How Can I Know If My Teen Is Using Drugs?
Ask Roger and Julie I suspect my teenage daughter is using drugs. Her behavior has changed drastically. She is unmotivated, rebellious, and secretive. How can I know for sure, and…
Ask Roger and Julie I suspect my teenage daughter is using drugs. Her behavior has changed drastically. She is unmotivated, rebellious, and secretive. How can I know for sure, and…
Have you ever been sucked into a shame spiral? Nasty stuff. Shame is a fear-based state accompanied by feelings of being unworthy and unlovable. You may feel powerless, abandoned, worthless.…
How do you handle criticism? How does one protect himself from the “scourge of the tongue” (Job 5:21)? If you are going to be successful in the Lord’s work, you…
Psalm 121: “I lift up mine eyes to the hills— Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, The Maker of Heaven and earth.. He will…
Psalm 120: 6-7 “Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war.” “I’m coming…
Emmeline Wetherbee shares what she loves about her godly father, Brad Wetherbee in this humorous yet compelling interview..
2 Kings 23:1 “King Josiah sent word and they brought to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. 2 The king went up to the house of the Lord, and with…
Why should I hope in heaven instead of this dark world? Remember that eternal life starts now. Jesus said in John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life; that they may know You,…
Dear Roger, My kids are asking all kinds of questions about Santa, including whether or not Santa was a Christian! They’re old enough to understand Santa isn’t real, but I…
Christmas is filled with images of angels atop our trees and lighting our front yards. But very few of us know how amazing and powerful they are. Most people…
What’s In a Name? Global positioning systems-what a boon to those of us who find ourselves directionally-challenged. We all need “GPS” assistance in our lives. Some of us are…
Carey Nieuwhof and New York Best-Selling Author discuss the importance of honest communication. www.careynieuwhof.com.
“I have fought long and hard for my Lord, and through it all I have kept true to him. And now the time has come for me to stop fighting…
In my troubles I pled with God to help me and he did! Deliver me, O Lord, from liars. O lying tongue, what shall be your fate? You shall be pierced with sharp…
“The Lord is Your keeper. The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.” Psalm 121 Psalm…
Children are a gift from God; they are his reward. 4 Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows to defend him. Happy is the man who has his quiver…
“Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1b KJV Watchmen were always stationed on the walls of Jerusalem to detect the stealthy approach…
“Unless the Lord builds the house, they that build it labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1 KJV “Unless the Lord builds” is a conditional clause. If God doesn’t lay the foundation,…
Stand for Truth, a wonderful Christian news organization in the Philippines compiled these quotes. EVERY PERSON should read these chilling words: 1. CAESAR BORGIA—Italian nobleman, politician, and cardinal: “While I…
I have a besetting sin. A big one. I am angry. I have serious lung issues and I am immunocompromised. Long before COVID, I lived in fear of lugging an…
To some, the dark tone is Psalm 130 seems incongruous with the victorious praise you would expect from a “spiritual young man or woman.” The difference between a maturing Christian…
Jesus gave us a clear picture of what “readiness” looks like in his parable about wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-8: “At that time the kingdom of heaven will…
Paul, in his first epistle to the Thessalonians, clarified further what the concept of “being ready for the coming of the Lord” is all about. He used the same analogy-being…
Samson’s life story is in Judges 13-16, and John’s is revealed in Luke 1-3, Matthew 14:10. Central to Samson’s life is that “he will begin to rescue Israel from the…
The call on John’s life is like no other—he is to prepare the world for God’s only Son. From the womb, the Holy Spirit directs John that he will be…
Walking on the beach of the Sea of Galilee Jesus sees two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew fishing in a boat. Jesus calls out, “Come along with me… And they…
How well does Jesus know me? Well enough for me to trust Him with my life? The answer is “yes.” In the following verses we will learn that Jesus knows…
Four of my closest friends are widows. Jennifer, a pastor’s wife, lost her godly spouse after his long, grueling bout with brain cancer. My friend Eileen walked into her bedroom…
Of course, Jesus’ entire ministry was spent “passing the torch.” He devoted three and one-half years modeling ministry in front of his disciples. Before ascending into heaven, Christ gave his…
Paul, the apostle, probably gave us the most pragmatic model for making a successful transition in leadership. He penned thirteen New Testament epistles for the sole purpose of helping the…
The prophet Elisha had some pretty big shoes to fill. Elijah, his “father in the faith,” had called fire down from heaven and single-handedly slaughtered the prophets of Baal. Soon…
Passing the baton is an art. Whether it’s the synchronicity of an Olympic relay team, the power transfer from one regime to the next, or the transition of CEO leadership…
A rock opera written by Julie Barrier in the vein of Jesus Christ Superstar. In his classic allegory, Bunyan dreamed of a man named Christian, who was tormented by spiritual…
What are you afraid of? Bugs give me the willies. Always have, always will. If I had my way, I’d strap a ten-pound can of Raid to my back and…
How can you become heavenly-minded and hopeful? 1. Remember that eternal life starts now. Jesus said in John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life; that they may know You, the only eternal…
Plagues and suffering have often produced the greatest hymns of hope, help and joy! Read the lyrics of songwriters who rose above darkness, depression and disease by singing praise. See…
