More Than a Hobby
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19For most people I know, fishing is a hobby. Some approach it casually, picking up a pole and dipping a few worms in the...
View ArticleAt Just The Right Time
When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son. —Galatians 4:4Why is being on time so challenging for some of us? Even when we start early, something inevitably gets in our way to make...
View ArticleBorn Free
“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36I remember one commute when I ended up following a busted-up pickup truck that sported a bumper sticker proudly announcing, BORN FREE. As I...
View ArticleWhat We Really Need
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing’” Revelation 3:17Veruca Salt, one of the not-so-sweet characters in Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was notorious...
View ArticleGetting Over Me Part 2
"Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you." Philippians 3:1What do you value most in life? Joe Stowell...
View ArticleGetting Along
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Psalm 133:1I can still remember what it was like to take our family on vacation, only to have the kids in the...
View ArticleLike There’s No Tomorrow
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.” James 4:14I expected some challenges when I took on the presidency of Moody Bible Institute, but I never expected a death threat. It happened...
View ArticleCross Bearing
“Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38Right now it’s summer! When I’m wearing flip-flops to the grocery store and running the air conditioner in my car....
View ArticleV.I.P Treatment
“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.” Deuteronomy 6:6A quick read through the Old Testament leaves no doubt that God wants His people to take His Word seriously. The...
View ArticleSetting the Record Straight
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 1:14Baseball fans will always remember the 2007 season—an interesting...
View ArticleConnectedly Challenged
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you.” John 15:4I’ll never forget the time I bought a new stereo system. I brought the boxes home and carefully unwrapped each piece of equipment. I spread everything...
View ArticleWho’s in the Spotlight?
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31If you’ve been around the world of golf for long, you know that winning the coveted “Green Jacket” at the Masters is arguably the...
View ArticleGetting Over Me Part 3
"Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you." Philippians 3:1“Get over yourself.” We all struggle with...
View ArticleWall-Bangers Anonymous
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. —James 1:2I’ll never forget the time during college when, after I had finished writing a big paper that was due the next day, I heard a...
View ArticleDon’t Feed the Bears
“Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.” Psalm 105:2-3Each year over 3.5 million people visit...
View ArticleWhat’s Really Good For Us?
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18U.S. News & World Report previously ran a...
View ArticleWelcome to the Complaint Department
“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?” Psalm 13:1In one of my favorite children’s books Oh, the Places You’ll Go! the great philosopher Dr. Seuss writes about the ups and downs of life....
View ArticleWhat Has He Done For You Lately?
“I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34:1My friend Frank Tanana, who pitched the Detroit Tigers into the American League Championship Series, has an...
View ArticleHappy Holidays
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6At the risk of sounding a little cynical, I have to tell you that I sometimes wonder if some of our...
View ArticleTrouble With Life Part 1
"Both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband." Ruth 1:5Tucked away in the Old Testament, you’ll find Ruth—a brief yet powerful book that shares the...
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