Uzziah dedicated his life to serving the Lord, the Lord gave him success.” 2 Chronicles 26:5
The Bible is replete with promises about God bringing success and prospering those who follow Him closely. For example:
2 Chronicles 31:21—States that “Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.” And Joshua 1:8—“Study this Book of I ... read more
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In the Courtroom
August 19, 2009
Ever been part of a courtroom procedure like Jury Duty, testifying under oath, or being a character witness for someone? The waiting and the possibility you could be called on is suspenseful.
Recently, I was asked to be a character witness for a friend in a court of law. I thought it might be possible that the Judge would call on me to stand before [her] in this case and testify. So what did I do? Before I arrived, I made sure that I put on my best stuff just in case. Shaven? Check! Right shirt & tie? Check! Cologne on? Check! Shoes shined? Check!
Went through a whole rou ... read more
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Vacillating, Oscillating, and Other Unhealthy Practices
August 10, 2009
It’s hard to see people hurting in life. I’d rather give them some sort of magic pill that could help them in their life journey, but that’s not the way it works, is it?
Recently, I’ve had conversations with others I care about and I see the struggle they face. Some of the struggles are self-induced, but some are caused by circumstances and powers beyond us. Still, what pains me the most is the fact that there is an answer to many of our heartaches. An answer? Yes, an answer.
Now, to some, I may be naïve, old-fashioned, or just plain “out of touch” with the real world. Could be, but ... read more
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Why Do You
August 02, 2009
It’s not elementary…in fact, it’s downright advanced stuff…at least to most people. It’s a legitimate question that weaves its way through the heads of the multitudes. Preachers even get it wrong; but it should be so easy.
Believe it or not, I heard a TV preacher say something in an interview that shocked me. He said something that many of us actually feel but would rather not say; so he said it for you. And it has huge implications. He said, “I serve God because I fear Him; I don’t want to go to hell, and that’s why I serve Him faithfully.”
Wow! Really? I serve God because I fear ... read more
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It Matters
July 27, 2009
What’s on your mind lately? Politics, money, food, ballgames, church, cars, God…what is it?
I guess blogging is all about weighing in and then shouting out your two-cents. So here’s my shout for the day.
For far too long now in our culture—Christianity as a whole has been looked upon with great suspicion as being illegitimate because of a lot of talk mixed with little walk. For the last three decades many Americans have had enough of “Sunday Christians, plastic Christians, closet Christians, and preachers who pointed their fingers and yelled about hell, fire, and brimstone, but failed t ... read more
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Seven Wonders (Part 3)
July 25, 2009
Incredible, isn’t it; the way God made the Seven Wonders of the Natural World so spectacular? In case you’ve forgotten what they are, I’ve listed them for you:
[1] Mount Everest in Nepal [2] Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe [3] Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA [4] Great Barrier Reef in Australia [5] Northern Lights [6] Paricutin volcano in Mexico [7] Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Google these and what you’ll see is…gorgeous, breathtaking & stunning.
Still more stunning and even awe-inspiring is the Seven Wonders of the Spiritual World. We’ve covered the first four; now let me ... read more
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Seven Wonders (Part 2)
July 17, 2009
Here’s a “pop-quiz” with seven multiple choices and a chance to respond below:
Question: What is authentic spiritual transformation (the 4th of seven spiritual wonders) all about?
A. Trying to be a good person
B. Giving up stuff
C. Committing myself to something better
D. Following through on my word
E. Quitting my bad habits
F. All of the above
G. None of the above
If you answered a, b, c, d, e, or f – you think like most people. But most people are wrong when it comes to the 4th spiritual wonder…how “God Transforms Me.”
Notice the common denominator ... read more
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Seven Wonders
July 14, 2009
Some time ago, a guy named Bill Hybels wrote a book called, “Seven Wonders of the Spiritual World.” I loved that book and thought that, if you haven’t heard of it, you would let me share with you, as best as I can remember, what those seven wonders actually are.
The list goes like this: [1] You Matter to God [2] God Can be Trusted [3] God Forgives Me [4] God Transforms Me [5] God Guides Me [6] God Uses Me, and [7] God Satisfies Me.
This fantastic list is just that…almost too fantastic to believe, or better yet, it’s “out of this world.” Well ... read more
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A God Blog
June 30, 2009
What do you do when you are going through hardship? When there are no easy answers in sight? Where do you go when things are beyond your control and you just don’t know what to do anymore? What do you think that God would want you to know?