Jesus came to the earth three times: He came humbly as a baby, He came secretly at the Rapture and He came victoriously as King and Judge. Examine these three…
We all face death. Every day. Especially this year. How do you cope? 1. Don’t fear death. Anticipate it with joy. Paul said it best, “And I trust that my…
Jesus assures us that we can cast our cares upon Him. Why don’t we experience His presence and peace? 19th century pastor Charles Jefferson wrote, “Be kind to everyone you meet,…
GOD CAME TO US AND OFFERED HIMSELF. HOW DO WE RETURN TO HIM? Psalm 51, was penned by David immediately after Nathan the prophet had confronted him. It is one…
This is one of my favorite prayers, expressing the power and presence of God: The Prayer of Saint Patrick I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the…
How can you have a thankful heart today? The very quality of your life, whether you love it or hate it, is based upon how thankful you are toward God.…
Our world is always one push-button away from annihilation. If stocks plunge, nest eggs disappear. Pandemic fears fill our hearts. Don’t even get me started discussing global warming, moral depravity…
Have you received devastating news? Divorce? Disillusionment over current events? Perhaps, like Job, everything in your life seems to be falling apart and you are just waiting for the other…
Our world is always one push-button away from annihilation. If stocks plunge, nest eggs disappear. Pandemic fears fill our hearts. Don’t even get me started discussing global warming, moral depravity…
All of us have been shaped by the words of Billy Graham, whether we know it or not. Here are his most beloved words. Let them inspire and transform you…
THE ART OF FORGIVENESS Warren Wiersbe wrote in his commentary Be Skillful: “It’s strange but true that some of God’s people will forgive offenses from unbelievers that they would never…
“Conscience is what makes a boy tell his mother before his sister does.” ― Evan Esar “It is neither right nor safe to go against my conscience.” ― Martin Luther…
Have you ever thought of sleep as a gift? Symbolically, it means God the Father wants to teach you the rest you can experience by trusting in Him. Hebrews 4:9…
You can KNOW what to pray. Jesus knew what was in the heart of every man and woman and it was not always what he or she thought they needed.…
Have you learned to live an abundant life despite circumstances? God’s plan is to renew us. Every day is a new adventure. He renews our minds with his Word. He…
How can you become heavenly-minded and hopeful? 1. Remember that eternal life starts now. Jesus said in John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life; that they may know You, the only eternal God…
We live in uncertain times. But God is not surprised. Solomon wrote these words in Psalm 127: “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.…
Self-help manuals might get you through a bad mood or a rough patch. But does God have a word for the dark nights of the soul? He does. The promise…
Kids are the best comforters! I was five when I was diagnosed with scarlet fever and pneumonia and imprisoned (I mean quarantined) at home for four months! My kindergarten buddies…
This is one of my favorite prayers, expressing the power and presence of God: The Prayer of Saint Patrick I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the…
My Daddy was an extrovert. He never met a stranger. Dad, a consummate salesman, built a successful construction company from the ground up. Pop was a joiner! He served as…
Sarah is my favorite woman in the Bible. Flawed but faithful, she inspires me to finish my race well. Although I stumble and struggle along the way, I know I will…
Don’t be stingy with your stuffing. Don’t be tight with your tortilla casserole. Abigail, the consummate hostess, was the Martha Stewart of her day. She calmly faced an army of…
Countless American families hastily evacuated their homes due to fires, floods or hurricanes. The stories of their frantic retreats are remarkably similar. They rescue two things as they rush out…
I have two sets of parents. Both couples were wed during the Jurassic period (not really). Both were married almost 60 years. I watched each twosome grow old together. One…
What is the origin of Halloween? According to historians many believe it began with the ‘Summer’s End’ festival, or Samhain celebrated 2,000 years ago as the beginning of the Celtic year. During…
My husband’s father, Roger Sr., was an amazing mentor. He intentionally instilled values in his growing young sons. What a man! What a legacy! Roger’s Dad repeatedly quipped pithy sayings…
My best friend Abby was widowed at 44. Her husband John passed away from sleep apnea. He was healthy. No warning. Four little faces greeted Mom at the breakfast table.…
Forget online matchmaking sites. If you need some tips on finding love, perhaps these weird and wonderful Old Testament tales will inspire you. We will also examine four passionate Bible…
You shed crocodile tears when your little cherub bravely entered the kindergarten door, Sponge Bob backpack in tow. You watched your tyke kick his first soccer goal. You rejoiced…
My doctor started it. Medical charts don’t lie. He knows how old I am. I’ve tried all of the tricks: photo-shopping, neck-covering and youthful clothes. But, truth be told, I’m…
Bankruptcy. Unemployment. Health insurance. Rising prices….Are you scared spitless about your economic future? Do you hide your credit card bills under the bed? Are you clueless about how to control…
King Solomon penned Psalm 127. He was not the model father. God dubbed made the flamboyant monarch the wisest man on earth. When you read Psalm 127, you’ll notice…
You never stop being a mom. From the day you learn you have a bun in the oven to the day you breathe your last, your child is always on…
How do you treat your elders? Do you respect your aging parents, your frail grandmother, your annoying aunt with dementia? Do you consider them an inspiration, an inconvenience, or both?…
