Category Archives: I Wish Someone Had Told Me This When I Was Young

“This Is All That’s Left”

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all-thats-left“I can’t believe it. After her whole lifetime, this is all that’s left.”

Kathy said that Friday as she stood in the front corner bedroom where the remainder of her mother’s possessions were. They buried her four days earlier.

I had to agree, it’s remarkable. Her house was sold a few years ago, all her possessions were sold, donated, or thrown away. Only a tiny fraction of what she owned was claimed by family members.

“. . . this is all that’s left.”

After making that statement Kathy continued to clean out the bedroom. It’s empty now. I know that because I can hear the Continue reading →

Senna Part 2–Teach us to number our days: Psalm 90:12

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Ayrton Senna bible verse

(From the archives.)

The story of Formula 1 race car driver, Ayrton Senna is so compelling that I couldn’t help but write this post to let you know how the whole thing ended. After his victory over his rival Alain Prost (see post on Genesis 33 to read Part 1 of Senna’s story) he went on to win two more world championships. Ayrton Senna was a flawed man, yet greatly loved in his native Brazil, and around the world, for his humble, unassuming nature. In an interview after winning his third world title, Senna talked about how he was happiest when he was learning and improving as a driver, and also as a man. At the end of the interview he made this comment:

“There is a lot to go, a lot to learn, a lot to live, but I have plenty of time.”

I don’t know anything about Ayrton Senna’s beliefs or theology, but I do know that shortly after that interview, on Sunday, May 1, 1994, the morning of the San Marino Grand Prix, Senna woke up and asked God to talk to him. He opened his Bible to a verse that, according to his sister, said Continue reading →

She’s Gone

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She’s gone.

She died.

Just like that.

You always think you have more time.

Matthew 24:44

Someone I Love Lies Dying In My Bedroom Right Now

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time-is-running-out-by-glasgows-finest-ccAs I write this someone I love lies dying in my bedroom.

Life is short.

Life is fragile.

Live for Jesus.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” –Jesus Christ

[Time Is Running Out Image via glasgow’s finest – Creative Commons]

Maybe The Most Undervalued Verse In The Bible (Or how to fail at guarding your heart)

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heart-via-pixabay-no-attribution-required(Read Proverbs chapter 4)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV

How To Fail To Guard Your Heart

The writer of Proverbs chapter four is sharing wisdom with his sons. He spends much of the chapter admonishing them to listen to his words and to value wisdom highly. Then, toward the end, he says what he says in verse 23, “Above all else, guard your heart . . .”

“Above all else,” he says.

This instruction, which is at the very least Continue reading →

This Is Where You Want To Be In Life

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Tolentino_Basilica_di_San_Nicola_Cappellone_14 via Wiki-labeled for reuse on Google Images

This is where you want to be in life: The place where you love Jesus so much, you live to do his will, to bless him, to please him.

Image via Wikipedia-labeled for reuse on Google Images, Italian, early 14th century

Does God Want Me To Be A Patriot? Thoughts On Independence Day

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sunset-flag-america-fields-large via pexels - labeled for reuse on google images

Independence Day

It’s 3:30 in the afternoon, at the time of this writing, on the 4th of July, Independence Day. And I’m thinking about patriotism. I wonder about it sometimes, patriotism, because sometimes it can lead to decisions that hurt another human being simply because someone isn’t from our own particular country. So I get that there are problems with patriotism. Those problems make me wonder what God wants from us. They make me wonder if he wants me, and you, to be patriotic.

What Does The Bible Say? Continue reading →

Is Believing In Jesus All That’s Required? (Because after all, Jesus gave us commands)–John 6:22-40

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Marriage via pixabay - Public Domain

We left off in our study of the book of John with Jesus allowing his disciples to be battered about by a storm. There may have been a good reason for that. If you’re interested you can read the last post from the Gospel of John here: What It Takes To Be Glad About Jesus: John 6:16-21.

The Work Of God

The morning after the storm, what the crowd saw was that Jesus sent his disciples over to the other side of the sea of Galilee in a boat, and then he himself hiked up a mountain to pray. What they didn’t see was Continue reading →

The Article About Anger That Might Make You Angry

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Josep_Vergara,_Caïm_i_Abel (1)

Cain and Abel by Josep Vergara, 18th Century

The Article About Anger That Might Make You Angry

I have to confess, I was reluctant to write and publish this article about anger, because I’m concerned it will make people angry. But maybe in spite of my better judgment . . .

Jesus Nerd

If you follow my Twitter, Facebook, or Google+ accounts you know I put up scripture on these almost every day. More than one person has criticized me for it, but what can I say — I’m a Jesus nerd. I’m completely fascinated by this ancient Jewish Rabbi, so much so that I just can’t help myself. I want to learn all that I can about him, and I want to share him with others. Anyway, recently, on Facebook, I posted the words from Jesus, “. . . I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…” (Matthew 5:22) And a friend of mine, Danny, asked in the comment section, “What do you think is meant by ‘brother’?” Continue reading →

Orlando Shooting: The Hard Part Most Are Missing

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Shooting_at_Pulse_Nightclub-Wikimedia Commons

Emergency vehicles on scene at the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando

I just want to share a few thoughts on the Orlando Shooting. Thought number three in particular is the most difficult and it applies to you, and to me.

1) It’s a horrible tragedy. This was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Fifty died, and fifty-three were injured. My heart breaks for the victims and their families. They’re in my prayers and I hope they’re in your prayers too.

2) We need to guard against acts of terror in the most sensible and effective way possible. This is where everybody wants to go when they discuss the Orlando tragedy. This is the part that’s most popular in the media and in the blogosphere. I have my own opinions, but the purpose of this blog isn’t to offer up the actions I believe we should take to prevent attacks like this one. The purpose of this blog post is to focus on something more difficult.

3) The hard part, the most difficult thing we need to guard against, is this: Continue reading →