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Category Archives: Christian Living
Rightsizing
One of the few benefits in this stumbling economy is that we all get cut a little slack.
Three years ago, if our business was failing, we were a foolhardy entrepreneur. If we were laid off from work, we were a bad employee. If we were unable to pay our mortgage we were reckless.
Nowadays, those of us who are struggling are able to blame the economy and get somewhat of a pass. It’s because misery has plenty of company.
But, if most of us are honest with ourselves, we’ll realize the difficult economy didn’t cause the problem. It merely exposed the problem. We were all living above our pay grade.
Posted in Christian Living, Marriage Enrichment, Men's Ministry, Workplace Ministry
Tagged budgets, contentment, faith, God, Jesus, money, stewardship, workplace ministry
3 Comments
Circumstantial Evidence
How do we know God is really there? Is He listening to us? Does He truly care about me?
For most of us, we rely heavily on circumstantial evidence to answer these questions. We measure His worth through the blessings He shares in our life. If our bank account is hefty, we’re feeling safe and in control. If our children are healthy, we feel He’s answering our prayers. If our marriage is strong, we’re feeling loved by Him.
I May Be Wrong
There was a time in my life when I was always right.
I was fruit which hadn’t fallen far from the tree. Our family dinners resembled more of an English parliamentary debate than a special time for relationship building. We were all mouth and no ears when it came to our arguments, but at least in the end, each of us were always right.
None of us were still speaking with each other by the time it came to washing dishes. But that was okay. Winning was everything.
The Button That Will Change Your Life
“How do I change my life?”
Few topics have reaped more of a financial windfall than this foundational premise behind the self-help industry. The merchants of this commercial empire use talk shows, books, audio tapes and videos to tout radical insights in how people can change their lives to fulfill their greatest desires.
Most of the time, when we pursue these short lived efforts it results in having us throw up our arms in despair. Even worse, it may result in actual change which merely directs us more resolutely down a false pathway. Now, it takes us much longer to realize we’ve put all of our eggs into the wrong basket.
Posted in Christian Living, Evangelism, Exploring Faith, Marriage Enrichment, Men's Ministry, Workplace Ministry
Tagged change, choices, Christian, crystal meth, family life, God, Jesus, life-change, meth, ministry, renewal, self-help, transformation
2 Comments
The Ghost Train
Just enjoyed a three-day rafting trip on the Eel River in Northern California, and like most outdoor enthusiasts I’m experiencing a short memory. Fading in the background are the miseries of icy rain, trying to set up tents in 60 mile-per-hour gusts and the ensuing strains of mild hyperthermia. Our five-raft, two-kayak entourage was alone on the river for reasons the weather made obvious.
Left in my mind are the glorious visions of green rolling hills, a plethora of waterfalls, the adrenaline rush of Class 3’s and a Class 4, and the lulling pleasures of a Mark Twainesque journey. And then, of course, was the Ghost Train.
The Shoe Shine Glory
One of the amazing things about God is He teaches you in such unique ways and through the most unexpected teachers. My men’s Bible study learned this firsthand when we were joined about six months ago by a 68-year-old man name Ben.
Ben became a part of our group right after spending his prior three decades in federal prison. He was introduced to us by a Pastor in prison ministry who was concerned about Ben’s transition to the outside world and wanted our group of men to support him through the process. We embraced the challenge, looking forward to sharing our wisdom as Ben began his new life.
Finding Strength In The Desert
One of the most studied passages of the Bible depicts the temptation of Jesus Christ (Matt 4:1-11). After fasting for 40 days and nights in the desert, Jesus is tested by Satan, who offers him food, wealth and power. The traditional teaching portrays this as an example of Jesus resisting temptation when he was at the weakest, most vulnerable point in his nascent ministry.
But was Jesus really at his weakest?
In reality, he was isolated from the distractions and influence of the world, and reliant upon God the Father. Can we not learn from this how to rely on God’s strength and not our own?
Posted in Christian Living, Evangelism
Tagged Christian, difficult times, faith, God, hope, Jesus Christ, pain, Real God, Real Life, suffering
2 Comments
Does Your Marriage Need Glasses?
Remember your wedding day? With a few notable exceptions, most will describe the weeks before, during and after the ceremony as one of the most exciting times of their lives.
But, then what happened? Where went the passion, excitement and adventure of it all? Is marriage destined to have the shelf life of a loaf of bread, growing stale and moldy as each day passes?
Contrary to the persuasions of the world, it’s not wrinkles, stretch marks and bald spots that wear down the joy. It’s what’s referred to as “The Drift.” This is a phenomenon where day by day and year by year, we slowly drift apart, trending back toward the life of selfishness and loneliness we were accustomed to prior to getting married.
The Terrible Truth About Christians
Christians really have the unique ability to drive people nuts. Most other folks of faith are pretty good about keeping to themselves and staying out of other people’s business. But the same can’t be said of us Holy Rolling, Bible Thumpers.
The reality is there truly is a diamond hidden amongst all of that bothersome coal, and if you can somehow get past our many shortcomings, you’ll discover our hearts are in the right place.
So before you give up on us completely, here are a few helpful things you should know about Christians.
Posted in Christian Living, Evangelism, Exploring Faith
Tagged christian entrepreneur, christians, Evangelism, faith, gospel, michael k. reynolds, sharing faith, terrible truth, truth
15 Comments
The Chosen Instrument
As can often be the case, one of the low points of my Christian life came immediately after a spiritual high. At the time I was playing guitar for a praise team and we had just finished leading some riveting worship as a guest band for a neighboring local church.
A longtime business client of mine who was a regular attendee of the church came up to me right afterwards and with much enthusiasm shared, “Wow. That was so great to see you up there. I didn’t know you were a Christian.” (Yes. You could actually hear the air surging out of my high and holy balloon.)