I had the most remarkable encounter with God today. I was meditating upon Jesus on the cross, and, after decades of being a Christian, God revealed to me an aspect…
My first encounter with my daughter’s guardian angel was on a sunny summer afternoon in the back bedroom of our house. Curly-haired, chubby-cheeked Brianna was 10 months old. Brie could…
Jesus’ great, great, great, great grannies were all REALLY bad girls (except for Mary, of course). Matthew mentions five women in the royal line of the Messiah: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth,…
Anger is a God-given emotion. Which of these statements about anger is true? “I should never allow myself to become angry.” “Anger can become a sin, and that’s okay.” “The…
Are you miserable, disgruntled, discontent or just plain crabby? Solomon’s initial words in Ecclesiastes will cause you to grow gloomy, desperate, even suicidal. But, believe it or not, the most…
Preachers have provided us with a plethora of postulations. I think I have a pretty definitive answer to that question. Here are some lame ones. Was Jesus doodling to stall…
Can movies and media featuring sexual assault and domination set us back decades by degrading women and advocating masochism and bondage? Debbie Holloway of Crosswalk writes: “It takes very little research…
The black and orange holiday is here. You may be ready to don your red spandex Iron Man suit to trick or treat with your child. I personally like to…
Two years ago, I sat in a sterile, dark bedroom for months, isolated, gasping for air. My doctors’ orders? Ninety doses of the strongest antibiotic known to man, central…
Worship wars? They’ve existed for eons. In the Middle Ages, Catholic priests flayed innovative composers who added extra turns to their “tried and true” plainchant. Denominations have divided over worship…
You can make a difference in how your child transitions from summer to school year. Joyce Wilson of Teacher Spark shares her secrets. (Don’t forget to click the links. They…
The sharpened steel axe blade cracked her skull like an eggshell. Awakened out of a deep sleep, Beth fell to the floor in a heap, limp and blood-soaked. In spite…
We all know Moses’ Hebrew mother, Jochabed, and his famous brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam. But who was this brave Egyptian princess? Her story is absolutely remarkable!! Here are…
Happy Birthday! Or is it? Do you feel discouraged and depressed with every passing year? I’ve heard many older people say, “My body tells me I’m old, but my…
All of us have been shaped by the words of Billy Graham, whether we know it or not. Here are his most beloved words. Let them inspire and transform…
Can a wife be both strong and submissive? A tough question….Here’s my story. I’ll be brutally honest. My Dad wanted a son to take over his business. He had two…
Porn addiction is a man’s vice! Or is it? We know sexual voyeurism has exploded in today’s society. Approximately forty million people in the United States are sexually involved with…
Merry Christmas! Oh, excuse me! Seasons Greetings. Happy Holidays. Finding Jesus at Christmas is just like playing “Where’s Waldo.” Look hard. He’s nowhere to be found! I attended a middle school “Christmas”…
The Judean marketplace bustles with customers. The aroma of salted gefilte fish and the stench of human sweat fills the air. Jesus whips out His smartphone from beneath the folds…
Skipping rocks on the lapping waves. Cleaning fish and playing stickball. Playing hide and seek among the olive trees. John and Jesus were probably lifelong buddies. In fact, most historians…
Our neighborhood kids are in their yards gleefully decorating for Halloween. Cardboard witches, ghoulish ghosts and sticky spider webs cover the lawns. I have nothing against candy. Give me a…
How could younger people be more spiritual than their elders? The next generation sees God and the world more clearly than we do. Electronic Arts and Hollywood know their…
I lost my father this year. This will be my first Father’s Day without him. But God gave me the greatest gift/ I had a chance to interview him exactly…
Was Queen Vashti, King Xerxes’ ex-wife, as shallow and stubborn as we assume? I want you to ponder and puzzle with me. Queen Vashti’s gripping story is told in twelve…
New pastor or leader, how do you build trust between you and your staff and church members? Here’s a cautionary tale, and a little advice on HOW to be an…
My sister Kathy is remarkable. The Proverbs 31 woman falls short of her virtue. Kathy is the queen of compassion. She knows what is really important: loving Jesus and loving…
Our pets are precious to us. The Barrier family has owned a plethora of furry friends: a boisterous border collie, a cantankerous Corgi, a gregarious Golden Retriever and a…
When is the last time you so enjoyed spending time with others that you never looked at your watch, never checked your phone? Michael Hyatt, Don…
How personal and passionate is your love for God? We were designed to cling close to Him, believe in Him, rely upon Him and never, never leave His side. We are…
Does your child have the “back-to-school” jitters? Many kids dread going back to school…. unless they were incredibly bored during summer break! They face fragile self-esteem issues, fear unknown teachers…
“God shapes the world by prayer. The more prayer there is in the world, the better the world will be, the mightier the forces of good against evil …” – E.M. Bounds…
Impending doom seems to permeate our society. Past generations had no idea of the perils and plagues in other parts of the world. But we live in an information explosion.…
Thanksgiving conjures up memories of many friends whose delicious dishes have graced my holiday table: Colonel Sanders, Aunt Jemima, and, of course, Sara Lee. Nothing good ever emerged from my…
I just heard a bad sermon today (visiting friends, of course). I tried not to sleep through it. Forty-five minutes of meticulous theology rapidly delivered in a soft monotone. Zzzzzz…..…
Jesus cherished women! In a time when females were considered inferior to men and treated as property, Christ counted them among His most valued disciples and friends. I want you…
