Books at the Beach

This weekend, I was in sunny Florida - evaluating some interesting potential changes for the family. The sun was shining, the food was superb, and the ocean was...well...the ocean. Breathtaking and beautiful.  While there was a frenzied pace to accommodate preordained appointments - Sunday was worth it all. We ended up in a church on Merritt Island, FL.  From the locals we gathered that the church is quite involved in the community and even runs a Christian school. The church was everything we had hoped for: compelling worship, engaging sermon, and friendly people. But...isn't that what church is SUPPOSED to be?I always thought so. I must admit: I haven't really felt close to God in awhile. Sunday, I did. Call it a change of venue or a better attitude - the worship service moved me to tears. The people were friendly and even reached out to my wife and me. God's gracious conviction has also reached into my soul that I should spend more time listening and less time ta

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit an amazing church in Asheville, NC, where the pastor gave a sermon that illustrated a concept I have taught previously: our faith is only as good as the object in which it is placed .  Intellectually, I accept this - but do I live in such a way that reflects I believe it? When Jesus indicated that he was both the author and perfecter (or finisher) of our faith...do I live as if I believe that?  "He who began a good work in you will see it on to completion..." again...good stuff to "believe" but do I live as if I believe it? Available at Amazon.com What has really inspired me to think about this is a wonderful book I am reading - Miracle at Tenwek: The Life of Dr. Ernie Steury.  This American trained surgeon forsook the creature comforts of living in the United States to become a medical missionary at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya.  This physician worked tirelessly to provide medical and spiritual care for th

A seventy year old mentoring pastor once told me that you never get to the point where you think your old.  In one's mind, you stay as youthful as ever - it's the body that reminds you of over exertion when you try to climb out of bed the following day. Today, my youngest turns 18 - to know that all the kids are adults certainly makes me feel old.  This past week, I have thought about the times of life that seem to take forever compared to the times of life that fly by.  How I long for more of the former now...but the latter seem to increase every year.  When I was younger I engaged in a lot of wishing my life away - now, I want time to slow down and be able to enjoy things more. One benefit of age is being able to rationalize things better. I can say, quite honestly, that some things just don't bother me any more. Maybe I have finally come to realize that complaining really does not work.  Or maybe complaining never worked and I was too young and immature to realize it

Have you ever stopped to think about the things that are the MOST important to you?  I have recently.  Being a proud veteran, I would have to say that the most important things to me, in this order, are: God Family Country First and foremost, I have very strong opinions about God. I believe that he sent his one and only Son to die for humanity to keep us from being eternally separated from him. I do not believe that I have always honored him - but I am resolved that "he" who knows me best - loves me most. In spite of my flaws, he still loves me. I marvel that God doesn't give up on me, since, if I were God...there are definitely people that have been in my life that I would have given up on. Cut me off in traffic, will you? *Poof* Banished...Well, maybe I wouldn't be that bad...unless, of course, I hadn't had my morning cup of coffee. Family comes second as the most important thing on this earth. In this category, the primary loyalty one feels should be

I didn't post yesterday - I just couldn't wrap my head around a few events that are occurring in our world. Two different extremes that show very different tendencies of human nature. Egyptians are fed up with President Hosni Mubarak - one who has billions of dollars and has won the popular "vote" for the last 30 years. In his country there is no middle class - just rich versus poor.  Apparently, the Egyptian people are entirely fed up with their lot in life.  Even those who are working endure dismal conditions for a few measly dollars daily.  I am quite sure that Americans would react similarly if our top elected official was raking in a tremendous amount of money and there was very little done to help the populace.  Compare that to Julie Powers Schenecker, a Florida mom who allegedly shot her two teenagers for being "mouth y.  I defy any parent to show me a teenager who has not talked back. In fact, to anyone reading this - can you say you never talked ba