God Smiles When We Trust
By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told. . . . As a result, Noah became intimate with God. Hebrews 11:7 (MSG) *** *** *** *** Imagine this scene: One day God comes to Noah and says, “I’m disappointed in human beings. In the entire world, no one but you thinks about me. But Noah, when I look at you, I start smiling. I’m pleased with your life, so I’m going to flood the world and start over with you …
Movie Review: Hancock
Continuing the summer’s tradition of superhero movies, this one features something a little different. First, one of my favorite actors of this age, Will Smith–a blockbuster king, a likable guy, and his range, though sorely underused most of the time, is not to be disregarded. In this case, however, he does not exactly play a “likable guy”. So let’s talk “Hancock”. This film is not adapted from a graphic novel. It is not based on an old comic book series created by Stan Lee. It’s not an old Greek mythology story that’s been updated. No, “Hancock” has one thing going …
May God Smile on You
May the Lord smile on you. Numbers 6:25 (NLT) *** *** *** *** The smile of God is the goal of life. Since pleasing God is the first purpose of your life, your most important task is to discover how to do that. The Bible says, “Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it” (Ephesians 5:10 MSG). Fortunately, the Bible gives us a clear example of a life that gives pleasure to God. The man’s name was Noah. In Noah’s day, the entire world had become morally bankrupt. Everyone lived for their own …
God Spoke You into Existence
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is by Jon Walker – Dear one, you were started as an idea in the mind of God! You exist because the God of the universe thought you up! The God who spoke the world into existence, the God who hung the moon and the stars, the God who set the sun in the sky – this creative Creator …
Patience with Imperfection
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is by Jon Walker – Humorist Dave Barry says, “A perfect parent is a person with excellent child-rearing theories and no actual children.” The same could be said of a perfect world or a perfect family; there’s only one way to mess things up: People! Living with imperfect people requires patience, and you – now I say this as a friend – are one of the imperfect people who requires patience! Unfortunately, …
the funeral crasher
I recently spoke at a golf outing and dinner in the west Chicago suburb of St. Charles. It was organized to raise money to help families with children who are in a battle against cancer. Before being served dinner the 300 plus attendees watched a very emotional picture video celebrating the life of some of the children who lost this fight. Sad to think of the pain parents and family members must have experienced at those funerals. In 2006-07 there was a movie released called “The Wedding Crashers”. And although I have not seen this movie … it made me …
Sleep Tonight
Each night when I put my kids to bed, we read a book, talk about their day and pray for their sleep and their futures. Sometimes after the prayer, they want me to scratch their back. On special occasions, they ask for “Sleep Tonight”. “Sleep Tonight” is really the song MLK by U2 sung in my best Bono voice. I know. My wife has already said you can’t use a U2 song as a lullaby. By the way, you can see/hear it here: Sleep Tonight-MLK by U2 on YouTube While I am singing …
an exploding and exsposing light
Another 4th of July has passed. As a kid, a teenager, a young adult, a father, and now a grandfather … I have seen more fire-works than I can count. There is one, however, that gets my attention every time. In the middle of the darkness, they light the fuse of a single rocket that goes almost silently straight up into the air … hesitates … and then suddenly explodes with such a brilliant light and powerful force that it vibrates the very ground I’m standing on. Instantly … but briefly … the darkness gives way to a revealing light …
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – Once upon a time my son came home from middle school and told me there’d been a Reward Day-type assembly, where they were giving away some really cool stuff. At one point, a teacher put all the students’ names into a huge bucket in order to draw one name for the biggest prize of all! “I know you’re only supposed to use special …
When the Bumper Sticker Doesn’t Match the Driver
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? James 2:14 (NIV) *** *** *** *** A recent Gallup Poll says there are fifty million people in America who say, “I am a Christian.” But truth be told, not all of those fifty million can back it up with the lifestyle they live. Just because a person claims it, doesn’t mean they have it. Typically, we label people “believers” today if they vaguely sound Christian. At the end of a World Series, a player …