Jeff Foxworthy, the old, redneck comedian who readily admits that he is “not smarter than a fifth-grader” is wiser than he looks. In spite of his humble roots, Foxworthy teaches…
You are hurting, aren’t you? You are stressed. I know I am. How do you know you are worried and stressed? 42% of Americans experience these stress symptoms: anger, irritability,…
Atrocity and loss cause us to feel fearful, helpless and vulnerable in the face of an uncertain future. How can we help the poor, the refugee, the victim? What can…
Vets tell us that our canines have the emotional and intellectual capacity of two-year-olds. I beg to disagree. Toddlers are much dumber than dogs, and I have hard evidence to…
The slick, successful American church may have missed Him altogether. What if Jesus was asked to pastor your congregation. Would anybody come? And would they stay? A scruffy homeless dude…
My mother-in-law was a nag extraordinaire. Helen spread negativity like oily peanut butter on bread. “Papaw,” her doting husband, tuned her out 4 years after they married. Helen, bless her…
“Oh, my God!” Really? Is He? Oh…my…God: a standard response to everything from rage to surprise. I used to be shocked by those blasphemous words. I’m a closet HGTV…
Loving your mother-in-law can be a mixed bag. My mother-in-law made it abundantly clear that she didn’t approve of me from Day One. Her son, an angelic boy scout who…
Do you pack a prayer punch? Can you really change God’s mind? When do you go to the mat and contend for the victory? Should you ever face plant, belly-down,…
BLOCKBUSTER HITS. Superheroes, violence, war, miracles, and unbridled courage capture our hearts. Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken hits the theaters December 25th. Louie Zamperini will become a household name. This gripping tale…
What do hamsters, bunnies, Michener and Mozart have in common? They are known for being prolific. I tirelessly toiled to be a great composer. I certainly was prolific (in a…
Bewildered brides. Gloomy grooms. Panicky parents. Cynical clergymen. Will this marriage really last? Or will it dissolve into devastating divorce? God has given us three biblical principles from Genesis to…
Kent Shaffer codified his observations concerning Malcolm Gladwell’s sermon at Catalyst Atlanta 2013. His discussion of David and Goliath is both encouraging and life-changing. Israel was still in its infancy,…
How could I be so blind? Why did I not see the signs? Everyone around me knew I was in over my head, and they were plotting an intervention. Cults…
Our world is always one push-button away from annihilation. If stocks plunge, nest eggs disappear. Antibiotic-resistant diseases loom ahead. Don’t even get me started discussing global warming, moral depravity or…
I still feel the sizzle of burning flesh when Talid, my Turkmen Christian brother, had his feet branded with a white-hot iron. He narrowly escaped and limped across a scorching…
Feeling grumpy, discouraged, disappointed or just plain grouchy? Perhaps you need a dose of gratitude. Paul tells to give thanks in everything. I’m not feeling it. But being joyful…
“Happy Father’s Day!” Daughters, do those words invoke images of love and acceptance, or neglect and abuse? Here’s a Bible character who could be nominated for Worst Dad Ever. “Here’s…
The tiny skiff sailed across the English Channel in the foggy dead of night. Icy winds and frothy waves tossed the boat from side to side, nearly capsizing the fragile…
What Apps Would Jesus Create for His Smartphone? Gracebook. #Bitter? Game of Stones Angry Hebrews God’s Word with Friends Where’s Zacchaeus? Morning Star Wars Kugel Maps You probably think this…
All right, all right, all right. Matthew McConaughey took home the Oscar for best actor, in Dallas Buyers Club, another victory for anti-Christian agendas. Really? We deify our Hollywood gods…
What was my most embarrassing moment? Combine my brash disregard for tradition, my total lack of tact, my predilection for clumsiness and the possibilities for humiliation are endless. The longer…
Children are arrows from the Lord, not darts, according to Psalm 127:3. “They are a reward from Him.” Cherished gifts. Our future and our joy. You can make your…
God has given me the gift of recruiting volunteers. It’s not a splashy gift like prophecy, healing or miracles. Recruitment is not a spiritual gift but requires the use of…
Two Sundays and a Christmas Eve service to go! Panicked or planned? Some guys start in August. If you are swamped, scrooged, or just plain out of ideas, go back…
Our ICU nurses, donned in red and green scrubs, smiled and cheered as we entered the hospital ICU. Angie, Jessie’s precious “angel nurse” had crocheted a colorful Christmas stocking…
Toe to toe. Nose to nose. Two honr’y gospel gunslingers, giants in the new Christian faith, faced off over John Mark, the Kid. Their biting, sharp words stung and scarred…
%&*#! Potty mouth. Sexual innuendo. Cussing. Cursing. Smack talk. Smut. Swearing. OMG…Taking the Lord’s Name in vain!!! We have become desensitized to vulgarity. “PG” ratings now use “R” language. What…
Adultery? Are you kidding me? What a time for the worship leader to betray his God, his family, and his church! The triumphal entry donkey was already booked, Jesus’ beard…
Many pastors have nightmares about being naked in the pulpit. My favorite cartoonist, Gary Larson, sketched a cartoon with a deer standing on two legs, a target painted on his…
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy teases that you can tell the state of a marriage by the nightwear the wife dons before bed. In the honeymoon stages, she wears a sexy Victoria…
Dejected, defeated, despised. At one time in your life, you may have felt this way. Perhaps you struck out on the baseball field. Skinny blondes called you fatty. No matter…
Is your church a welcoming place? Or do you have a revolving door where visitors enter with high hopes of connecting with others and leave isolated and disappointed? I…
Bleary-eye and pre-coffee, I stumbled into my bathroom and took a gander in the mirror. YIKES! All I could see were bags beneath my eyes and sags where I used…
