This morning I was thinking about Peter when he took a big risk by stepping out of his boat on to the water (Matthew 14:22-32).  Three thoughts captured my attention: Peter asked, “Lord if it’s you…  tell me to come to you on the water.”   That is a great question to ask  “Lord if it is you?”    People who let God lead them to where He wants them find incredible opportunities to be involved in things beyond them. Even If it is the Lord saying, “Come join me”, there will be intimidating problems, threatening elements, and frightening experiences that will wash over us. ...

If you read my blog last week, did you join me in the quest of being a “morning-by-morning” person? We live in a world that tries to diminish us to a low level of scurrying mindlessly and frantically–slaves to our own agendas. If not careful, our biggest prayers are asking God to soften the edges of life’s difficulties rather than asking for the courage to live life at our best and to pursue a path of righteousness and faith. Life is difficult! There is a memorable passage concerning Jeremiah, when worn down by the harshness of life. He was absorbed in self-pity, about...

Being a morning person has not been an easy adjustment for me. A few years ago, it would be adequate to say that I could stay the course long into the night, but I would be a bear in the morning. Whether your preference is to stay up late and sleep in, or hit the sack early and rise before the sun, as Christ followers, we are all morning people. A Christ follower is a “morning person”. In fact, we are “morning-by-morning” people! If we don’t find the morning-by-morning way to live the Christian life, we might find it very difficult to finish well in life. Without...

You could list numerous reasons why Convoy of Hope (www.convoyofhope.org) is one of the leading 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that feeds the hungry and provides pure drinking water to people in need around the world.  One of the most important is their system of warehousing and distribution.  As a result, Convoy of Hope is a first responder to U.S. disasters.  Their mobile command center and fleet of semi-trucks allow them to respond quickly.  In 2005, Convoy of Hope was in more than 70 communities devastated by Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.  With the help of volunteers from...

A mirror is so helpful. I personally appreciate those double-sided lighted mirrors. One side has a standard mirror and the other a 5X magnification for use by individuals with low vision. It offers me the opportunity to take a brighter, clearer look at myself. It delivers improved clarity, especially when you have something stuck in your teeth and are expected to be out in public. James tells us that God’s Word is like a mirror. James 1:22-25 (NIV), “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says...

Ten days ago, my wife, Elli, and I set out on a vacation. Both of us needed a break from the normal routine of responsibilities. Just several days into our trip, I discovered that I was expecting each experience to bring a magic moment, you know, the one that brings peace, rest and joy. Following several great experiences, (27 holes of golf among the tall northwest pines high in the mountains, kayaking down a river, and leisurely sunning poolside) it hit me. There is no one singular event that brings all that we need. If we were going to get the rest and peace from our break, our experiences would...

Last week, we talked about what it means to live life through Christ. So what is the alternative?  Robbed, cheated, unfulfilled life, death and burial!  Conversely, learning to live (the Jesus life) embraces His plan for the pressures of life that pile on.  And they do pile on.  That’s where “learning to live life” becomes a priority.  Even though we cannot avoid the pressures of life, we can definitely learn to process the pressures and avoid being stuck in life.  Thus, the need for “learning.” We process the pressure by learning to live with purpose.  Make...

Learning to live life.  For me, this is what God seems to be echoing in my heart lately.  “Learning to live life.”  Why would I need to learn something that appears to be natural!  Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10) (NLT) This comparison between the enemy of our lives and Christ is simple:  There is the real potential that we could forfeit a full life by not choosing to do life through Christ.  By not doing life through Christ, we fail to benefit from the provision...

I’m fifty-three years old. If my life were divided into 12-month segments, I would be in August. Time goes by so fast! It seems like yesterday Elli and I were elbow deep in raising twin boys. Now, each time I spend time with my grandchildren, I am reminded of having kids at home and how it all began with a wedding August 20, 1976. As I grow older, I am learning that beginnings are brief and somewhat already out of our control, but how we finish is completely up to us. Finishing well is one of life’s greatest challenges. Life is a journey and a process. Finishing well involves making...

This one is for all the dads out there who are asking the question, “Am I doing the ‘Dad thing’ correctly?”  Also to those like me who know, after the fact, that we could have done better. My son Levi made me aware of a book entitled The Nine Lessons by Kevin Alan Milne.  I am more than half way through the book – far enough to take in the story line – and it has gripped me.  The story is based upon life-lessons, specifically in parenting.  These lessons are learned in unexpected ways from unexpected sources, namely golf.  OK, those of you who know me – you got me.  Actually,...