I’ve been thinking about these very questions because lately I have seen a number of my friends and family going through some very difficult things: Awful family problems, severe health issues, financial turmoil, and even personal demons they are wrestling with.
So I thought that if God had a blog today, He just might want to remind us all of what He’s ... read more
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The King of Pop Dies
June 26, 2009
Could it be any clearer what God says about death?
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. Psalms 116:15
As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live… Ezekiel 33:11
Whichever camp the king of pop (Michael Jackson) was in, we don’t know. It was only he who could ultimately know whether or not he had a personal relationship with the forgiver of sin, Jesus Christ. What we can know is two things: [1] God takes no pleasure when a p ... read more
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Titles and Bosses
June 19, 2009
In case you might forget, Barbara Boxer is a senator.
The feisty California lawmaker felt the need to remind an Army brigadier general of that fact recently during a hearing before her Senate Committee where the military officer testifying had the apparent gall to call Boxer "ma'am."
Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was testifying and began to answer one of Boxer's questions with "ma'am" when Boxer immediately cut him off.
"You know, do me a favor," an irritated Boxer said. "Could say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am?'"
"Yes, ma ... read more
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Hornet Attack
June 16, 2009
No joke. I ran as fast as I could to get inside the house like a little kid running from a neighborhood bully. Today (Tuesday) was my day off and I’m outside in the back of the yard, power-washing our screened Gazebo. As I’m doing this, I realized that I’m hitting some hornet nests that are tucked away in the corners of the structure.
I should have looked first to see if there was anything hidden in these corners, but after stuff started dropping I thought I would take a look. Stink! There was way too many of them around all sides of the Gazebo for me to safely spray them away, so I t ... read more
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Offended
June 16, 2009
I had someone walk out on me this past Sunday at Reality Church as I spoke on a very touchy subject (part 5 in the Life Swap Series). This person was ‘hot’ to say the least…offended at what I had said and from the front, stormed out of the building briskly walking down the middle aisle uttering, “I’m not listening to this.”
But should we actually be surprised if this happens if we’re proclaiming God’s Word? And, still a bigger question is, “what if the person offended is another believer…should we be stunned then?” I don’t think so.
You see, we need to remember that we’re all ... read more
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A No-Hitter
June 11, 2009
On this date (June 11, 2009), exactly 19 years ago, one of baseball’s greatest pitchers, Nolan Ryan, pitched his sixth “no-hitter” in his career as he and the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland A’s 5-0.
As a former “pitcher” with a semi-pro team, I know just a little about how difficult it is to throw that all-elusive no hit game. Ryan got the best of his opponents for a number of outstanding reasons…one of which is the fact that he worked at being the most effective pitcher in the Major Leagues. He went on to retire with 5,714 strikeouts and 52 additional major league records in his twen ... read more
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Kids at Every Stage
June 11, 2009
What are you learning these days? That terrorism is real and close to home, or that government intrusion in our lives is happening more and more, or perhaps you’re witnessing the truth God tells us in the Bible…that we must not trust in the uncertainly of riches…especially in these harsh economic times. We dare not hide and say it’s not true…it is, but it’s also hard to swallow.
There is another thing that’s hard for me to swallow, maybe you too; and that’s the training of our kids. To do it well and to do it consistently is hard work. But it’s more complicated even than that. These d ... read more
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Your Gig
June 09, 2009
Let me set the stage. Every Monday happens to be the day when we as a staff spend a few hours on the creative programming aspect of an upcoming series. Our next major series is one we’re calling “Joosey Froot.” We pray, and then jump in; sharing our thoughts from a media perspective on the big idea I want to communicate on a particular Sunday. No idea is sacred. Every idea is potentially viable.