Easter is the joyful climax of the liturgical year. You can’t top Jesus jumping out of the grave, stomping Satan’s ugly head and forgiving our filthy sins. The whole Bible…
Is Jesus welcome at your house? Or are you afraid He’ll see the dust bunnies in your life? “Batten down the hatches!” I was happily brushing my molars early one…
Loud. Proud. Living large and in charge. That’s me-Bossy. It’s my Achilles’ heel, my worst weakness. I struggle daily with being a control freak. The need to control outcomes and…
Why does God put us on the shelf? Let’s look at Moses, Paul and Jesus and find out why… Just got home. Opened the frig. An odiferous gallon of…
The secret life of a pastor’s wife is not easy. It can be messy, irritating and just plain tough. So read this article with a little compassion and a lot…
Have you ever been lost? I HATE my car’s GPS navigation. She bosses me around in her smooth British voice, but frequently tells me to turn ten seconds after I…
Dashed hopes. Devastating news. Divorce. Disillusionment over current events. Perhaps, like Job, everything in your life seems to be falling apart and you are just waiting for the other…
OK. My title is incredibly corny. But the info in this blog will help you decide if allowing your child to live in “video game-land” is the right choice. The…
Are you at a loss for words when you hear the words, “Pray for me?” Your automatic answer: “Sure.” But what if the request has nothing to do with God’s…
You can help your pastor engage his congregation. I’ve included a number of examples below. But first, a little humor: You know your pastor’s sermon is boring if: 1. You…
I saw God raise the dead, heal incurable cancer and perform a host of eye-popping miracles in my run-of-the-mill, ordinary life. Remarkable moments from a remarkable God! I’m not a…
CAN COMFORT BE LEARNED? Can Comfort be learned? If you are left-brained you may tend to be less empathetic than your right-brained “touchy-feely”compadres. Perhaps it is more difficult…
What makes you squirm? Crushing debt? Wayward kids? A delayed diagnosis? God our Father often allows us to squirm to teach us how to trust. My baby Bronwyn burst forth…
Sara’s willowy form, icy blue eyes and platinum blonde hair were stunning. She was beautiful, bright and sang like an angel. Sara fit the “Cinderella” profile, but her heartbreaking story…
Aklak shivered, fighting back tears as he hugged little Kaya for the last time. He would never again gaze into the pudgy round face of his great-grandson. Aklak’s gnarled limbs…
“Essen ist fertig, Liebe!“ (Dinner is ready, Dear!) The aroma of warm Bratwurst and spaezel filled the tiny kitchen. Ilsa leaned over the windowsill, beckoning her husband to wash his…
What are you afraid of? Bugs give me the willies. Always have, always will. If I had my way, I’d strap a ten-pound can of Raid to my back and…
Unbelievable! A disgruntled nursery worker penned a libelous letter to every minister in Tucson. She charged that Roger, my husband and newly appointed pastor of Casas Church, had been seducing…
Babies need loving care. They need parenting. Do you know if you are a good role model? Turn around and look behind you. Who’s following? Who’s watching? Is it the…
“The goal of this command is love which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Timothy 1:5 NIV Pastors and wives…
Nobody wants to have cancer. This is the last picture I will have of my “real” face. The surgeon showed me photos of people with no nose or cheeks and…
Jack woke up at dawn, sleepily padding down the hall to the kitchen to down some breakfast before work. As he lumbered toward the fridge to grab milk for his…
Fierce, contrary winds whipped the waves of the Galilean Sea like a frothy meringue. Jesus’ rag-tag team shivered in their sandals as their tiny wooden skiff tossed about on the…
Riding the lightning. That’s what the paramedics call it when they press the defibrillator paddles to your chest. The ER nurses whisked me away to a waiting room where I…
Her sparkling blue eyes lit up as I slipped into the dimly lit hospital room. Donna McClure, my dearest friend, was a platinum blonde cowgirl with a heart the size…
My brother-in-law, Bud Wright, is my hero. He’s a committed Christian leader, a savvy businessman and a wonderful father. I love him deeply because he has managed to put up…
We collected troubled teenage girls like stray puppies. As pastor and wife, we always wanted our home to be a safe haven. After all, we had raised two daughters and…
“Julie, he’s not heeeere!!!!!” my husband shrieked. He yelled so loudly to silence my screams that he bruised a vocal cord and had to croak through his sermon the next…
Most people don’t believe a pastor’s wife could have experienced this. But it is an event that changed my life. I know God’s long arms reaches out to the darkest…
A child’s Christmas is always magical-twinkling lights, reindeer hooves, sugar cookies and snowy skies. On Christmas Eve of my fifth year, I was decked to the max. I donned my…
I believed, at the ripe old age of eight, that Thanksgiving was a wash-a “teaser” holiday that prevented Grandma from shopping for my etch-a-sketch. We got one measly day off…
Forget a funeral, insult the nursery lady, lose your temper in a business meeting, utter a curse word in a sermon and you’re likely to be kicked to the curb,…
My father-in-law told his aspiring preacher-son that every sermon needed a “hooker.” Dad wasn’t referring to a woman of ill repute. Papa Roger was instilling in his son the value…
I always fantasized about the day I’d reach the finish line-you know, that amazing pinnacle of spiritual maturity where God and I were tight, nothing phased me and I constantly…
1. Don’t go to a church potluck dinner with something that is not homemade. The church ladies will spot a Stouffer’s lasagna in a New-York minute. They will know at…
Lone Rangers are just that: lonely. Frank and ferocious, Saul of Tarsus epitomized the self-made Pharisee. Like 007, he traversed his homeland, brutally exterminating Christians like bugs. Until Jesus got…
