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The Lesson of Nice

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 that regardless of whether one is rich or poor, wise or unwise, prepared or unprepared, young or old, the storms of life will come. These storms come in many forms. Last night the storm of terror swept over Nice, France. There is outrage, sadness and fear. Once again, the question is asked: “Why is this happening?” The answer is that we live in a sin-cursed world. We are told we can be safe. Yet we are shocked to find out there is no safety. We believe we can protect ourselves. We believe that we are entitled to safety and peace. But we are being rudely awakened to the reality that these beliefs are a lie. […]

What About Pokémon Go?

Pokémon Go has done something few electronic games have done: it gets users on the move. Nintendo has merged the real world with the virtual. Users, through the window of their portable gaming device, are out and about hunting for Pokémons, short for pocket monsters. In 1996 Nintendo introduced the Pokémon phenomena in Japan. In 20 years Pokémon has indelibly stamped its impression on the gaming universe. Originally there were 151 of the pocket monsters to find. Today there are 718. The Pokémon home page estimates there are over 20 million daily users of Pokémon Go. There is a popular Pokémon TV cartoon show which has over 800 episodes and counting. Over 21.5 Billion Pokémon Trading Cards have been sold […]

Praying For More

It is easy to pray for good things. You want our loved ones to be healthy and safe. You want the unrest and violence in our country to end. You want your children to follow God. You want those suffering with sickness to be healed. You want joy to be restored in your marriage. These are good things. But do you have the courage to pray for something more? You sell God short when you only ask for things that seem to good to you.  In the prayer of our Lord, Christ gives us something better to ask for: he asks that God’s kingdom will come and that his will be done. This request requires trust in God. This is […]

Leading Or Pushing?

Do you lead your children or do you push them? Leading is born out of love and pushing is born out of frustration. For example, pushing your children towards obedience is evidenced when you tell your children that you demand obedience and speak sharply to them because you love them and only want the best for them. Children are seldom convinced they are loved in this way. It appears to them as if they are being pushed into doing what mom and dad want. In contrast, leading in love means that sharp words are replaced with pleasant words. Demands are replaced with understanding leadership that recognizes the battles with sin are not won by force of will but by dependence on […]

When You Are Afraid

The world is a scary place. You don’t know when or where the next mass killer will strike. You cannot will your children to safety. You cannot wish cancer away. You cannot remove the drunk driver from the road. You cannot force world leaders to be wise and responsible. You cannot stop dangers on the playground or even in your backyard. You cannot stop the hurricane or earthquake. In short, you cannot eliminate the things that bring fear in this life. If this is true, how can you know peace? How can you avoid being dominated by fear? Even in scary times, God calls you to trust him. Here is what the Holy Spirit says to you from Psalm 56:3-4: […]

185 words of perspective from the Holy Spirit

The Bible is a precious gift. It is tells you about life. It provides perspective in troubled times. If your heart is troubled this morning take refuge in these 185 words. Psalm 37:1-11 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, […]

Help your children to become salt and light

Last night 12 Dallas police officers were targeted and ambushed. At least 5 are dead. This morning thousands of law enforcement officers will go to work knowing that they too are potential targets of ambush. Why? Because they are committed to something more than their own good. As Paul says in Romans 13, those in law enforcement are “God’s servants for your good”. It is important to pray for the broken and hurting in Dallas. Indeed, pray for the safety of all of those in law enforcement. But it is equally important that we do more than pray. Christians must have the courage to be salt and light. We must stand for truth. We must not be part of the […]

Children: Gift Or Trial?

You introduce your children to a new friend. With a big smile you say, “Here is my collection of living, breathing trials. I can’t wait for you to meet them.” Your friend says, “Did you just call your children trials?!?” You reply, “Yes, yes I did. Honesty is the best policy and honestly, trials are exactly what they are, all three of them. Care for lunch?” I know, sort of a bizarre conversation, isn’t it. Or is it? When things are challenging with your children, it is easier to think of them as trials rather than gifts from God. The reality is that both descriptors, trials and gifts, are accurate biblical terms to describe your children. In places like Deuteronomy […]

Three Marks Of Effective Discipline

If discipline is to be effective it must contain at least 3 three qualities. Otherwise the discipline will not result in growth but frustration. It is vital that you, as a parent, see discipline as something that is positive and not punitive. Discipline is not about retribution or getting even. Discipline has the goal of producing peace. Without that goal, discipline becomes a manipulate tool that will drive your children far from you. Hebrews 12:11 provides this positive view of discipline: For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. There are three important parts to this verse. Discipline is painful rather […]

On Loving Life

How can you love life and not be disappointed? How can you love life and not run the risk of being hurt? How can you love life when life is hard? Are there answers to these questions that you can trust? David, the warrior king, has those answers. In Psalm 34 David makes a passionate call to God’s people. His entreaty is tender, full of hope. Like his son, Solomon, he knows the seductive voice of the woman folly also calls out to Israel. In response, David says this in verse 11: “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” The king does not demand or scold. He reaches out his hand, as […]