But this particular Monday was to be different; maybe just for me to see the power of God at work. Here’s what happened. Our Media Director, Dave, hooked four of us up on TokBox , a video cha ... read more
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A Powerful Drug
June 08, 2009
God’s Word seems to always prove itself right. Time and again it’s on the cutting edge of what modern man is finally figuring out. What I’m talking about is the medicinal effects laughter has on the human body and psyche as a whole. Solomon, the wisest and probably the wealthiest king in the history of the world wrote about laughter. Here’s what he said: “A cheerful disposition is good for your health…” (Proverbs 17:22)
Today, after getting home from an awesome church service, each of our three kids invited a friend over the house. After lunch, Joy, my youngest, was upstairs in her room wit ... read more
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Consumer Christianity
May 29, 2009
It’s the easiest kind of powerless, feeble living to fall into. It has no nerve, no spirit, no backbone…no adventure. It’s called, consumer Christianity…always taking but rarely giving.
CC takes the guts out of meaningful living because the true meaning of life, according to Jesus, is to totally and fully give ourselves to His will while we’re still sucking air. We were meant to give our very lives away for the sake of pointing others to Him. I don’t think I’m doing so well.
So, today, I began asking myself a different kind of question. “What Does God Expect Of Me?”
Is my Christianit ... read more
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The 'B' Word
May 26, 2009
It’s been about 25 years and I’ll never forget the statement. When I was in Bible School, I had a professor who would often say to us: “If you have a chance to do the talking or do the listening—choose to listen. The reason, he said, was that "you can’t learn anything new by talking since you already know everything you’re going to say.”
Good advice, given that most of us want to become smarter and wiser in life. Still, there is something that’s potentially even more powerful than listening to others doing most of the talking. I’m referring to the ‘B’ word…the lost art of book reading.
... read more
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Life Change?
May 25, 2009
Right now at Reality, we are doing a series of talks called “Life Swap.” Our intention in this five-part series is to introduce people to the truth about what actually happened in and to them once they put their faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. Our goal is to show them all the “perks & benefits” they have as a result of their new relationship with God.
Today, we did something different in our church services. Instead of the typical approach to communicating God’s truth…you know, the “I talk, you listen” format, I introduced a three-panel team to answer ... read more
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Sporks
May 13, 2009
Okay, I was at KFC having some lunch (I like their hot & spicy boneless wings), when I asked for a plastic fork, cause I didn’t want to get my hand full of the extra hot sauce I requested. They said, we don’t have forks anymore—we have “sporks” instead. I laughed. “Really? Okay, I’ll take one.”
Boy, what a mistake that was. The “spork” should never have been invented or patented. At least this particular make and model. What a joke! I couldn’t poke or lance anything. This piece of plastic was masquerading as a useful tool. I th ... read more
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Jerks, Grief, and Grace
April 30, 2009
Sometimes things trigger other things and they trigger other things and you wind up thinking about something you had no intention of contemplating. For instance, tonight as I was driving home from my last counseling session, I began thinking about how much God puts up with stuff from people like me!!
I thought about how much of a jerk I sometimes am to God and how much I must grieve Him at times. Then I told Him what I just told you and praised Him for His goodness and grace toward me. I wound up smiling in my car as I talked with the Lord, and as I did, I was telling Him ... read more
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Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda!
April 29, 2009
Recently, I’ve been a little uptight…bugged might be a better word, about the needless and stupid choices so many of us make—even though we know it’ll cost us. In the past month, I’ve talked to way too many people who are willing to take their chances and probably lose than to make the wise decisions and rack up numbers in the ‘wins’ column. So, I find myself asking “why?” Why do we still choose it? Why risk the pain, the embarrassment, and the failure when it could all be avoided.
I guess it’s kinda like death…we all know it’s going to happen; we just n ... read more
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Something Crazy Pays Off
April 17, 2009
Okay, the crazy stuff we did at Reality this past weekend was worth the risk and paid-off well. We also took a chance as a church to do something out-of-the-box on another occasion which made the news…at least locally.
First, my staff and I usually meet weekly for about two hours to focus our thoughts on the creative aspect of an upcoming series of talks. By praying, talking, and just throwing things out on the table as ideas, we think God gave us the idea of having a six week series of talks on how to build great relationships. We called it “My Lame Relationship,” and went to build ... read more
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Something Crazy
April 10, 2009
Doing something crazy, something rad, something new for Easter. It’s totally out-of-the-box…at least for me, but I can’t say what it is yet or the news will get out before its time. So, here I am, at the church offices at 2 o’clock in the morning, practicing this crazy stuff for this weekend when I speak. Thought I’d write a post about it…but not just about “it,” but why I’m doing “it.” That’s probably more important.
