A New Career
"Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him." Matthew 4:22For some guys, the annual fishing trip is the highlight of their calendar. They stay in cozy cabins and spend long days...
View ArticleInside Out
"Out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, . . . blasphemy, pride, foolishness." Mark 7:21-22Shopping for a melon is a...
View ArticleMaking Hell Happy
“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18I was guest preaching at a church when a woman who had waited in line to talk to me told me that she was...
View ArticleFatal Flaws
“All these people were still living by faith when they died.” Hebrews 11:13If you’re a fan of Shakespeare, you know that his heroes always have a serious character flaw. I guess it’s what makes for a...
View ArticleJesus: The Ultimate Joy of Life
“That my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11I was seated next to Billy Graham at a dinner in North Carolina. I don’t know how you would have felt, but, given the...
View ArticleThe Trouble with “One Another”
“As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35Clutching his blanket, and with unusual determination in his voice, Linus...
View ArticleThe Muchness of God
“The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16 NASBQuite frankly, I’m “out” on posh restaurants that have things on the menu you can’t even pronounce and nothing to show for...
View ArticleFinding Jesus
"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32If I asked the question, “Where’s Waldo?” you might recall...
View ArticleIn The Driver’s Seat
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." —Matthew 5:16 I love the story of the stressed-out woman who was tailgating a man as they...
View ArticleWhat Do You Think of Jesus?
“Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15When Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say I am?”—He wasn’t having an identity crisis nor was He feeling insecure about His reputation. He passed out the quiz...
View ArticleDon’t Look Back
“They were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.” Hebrews 11:16Have you ever felt the pull of past comforts, wishing things could go back to the way they used to be? Imagine how Abraham felt....
View ArticleWilderness Experiences
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Matthew 4:1 ESVIs it just me, or does it seem like Americans have become increasingly fascinated with things like...
View ArticleJesus, or Me?
“I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:8One of my all-time favorite memories about our kids was the time my then 7-year-old...
View ArticleGet a Haircut
“These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me.” Matthew 15:8There we were, sitting in the middle of a statewide meeting for ministry leaders when the pastor of a large church...
View ArticleReturn On Investment
"You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit." 1 Corinthians 6:20 Long before the US professional baseball season begins each spring, team owners and managers are...
View ArticleProductive Pain
"All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 I’ll never forget when our youngest child Matthew fell and broke his wrist....
View ArticleAt the Core of the Crowd
“Now the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were all gathering around to hear him.” Luke 15:1If Jesus were to walk into your town today, I wonder what kind of people He would attract. If you were like the...
View ArticleBraggin’ Rights
“Rejoice in the Lord!” Philippians 3:1When Paul advised the Philippians that they should “rejoice in the Lord” he wasn’t telling them to be 24/7 “happy in Jesus” smile machines. I don’t know about you,...
View ArticleCrisis in Kokomo
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed… so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body.” Philippians 1:20The little airfield affectionately referred to as “Kokomo...
View ArticleWho Me, A Wretch?
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8There are a few hymns that I really like, and “Amazing Grace” is one of them. But somehow, like so many other familiar tunes, the weight of...
View Article