Family Thanksgiving. It’s coming. Are you ready? Here’s how you can be: 1) Be thankful. Family. You’re all together. Take a look around. Enjoy them—the good, the bad, the ugly. Don’t forget: They are your family. 2) Take nothing personal. Odds are something will be said to offend you or provoke you. Whether it is…
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Alex Trebek was like family. Mr. Trebek, of course, was the beloved host of the game show Jeopardy!. Though I rarely watched Jeopardy!, just hearing Mr. Trebek’s name brought to mind humility, and a kind of respect and warmth. It seems the American culture felt the same. Maybe you too. Sadly, Mr. Trebek passed away…
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As I write this, the next president of the United States has yet to be determined. Recounts are underway. Whatever the election results, how should we respond? How do we move forward as Christians? * Reject “#NotMyPresident”. If the results of the election are disappointing or disastrous to you, please don’t say or post that…
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Almighty God, You reign. You are sovereign over us, over all the earth, over the times and places of all people, and sovereign over elections. The Psalmist thundered: “The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all” (Psalm 103:19). Though we cast votes, Your purposes aren’t thwarted by votes.…
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The Scriptures call God’s people to do works of justice. The prophet Micah declared, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). The prophet Jeremiah adds, “This is what…
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I love my people so much. My joyful role as their shepherd/pastor/overseer is to expose and protect them from false teachers and false teaching. I take this very seriously. In fact, I took the opportunity to address a heresy this weekend labeled progressive christianity. You can watch or listen here. This heresy actually dates back…
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Satisfy my soul. “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14 If my soul is satisfied in Christ, I will not seek to satisfy it with sin, accomplishments, people’s validation or approval. So, help me, God. Open my eyes to…
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“Typically, a Bible that is falling apart belongs to someone who isn’t,” said somebody. I like it. So let’s chat about Scripture and daily devotions with God. Often, Jesus withdrew to be alone with the Father in prayer (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). While there, Jesus prayed that we would be sanctified by God’s Word (John…
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The hours are ticking down to a new year and a new decade! Whether 2019 was a good year or bad year, let it go. Mourn or celebrate then bid 2019 adieu. A new year and decade are before you. Here are a few thoughts to launch strong into 2020 and beyond. * Be Creative.…
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A few weeks ago, Christie was at an event while I was home with the kids. Later that afternoon, I made a pizza run. About a mile away I got a call. While playing outside, my nine-year-old daughter, Jubilee, went into a seizure. One of my other kids was alone with her when it happened…
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The auto-correct on my phone once tried to change the word “minister” to “monster.” Funny, yet sobering. It gave me pause. It gives me pause now. Ministry is tough. Pastoring is, at times, a monster itself. Peter Drucker, the late leadership guru and author of The Effective Executive, once shared what he believed to be…
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My grandmother Lockhart died decades ago a lover of Jesus. One morning her close friend, Ms. Velma, called my mom to tell her of a dream. She dreamed my grandmother walked out of her house onto a huge stage at a Christian concert. She was as beautiful as an angel, the star performer, and sang…
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I’ve had it all wrong. Many well-meaning motivational speakers, best-selling authors, teachers, and preachers have had it wrong. Let me explain. I live with the threat of clinical depression crushing me at any moment. I pray, meditate on Scripture, experience community, take medication, see a therapist, eat clean, exercise, and do my best to get…
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Sexual abuse in the local church… It’s sickening that such words are in the same sentence. Sadly, this isn’t breaking news anymore. In fact, we recently learned of another scandal with the Catholic Church, the sexual abuse of nuns. This on top of the years of reports of sexual abuse by priests and the cover-up…
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It often takes me a while to respond to current events that shake our culture.. I try to understand all views best I can and then process and pray on it until I feel ready to contribute to the fall-out. First, I’d ask you to please read my post, “Of Politics and Presidents: A Letter…
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Sitting in the doctor’s office the other day, I came across a National Geographic Magazine piece titled, “The Story of a Face.” Joanna Connors writes: “We are born seeking faces. Newborns turn toward them during their first moments out of the womb. Babies observe, respond to, and mimic our expressions as though it’s their job.…
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