Is Grace Really Enough? —Dec 15, 2008
Do you ever wonder if we live in a country (USA) that is so blessed with "creature comforts" that we have become "flabby" when it comes to our spiritual fitness? We have so much, yet everywhere I turn I see increased dissatisfaction and misery as people clamor for more and more and more. When will it ever be enough? Is there ever an end to the discontent and anxiety of those believing the lies of entitlement thinking? (chew on that one for a few seconds...)

I Love You, Even Though... —Dec 5, 2008
Dinner time at my house almost always produces memorable moments. It is a time when our whole family gathers around the table to eat, pray, and talk about our day. I like to ask my kids about school and anything else they want to share about their day. I have had many enjoyable interactions at the dinner table, not to mention many hilarious moments as well. Recently, we were eating boneless chicken for dinner (this will have significance in a minute) when such a memorable, hilarious moment occurred.

Blinded by Grace —Nov 12, 2008
My eyesight has never been that great. I could blame my mother and father, but then they would have to blame their parents and so on. Regardless of how my genetic makeup came to create my eyes as they are, the fact of the matter is that if I don't have contacts or glasses on I am virtually blind. This allows my wife to have some fun with me in the mornings and at night when my corrective lens aren't in place, as she might hold something up ten feet away from me and ask me if I can tell what it is. I don't do well at this game...

Is All Change Good? —Nov 5, 2008
In recent months we have heard presidential candidates declare with passion that, if elected, they would usher in change to our economy, our international diplomacy, and our general welfare. This message sounds hopeful and inspiring, but I have found myself asking one question each time the dust settled from these rousing speeches about change, “Is all change good?”

Faith is Universal —Oct 29, 2008
I can already hear the gasps among my fundamentalist friends as they read the title to this article. But don’t worry, my dear friends, I haven’t jumped ship on evangelicalism and adopted a “we’re all going to heaven” theology. No, I still believe the truth that there is only one way to eternal life and that way is by faith alone in Christ alone. So, this article is more about the exercise of faith in general than it is about faith in God (although general “faith” is ultimately meant to lead us to our Creator).

The Sky is Yellow —Oct 14, 2008
One night at dinner, during the normal noisiness of everyone eating and talking and laughing, Megan (my  youngest) was in especially fine form. She was talking silly and just making everyone laugh with her antics. In the middle of our fun, as I was laughing, I blurted out sarcastically with rolled eyes, “What color is the sky in your world, Megan?” Without missing a beat, she replied with an immediate seriousness, “Yellow.”

For Better or For Worse —Oct 13, 2008
Marriage is hard work. Don’t let anyone deceive you into thinking that marriage is all about feelings, romance, and endless smiles. While a relationship often begins with such superficial components, marriage is much deeper. Marriage is a covenant.

Why is God Faithful? —Oct 8, 2008
Am I the only person who finds it remarkable that God is faithful? I mean, from a God-is-perfect-holy-and-cannot-be-anything-other-than-true perspective, I get it. But from a human point of view it just doesn’t make sense. Why would God be faithful to people who have proven throughout all of history their incapacity at reciprocating such faithfulness? We have such short attention spans and the attribute of faithfulness is certainly not one that is hardwired into us at birth. We drift… a lot.

Be Narrow-Minded —Oct 1, 2008
I realize from the onset that the title to this article might not be popular in our modern society. (But that's OK. After all, God says I'm an alien.) Listen to any radio broadcast or watch any television news show and the message becomes pretty clear: open your mind and broaden your acceptance of anything and everything around you. And while it seems such a principle might bring the desired effect of increased joy and happiness by embracing all ideas equally, the true net effect of such indiscriminate acceptance is one of foolish pride and pitiful emptiness.

By Faith —Sep 19, 2008
How might your life be different if you lived each moment conscious of your true citizenship? If you are a believer in Jesus, you are not home. Not even close. In fact, the Bible repeatedly refers to God's children as aliens, strangers, ambassadors, living in temporary tents, and groaning with creation for our true home. But do you live right now with such an eternal mindset, a perspective that goes beyond urgent, material needs and desires? It's a convicting question, isn't it?

More Connections, but Less Connected —Sep 4, 2008

Which of the following tech gadgets is your favorite?

• HD Television
• Blackberry
• Macbook computer
• Anything Google
• Bluetooth headset
• Anything wireless

My personal favorite is 'anything wireless' as I have three children under the age of eight in my house. Wires and children do not go together. But that's not the point of this article, so I will move on.

Don't Panic —Aug 30, 2008

Ok, so the title isn't original. In fact, I stole it from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. But I like it and I think we might just be able to glean some real life wisdom from it (for those of us scurrying around on this blue ball called Earth). 

Life is filled with transitional moments. Think about it. From the time you get up in the morning until you put your head back on the pillow at night, your life and mine is all about transitions. Most of them seem small and insignificant, like moving from your house to your car to the highway to your office and back again. These don't seem like transitions that could cause your heart to stop or your palms to get sweaty. Regardless, life is still about transitions, external and internal.

Why is Grace So Hard to Embrace? —Jul 28, 2008

grace, n.

The freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.

There is no other doctrine, I believe, that is simultaneously the most difficult to understand and yet the easiest to receive than that of grace.  Denominations are split over it, pastors argue about it, cultures ignore it, and only a few ever embrace it.  Why is this one little word, this small, yet overwhelmingly powerful concept, so difficult to embrace?

What's a Wretch to Do? —Jun 19, 2008
I know a counselor who recently approached a local church to ask if they would host a conference to help homosexuals learn about God's best regarding their sexuality.  The pastor of the church simply stated he wasn't interested.  This, unfortunately, is not uncommon.  There is such a fear among many well-meaning, evangelical churches of how their church fellowship will appear to others.  In many ways, it is politics as usual in the church.

Fatherhood: An Investment that Lasts —Jun 13, 2008
My father died in 1992.  I face every Father's Day with mixed emotions.  I am sad he is gone, I miss him so much.  But I also love the memories, I love this time of year where I can reflect on the things my dad taught me, the investment he made in my future.