This morning I heard a renowned pediatrician and child psychologist on Christian radio talking about the important role a father plays in a child’s life. It caused me to reflect on my dad, and the effect his presence has had on my life. It’s well known that our childhood experience drives us toward certain behaviors or attitudes, sometimes carried throughout our adult lives. No one had it perfect. Where there was lack, we often seek to fill the void, sometimes with things that bring more pain than blessing. If we’re honest, in different ways we’re all broken people—in need of…
Our Greatest Spiritual Weapon
Do you have a quiet place you go to be alone with God? A place where you pour out your prayers and praises and seek His counsel? For me, during my early years as a Christian in high school and college, a local park and nearby beaches were my special places. I loved to sit and watch the tide roll in, reminding me of God’s faithfulness as I quieted my heart in His presence. Today, I have my comfy chair at home. Quiet time with the Lord is imperative if we want to maintain peace in our lives. Jesus tells…
Pray-oritize Your Life
I’ll never forget the night Joe showed up at our home Bible fellowship. After 15 years of dealing drugs and heroin addiction, he had come to a dead end and was ready to give his life to Jesus Christ. In the ensuing weeks and months, for Joe, all things truly became new in Christ. To this day, rarely have I ever witnessed such a dramatic change in someone’s life. The Scriptures describe the “new nature” we receive spiritually when we turn over the reins of our lives to Jesus and make Him Lord. As life moves from being all about…
Starting the New Year Strong
A new year brings hope, a sense of new beginnings and better days. For many, it’s a time to redefine goals and sharpen our focus on what is truly important. As Christians, perhaps now more than ever we need to stay strong in the Lord. Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Ephesians 6:10) This verse begins a section of scripture—Ephesians 6:10-17—which gives us the crucial reminder that at its core, life is spiritual. We’re to “put on” the armor of God to ready ourselves for the spiritual battle at hand, and to be victors in this…
You Are Not Alone
Friday night I attended a special meeting at church for those who are grieving or have experienced loss around the holidays. With me was our good friend R., who recently lost his mother. It was a quiet, healing time for all. Some, like R., who lost a loved one this year, were deeply comforted by the love of God shared and simply being together. Others, like myself, had time to reflect on other kinds of losses we have experienced, and how God’s grace and goodness have carried us through. Jesus tells us that here on earth there will be sorrow,…