God’s blessings in our lives can easily be turned into smug, self-satisfied arrogance if we grab the glory for ourselves rather than thanking Him. Climbing the ladder of success led…
Genealogy.com is all the rage. In a society of people searching for significance, we long to know who we are and why we are here. So let me shake my…
Fingernails on the chalkboard. Leaky bathroom faucets at 4:00 a.m. Chirping smoke alarms that can’t be found. Screaming toddlers in the cereal aisle at the grocery store. Annoying? Off-putting? The…
Making a list and checking it twice may be easy enough for Santa, but pleasing the fickle fancies of preschool children is a daunting task. If parents were really savvy,…
Bed was a dangerous place for Baby Jesus. For the infant Jesus, he slept in a chilly barn full of unsanitary livestock .A cadre of Roman soldiers, spears in hand,…
A child’s Christmas is always magical-twinkling lights, reindeer hooves, sugar cookies and snowy skies. On Christmas eve of my fourth year, I was decked to the max. I donned my…
Do you remember the “Where’s Waldo” children’s books? Little ones (and their curious parents) search in the sea of faces for one nerdy little guy in a red and white…
In life and in love, timing is everything. Beauty and bliss can occur in every stage of the marriage relationship because God intends each day to be sweeter. As we…
People are like porcupines. They fear the prickles of intimacy. Adam and Eve didn’t mind being open and vulnerable before the fall. In fact, they always ran around in the…
Julia Roberts a Hindu? We are used to associating Tom Cruise with Scientology and Madonna with Kabbalah. But Julia Roberts grew up in the Christian faith. What made her adopt…
Great leaders know how to “pass the baton.” Moses. Elijah, John the Baptist, Jesus, and Paul trained their disciples to take on the mantle of leadership.
Why should we attend church? We all have our reasons. My gleaming Sunday School perfect attendance pin was the pride of my charm bracelet collection. My third-grade year, it was…
Psalm 121 assures us that God guards and protects us at all times-even when we sleep. He is our guide, and our safe place.
Solomon pens this psalm about building your life, enjoying your family, living protected and focusing on your priorities.
Psalm 120 describes the dissatisfaction the pilgrim feels with the place he is spiritually. He longs for greater intimacy with God. The allegorical details of this “faraway” place are compelling.
Psalms 120-134 teach us how to grow in our spiritual journeys emotionally and practically.
A father’s heart longs to be with his daughter. When she joins him on a business trip, she feels loved, valued and included.
In our fast-paced, high-tech society, we miss the opportunities to know God, love well and enjoy life
Every family has a “bad seed,” a relative with a shady reputation that soils the family name. We all have the “seed of sin” and need new life in Christ.
Little children may not seem to be listening in “big church,” but God often uses those moments to speak to them personally and transform their lives.
Our love relationship with Jesus and with others far surpasses the fleeting pleasures of worldly treasures. We must be passionate about eternal things and stop grasping for earthy wealth.
Family get-togethers can be wonderful or horrible. We can learn to enhance our family relationships by gracious speech and genuine appreciation. Make your holiday reunions special!
The Thanksgiving meal may be tasty or pasty, but the concept of stopping to thank God for His abundance is essential. He has given so much, and we are humbled…
SCRIPTURE STUDY Psalm 91 PRAYER FOCUS Dear Jesus, Help me to recognize Satan’s schemes and call on You to protect me. I know that You have promised to send your…
Fear can dominate our lives, but Christ’s love replaces our fears with confidence in His unconditional love and acceptance. We never have to walk in fear again.
God’s great love is demonstrated through the heart of a caring grandparent. God’s creatures also reflect His creativity and humor.
We all need a sense of wonder in our lives as we see His creation. We remain youthful and grateful when we watch Him work.
The psalmist in Psalm 84 writes that a day in God’s house is better than a thousand anywhere else. We should find our security, safety and satisfaction in His presence.
Communicating effectively with others is a skill that must be developed in our lives. A little girl receives attention, respect and affirmation from a loving godfather.
Christians cannot compromise their values to get what they want. They must be persons of integrity and faithfulness.
We must focus on the inner beauty God has given us and not our outward physical appearance.
A little chatterbox learns that listening is more important than talking. God created us to love and serve others unselfishly.
Loving our near ones is a reflection of God’s unconditional love for us. We must love our neighbors as ourselves by being hospitable and accepting.
Little girls learn to sink or swim. We must keep our eyes on Jesus to live a life of faith in the face of storms.
Every child needs a good care-taker. Every child of God has the assurance of God’s care, training and protection.
Board games that children play can often bring out the true sinful nature within the heart of a child: selfishness, greed and unforgiveness.
Marker days in our lives remind us of how interested God is in the little things, and how much He longs to affirm and bless us.
A little girl learns that summer fun can be more than just a trip to the swimming pool. Vacation Bible School was a life-changing experience-glitter and all!
God’s creatures reflect His wisdom, imagination, and glory. When we look with wonder at His world, we learn more about our Heavenly Father.
Cars are companions that accompany us on our life-journey. True friends stand beside us and share our life experiences.
Every little girl needs a father or grandfather in her life who models the intimate, caring, faithful love of God the Father. Grandpa B did just that.
We all need a little attention, but Jesus should take center stage of our lives. God calls us to be humble and to joyfully serve Him.