I gotta tell you, I'm really scared to try this…especially on the biggest Sunday of the year! I’m not sure of myself -- not even sure of the decision to do it. I guess the wor ... read more
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Lion Chaser
April 07, 2009
I got to meet and spend some time with a very cool guy named Mark Batterson not too long ago. He leads an awesome church up in the D.C. area. He's written some books but, one of his best is called "In a Pit With a Lion On a Snowy Day." It's a book I think everyone should read. Here's a juicy part of what you'll find in the book...
Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making ... read more
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What Do I Do?
April 02, 2009
What do you do when you don’t know what to do? What happens when you have the facts you need or the information at hand, but you don’t know what to do with it? For example, you know your kid has a substance abuse problem or your marriage is hitting the skids or your investments are tanking. What do you do? Really, what do you do?
Recently, I have needed to pursue wisdom for things I’m facing. I may have all the facts concerning the matter, but still lack the insight I need to proceed.
Here’s a quote I’ve heard many times before. “Knowing about something is one thing; knowing what ... read more
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I.Q. of Zero
March 28, 2009
I just got my butt kicked by something that has an I.Q. of zero! No, it wasn’t some idiot driver on the road; that would be easier to defend myself against. For a few moments, I got beat up by my emotions. Doesn’t happen often, and I know why…but this time I did.
During my bout with these criminal feelings that attempted to rob me of my joy, I immediately began asking, “Why…why do I feel this way?” And if you’ve ever let negative feelings…with a zero intelligence quotient get the best of you, then you know depression is next.
Some wonder why these crazy feelings seem to just ... read more
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Garlic Knots
March 28, 2009
It was a good choice. Scratch that...it was a great choice. I got to take my wife on a date last night to an Italian joint. Good food, but the best part of it all was their unbelievable Garlic Knots. They totally rocked! Freshly baked, with loads of fresh garlic and parmesan cheese doused in olive oil. Makes my mouth water just writing about it. How 'bout yours?
Bad thing though about those garlic knots. They give you bbbbbad breath. I could have stopped a train with as much as I had. I won't speak for Julie, but she likes the garlic too! It's unfortunate that garlic repels people. And wh ... read more
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Falling Asleep in the Wrong Places
March 24, 2009
I just got up... it's 3:11 in the morning. Fell asleep on the most uncomfortable couch in the US of A. I don't remember what I was watching and don't know if I dreamed about anything. What I do know is that I missed out on snuggle time with my wife. Bummer. I'll make that right in a few!
As I was climbing up the stairs to get ready for bed, I started to think about how much I hate falling asleep on that couch. Then another thought struck me. I really seriously wondered how many good, normal, fun-loving people fall asleep in life on couches they just as soon wished they had never dozed-off ... read more
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Running on Fumes
March 20, 2009
I ran a red light today...on purpose. Looked all around for cops as I sputtered through the intersection hoping I wouldn't get busted. Fortunately, they were busy elsewhere catching real criminals or something.
Why'd I run the red? Because awhile back, ABC News' John Stossel, reported that automobiles are made to go extra miles, sometimes 40 or more extra miles even when your tank reads "empty." So I put it to the test...and lost.
Driving home from work, I started sputtering pretty badly and was still about a mile from the nearest station. Not wanting ... read more
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Fast and Furious
March 17, 2009
Today I sat with my wife (Julie) and my youngest daughter (Joy) and looked at a large photo album from 10 years ago. It was when Joy was just born and then the next few years as she became a toddler. Laughter, some tears too, and thoughts of where the time went flooded my mind.
Saw my other two kids in the album too. Now one of them is driving. Time...where'd it go? Then I wondered if I'm parenting well as a dad. You know... lots of love, affection, fun, acceptance, guidance...the works.
Then I did some figuring and concluded that I only have 65 more Saturday ... read more
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Overtaken
March 16, 2009
In a few days, my wife, Julie and I are coming up on our 22nd wedding anniversary. I know we don’t look that old. I think it’s because we got married when I was nine and she was seven. That puts me at 31 and Julie at 29. A number she will remain at indefinitely.
Joking aside, I planned ahead of time to take Julie away for a few days to a hotel on the beach. Call it an early anniversary surprise. Got an pretty nice room reserved and off we go. We arrived, checked in, and then pulled the car around to the underneath parking garage. As I’m unload ... read more
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Evolution versus the Human Body (Part 4 of 4)
March 03, 2009
If you are wrestling with whether or not you're the creation of a loving Creator or the accident of bacteria that evolutionists say came into existence all by itself, then may I suggest that you read the previous three posts and wrap up with this one?
