you want me to do what ?

Jesus was sitting in a fishing boat teaching a large crowd who had gathered along the shore. Afterwards He instructed Simon Peter to row out into deeper water and cast his nets into the lake. Now Peter and the boys had been fishing all night and had caught absolutely nothing … and they had apparently sat through an early morning sermon as well. Hungry and tired, I’m certain they must have been ready for some sleep. Peter, is an expert fisherman … after all this is what he does for a living. In the back of his mind he probably …

not my fault … not that bad

Recently, the Chicago Cubs were on an extended losing streak. This prompted a local sports radio talk show host to make this statement: “Its time for some personal accountability.” After a few minutes I realized those words could also apply to God’s expectations regarding my spiritual accountability. When I was a kid I learned to cuss from my buddies in school and around the neighborhood. In junior high I once shop lifted a pair of socks for basketball. In high school I experimented with alcohol and lied about it. As an adult I fell to acts of sin which led …

Protected: Happy Fathers Day

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object of faith required

Recently a young man met with me and boldly stated: “I need to know how I can please God. I have been attending church here for three weeks and I want to join a men’s Bible study because I want to increase my faith. In the past month I have lost my job, my girlfriend and my health is being determined by some test results I am waiting for. Can you help me increase my faith ?” I simply replied “NO”. He looked at me and asked: “Then what do they pay you for around here ?” I explained to …

thumbs down warning

There are several black-top roads to take on the way to my church office. I enjoy a different route from time to time to see the country side of Illinois, away from people. This morning I am cruising along at 60mph in a 50mph speed zone. The driver of an on-coming car holds his arm out the window and starts giving me this wild thumbs down gesture repeatedly. My initial reaction ? This guy has already had too much coffee. I slowed down to look at him in my rear view mirror and then as I turned my head back …

gather or scatter ?

A wise friend of mine taught me something from scripture this morning. I love wise friends. In Luke chapter 11… as was often the case … Jesus was being verbally attacked and even accused of being a representative of Satan. In the midst of these hostile attitudes Jesus says: “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.” (Luke 11:23) There is no middle ground when it comes to what to do with Christ. This is an obvious black and white presentation. You are either with Him … and your life …

the devil's chaplain

A few months ago I visited my Dad in the hospital as he was recovering from a mild heart attack shortly after gall bladder surgery. During my time with him I had an opportunity to speak with the hospital chaplain. She claimed she was ordained by her church denomination and felt God calling her to this specific kind of ministry. However, when I asked her about the challenges of not compromising the gospel of Jesus while interacting with various religious beliefs … here was her response. “I simply listen and do my best to connect people of all faiths … …

shame cultivators

Ask yourself: “Is there anything in my life that is cultivating shame in my heart that discredits the gospel ?” After some honest inner searching here is my personal list of “shame cultivators”: * envy * lustful thoughts * a non-edifying spirit * pride – a thirst for recognition and myself before others I have experienced and continue to experience the saving grace and forgiveness found in Jesus alone … and because of this new life in Christ I am called to be His ambassador. BUT how can I be his ambassador when I face these powerful challenges in my …

Movie Review: The Hangover

“The Hangover” did look a lot like “Very Bad Things”–but they are two completely different movies. Where “Very Bad Things” is a dark comedy about the depravity of humanity (who knew Peter Berg was so disturbed?), “The Hangover” is a light screwball comedy that, while it does have some “shock” moments, never lets up its shiny disposition that you should have fun with it. It’s a misadventure. And, probably one that I should’ve encountered sometime in my life while drunkenly wandering the streets of the south side of Chicago. But somehow, by unbelievable luck–I survived without having to go through …

Movie Review: Terminator Salvation

The “Terminator” franchise is one that I’ve never really been able to fully wrap myself around. I’m not exactly sure why that is. I liked all of the films (yes, I did enjoy T3 even though it was horribly cheesy), and I still think “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is one of the most spectacular sci-fi action films ever made. Maybe that’s why I don’t look at this franchise with as much affection as, say, the Aliens franchise for example. “Terminator 2″ just seemed to blow all of the other films away, as much as “The Terminator” was a good film. …