Everyone longs for affection. We should greet each other warmly and make others feel welcomed and valued. However, God desires us to be sexually pure.
Our memories can teach us much about ourselves and our walk with God and others. We can learn spiritual principles by reflecting on our past.
An ailing five-year-old suffers with chronic illness when a group of kind kindergarten students show genuine love and concern. God never forgets us.
The people we love may have different interests and perspectives than we have. We love them by entering their world, listening and delighting in their work and play.
We often live our lives in selfishness and self-reliance. The trials that come to us remind us of how much we need a Savior.
All of us have a little waywardness in our nature. The key is to recognize that we are sinful and need a Savior. When we submit our lives to Him,…
Fairy tales spark our imaginations. Storytellers captivate their listeners. But when God speaks to our hearts, our lives are forever changed.
We often ignore the needs of others because we are preoccupied with our own pursuits. Those we love express anger toward us because of unmet needs. We can deepen our…
Those who oppose us often have experienced our rejection and insensitivity. When we humbly look at ourselves, we can learn to extend grace and patience to others.
Chocolate is delightful, tempting and fattening. Sin may be fun and tasty at first, but eventually leads to spiritual death.
We often hurt those we love the most. Our expressions of love must be genuine, and we must be patient with those who have difficulty expressing their feelings.
Loving God whole-heartedly is a little like puppy love. We must love God sincerely, honestly and without reservation. God rejoices over His precious children with abandonment.
Happy memories remind us of God’s goodness and care, and sustain us through the painful times of life.
You can be sure your sin will find you out-whether it be a tiny transgression or a full-fledged, pre-meditated rebellious act. Julie learned how to confess and repent.
Faithful friends are hard to find. We often model critical behavior and conditional love. True intimacy includes acceptance, respect and comfort.
The friends we choose can deeply influence our lives. Bad company ruins good morals.
Silky-soft, baby-fat arms encircling your neck. “Mommy, what’s wrong?” “Daddy, I’m sorry!” In those tear-filled moments when you are so devastated you can hardly speak, children know how to comfort.…
Fierce, contrary winds whipped the waves of the Galilean Sea like a frothy meringue. Jesus’ rag-tag team shivered in their sandals as their tiny wooden skiff tossed about on the…
As devoted followers of Christ, we must have a pure heart, not a perfect ones. We may struggle to know God’s plan completely, but will respond in quiet faith and…
Everybody loves the limelight, except spiritual grownups that have learned to shine the spotlight on Jesus Christ. Hairy John the Baptist may have reeked of sweat and barbecued grasshoppers, but…
Words, words, words! Good listeners are few and far between. Most of us love the sound of our own voices rather than the voice of God. We will never truly…
Easter Sunday is the pastors’ Superbowl Sunday. Countless kiddies hyped up on Cadbury chocolate marshmallow bunnies and shocking pink peeps are forced to wear itchy petticoats, stiff, squeaky new shoes…
My youngest daughter Bronwyn has always pushed the envelope, sticking her hairy toe across any line drawn before her. Bronwyn, or “White Breast” was a Welsh heroine in her father’s…
Dear Jessie, My precious little girl with Jesus, I can hardly remember how it felt to hold your tiny frame in my arms. I thought I would forget you, but…
Benefit of the slop or benefit of the doubt? People, OK and Us magazines rake in bazillions of dollars by cashing in on our curiosity. Who did what to whom? The juicier…
Pandemonium means bedlam, chaos or confusion. Does that sound like Sunday morning at your house? If you know your Greek, pandemonium means daemonium (demons) and pan (all around). No matter…
“Yes, Brother, I see that hand!” Church leaders, like all men with feet of clay, are tempted to climb ladders of success. Buildings, budgets and baptisms are never far from…
We serve others well when we have Christ’s heart, when we humble ourselves and become caringly and intimately involved and invested in their lives.
Because of Jesus, God’s Son, we are loved deeply, accepted wholly, and forgiven completely. Cease striving and begin to rest in His love.
The Winter Olympics 2010 are upon us. Athletes across the globe long to skate like Ohno and ski like Mancuso. Even if they don’t win the gold, they hope to…
I never dreamed how many sermons my husband would preach in a bullet-proof vest (36 in all). I never dreamed I would have to wear one myself. My missionary friends…
Children’s Christmas programs remind us of the innocence of pure worship. The beauty and glory of the Christ-child is reflected in the faces of God’s little ones.
Samson, the strong man from the Book of Judges is contrasted with John the Baptist, the prophet who prepared the way for Christ’s coming. One man lived out of step…
Leah, wife of Jacob and sister of Rachel, was switched with her sister on Jacob and Rachel’s wedding night. She lived in a loveless marriage, unappreciated and unsupported. We can…
Cultivating an intimate relationship with Christ, investing in loving relationships, following God’s plan, and pursuing heavenly rewards are the things that matter most in life.
Arzi never expected to be a dynamic force in his part of the world, but God had other plans. He grew from being a young Muslim boy to a man…
Dr. Doug and Cheryl Derbyshire lead clinics in Thailand where thousands come to receive medical care and comfort. The patients not only found physical healing, but spiritual healing by meeting…
В течении этого интервью, вы услышите свидетельство пастора Арзи о том, как он пришёл к Христу из мусульманской культуры и как он чувствовал призыв Бога к служению. Он расскажет о…
Teacher Jane W. shares Christ in the classroom in Tanzania. She soon travels to one of the war zones where poverty and chaos reign. Where does she get her courage!…
John and Valerie spend their days in northern Alaska flying across the Bering Sea into Siberia to provide humanitarian aid and a heaping portion of the Gospel. Children’s ministries, discipleship…
Ron S. tells his story about receiving God’s call shortly after becoming a believer. He prayed for God to call his wife as well, and she never expected to go…
Cherie G. relates the unique challenges of refugee families seeking asylum in America. Our churches can adopt these families by supplying food, housing, baby clothes and a lot of love.