The human body consists of about 75-100 trillion cells, and each cell has about 10,000 times as many molecules as the Milky Way has stars. Three hundred million cells die and are replaced in the human body every minute. All of the DNA in an adult human body could fit inside one ice cube, but if unwound, stretched out and joined end to end, it ... read more
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Evolution versus the Human Body (Part 3 of 4)
February 17, 2009
Ah, Lake Tahoe. A gorgeous vacation paradise located in both Nevada and California. My wife and I got to go there a couple of years ago for free. What a place. God is good! For a city boy that grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, FL it's a world of magnificant splendor and design. The best vacation my wife and I ever had! Anyway, that's not my point. My point is the design of it all. Everywhere you look, you just have to stare and gawk.
The splendor and design of the human body is without equal anywhere in the known universe. Evolution says that we all evolved from - get this - "non-living matter." I ... read more
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Evolution versus the Human Body (Part 2 of 4)
February 09, 2009
Why do you think it is...that when we watch something on the discovery channel about our so-called, pre-historic, ape men ancestors, the producers of the show get all excited about an archeological find like a plate or some sort of crude tool? Among other things, it's at least partly because they've discovered an object that reveals how advanced intellectually they were. Yet, whenever it is mentioned that the incredible makeup of the human body with all of its complexity has to have been made by an author with an intelligence far beyond ours, many simply dismiss it. So I'll ask you a second ti ... read more
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Evolution versus the Human Body (Part 1 of 4)
February 03, 2009
The human body is nothing short of spectacular. The proponents of evolution claim that we happened to evolve...over time into what we are today. Their premise is: Time + Chance = Life.
To them, Shakespeare was wrong… “To be or not to be” is NOT the question. The question is, “Did God create man, or did man create God?” In other words, “Is man created in the image of God, or is God created in the imagination of man?”
In this four part blog, I want to take you on a journey where you can determine for yourself...with a simple dose of common sense, if you, I, the human race simply evolved ov ... read more
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A Four-Pack
January 28, 2009
I sat across the table at a coffee shop from a young man in his mid-twenties who asked if I had some time to meet with him; he deperately wanted to get a fresh start in life. His past had been marred by using and selling drugs, bad company, and a home-life so dysfunctional that I could only imagine what it was like.
As he talked about what God was beginning to do in him, I just listened--hoping that he was truly ready...and willing to make the right moves in the right direction. After he shared his story, I began to share with him something I knew could help him in his journey to wholeness. ... read more
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Please, No Religion! (Conclusion)
January 20, 2009
Okay, let's wrap this up with a few passages from God's Word that makes clear this catch-22:
Romans 3:20 - “No man can justify himself before God by a perfect performance of the Law's demands - indeed it is the straight-edge of the Law that shows us how crooked we are.” In other words, God says, being good enough is impossible.
Galatians 3:10-11 - And that means that anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed to failure. Scripture backs this up: "Utterly cursed is every person who fails to carry out every detail written in the Book of the law." The obvious ... read more
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Please, No Religion! (Part 2)
January 16, 2009
Here’s the video trailer playing in our heads: “There’s this good God who lives in this good place called heaven who saves a place for all the good people on earth after they die. But they all have to DO something… or more like a series of things that are considered good, so then their good will outweigh their bad and when they finally die, they head straight to this place called Heaven." If that makes sense to you, pause and think again. It really shouldn’t make sense and here's why:
[1] The theory that "good people go to Heaven" is untested. We have to actually be dead to prove this theor ... read more
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Please, No Religion!
January 13, 2009
Does the phrase "NO RELIGION" interest you like it does me? I've been thinking about it quite a bit lately...especially around the Christmas season.
You see, I think religion is a monster AND I dare say a murderer. Its tentacles are far-reaching, digging deep into the heart and mind of people all around the globe. Still more, I see religion as a cold, dark prison that breeds religious people who become addicted to attitudes of superiority, arrogance, and pride. But more than this, religion is a place where the foulest of lies are born.
Believe it or not, Jesus’ birth and life was God’s b ... read more
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