Pastor Bob Robinson, founder of Parenting Alone, gives practical, helpful information to pastors and church leaders upon developing single-parent ministries in a church and community setting. He also highlights valuable…
The top ten health crises in the world are refusing aid. In Somalia, violence is worsening and healthcare has collapsed. Fighting in eastern DR Congo and north-west Pakistan has left…
Wycliffe missionaries Larry and Nancy Hagberg share their story of the joys and challenges of translating God’s Word and evangelizing an unreached people group.
Wycliffe missionaries Larry and Nancy Hagberg relate a remarkable story of faith in the midst of cancer, a near-fatal car crash and floods. God’s Word is the powerful, sustaining force…
Every pastor’s wife deals with pandemonium. The day-to-day challenges of family, work and ministry demand patience, grace and strength. Proverbs 31 was written by a mother to express the inestimable…
Pastor’s wives are often great givers-serving everyone else-but poor receivers. The key to avoiding burnout in ministry is learning to receive from God and others.
Christ’s arms were outstretched to the weak, the poor, the despised and the unlovely. Matthew and John described the call of Christ to people who rejected Him.
Anytime two Christians are mad at each other, the church splits. The Body of Christ was supposed to be beautifully and perfectly one (according to Jesus in John 17), but…
King David experienced rejection, heartache, disappointment, and difficulty. How did He survive? When we study his prayers, we know he was deeply connected to God. Psalm 139 is a love…
Psalm 32 and 51 are twin poems that describe David’s prayer of brokenness and repentance. Psalm 32 paints a portrait of his emotional pain and how he became healed in…
God never simply sees us as we are, but who we can become. When we place our hand in His, He guides us to greatness. Jacob, the Old Testament patriarch,…
King David began to doubt God when his life was falling apart. Asaph began to doubt God when his world fell apart. Some of our doubts are rational. Many are…
The Psalms of Ascents are fourteen poems that depict the pilgrimage of faith for abeliever. As the spiritual child grows to maturity, his worship of God will change dramatically. He…
The “Indescribable” companion devotional addresses the importance of praising God in our everyday lives. We are given a garment of praise by God, and when we wear it, we grow…
Christ warns us in Matthew 24 that one of the prominent signs in the last days will be the rise of the “deceiver,” the antichrist. Deception of mankind will not…
Pastors, worship leaders, creative teams and volunteers should collaborate to produce fresh, worshipful seasonal services. Emotional and spiritual needs of the congregation should be addressed. Planning, resource allocation and recruiting…
What was the Star of Bethlehem and what did it signify? Nine points of the star’s meaning are revealed in Matthew 2. The light of God’s glory not only appeared…
Every pastor needs safe people in his congregation to listen, love and support him. Ralph Tacker, father-in-law of Roger Barrier, chats about the pastors he has loved and the ways…
King Solomon was the consummate diplomat. His valuable advice on assuaging anger is both practical and profound. Eight proverbs give us insight on how to subdue antagonistic people, how to…
Anger is a legitimate God-created emotion. God expressed His righteous anger toward sin and injustice. Our Heavenly Father’s love and forgiveness is only understood in the context of His holiness…
Anger is healed by a repentant heart. The dedicatory prayer King Solomon prayed on the Temple mount reveals the king’s clear understanding of the nature of man and the ways…
King David, Solomon’s father, gave us a powerful model for handling anger. Because the shepherd-king was called the “man after God’s own heart,” he had profound insight into God’s character.…
Jesus, the Master-Teacher, taught us how to handle anger and proffer forgiveness from His beatitudes, His parables and His example. Forgiveness must come from a grateful heart. Paul teaches us…
The key to profiting from criticism is a receptive, teachable heart. Solomon wrote many practical verses in the book of Proverbs about the benefits of listening to reproof. The wise…
People have different priorities and expectations; so evaluate criticism in light of your purposes and calling in life. Recognize that your critics can often see your blind spots objectively, and…
JESUS THE TRUTH The culture in which we live would like to convince us that truth is purely subjective. If we are to distinguish between valid criticism and unjust accusation,…
King Solomon, in his wisdom, affirmed the fact that it takes love, great courage, and candor to help someone to get an objective viewpoint. Conversely, criticism can be petty, unfounded,…
FRIENDSHIPS ARE ESSENTIAL TO LIFE From the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, God declared, “It is not good for man to be alone” even though He walked in fellowship…
Friends Tell Us The Truth Friends who have our best interest at heart can confront us when we need it. Solomon penned this powerful proverb about loving confrontation in Proverbs…
Friends, no matter how close, will hurt each other. Learning to be offended and still forgive is part of spiritual and emotional maturity.
Proverbs 31 describes the godly woman as being of admirable character, diligent, faithful and wise. She is enterprising, confident and organized. The woman of faith deserves praise as she aspires…
Let’s begin with a hard thing to reconcile between the Bible and the Constitution. Consider these two statements. From the US Bill of Rights, First Amendment: “Congress shall make…