Psalm 51 provides the gold standard for confessional prayer. “According to the greatness of your compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2). First, David asks God to “blot out my transgressions.” He is asking God to scrape off the lies and deceit in…
Saving Private Ryan may be the greatest war movie ever produced. The film traces a mission to bring Private James Ryan home after his three brothers had all been killed in battle. Under the command of Captain Miller, a small group of soldiers went through hell to rescue Private Ryan. Most of the others, including…
In the 1929 Rose Bowl, All-American center Roy Riegels picked up a fumble and ran 30 yards – in the wrong direction. The play contributed to an 8-7 loss by California to Georgia Tech. Looking back, Riegels described the play: “I was running toward the sidelines when I picked up the ball. I started to…
Proverbs 16:9 “We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.” There are three ways in which you need to pursue your goals for the new year. 1. You need God’s Spirit to empower you. “You will not succeed by your own strength, or by your own…
Another year has passed. The new year is just hours away. In God Is Visible Every Day, Steven M. Hitchcock offers great advice. “In this new year, be grateful that God has given you victory over many things over the past year.” The prophet agreed. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past”…
In order to stay sober, you need to master the “F” word. Forgiveness. Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, trainer of Mindvalley’s Life Vission Mastery Quest, writes, “All forgiveness is self-forgiveness because you’re unbinding yourself from a perception that causes harm to yourself.” Beckwith explains that forgiveness moves you away from the victim consciousness – a state…
The crazy dude in Mark 5 is the prototype for Step 1. His life was unmanageable, and he was powerless to do anything about it. To be specific, “This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain” (Mark 5:4). Did you catch that word, anymore? That…
I am the product of the second chance. You are, too. Coach Lane Kiffin said, “When God gives you a second chance, it’s not something you take for granted.” Harrison Ford said, “We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance.” Pete Rose said, “If somebody is gracious…
I used to be an avid chess player. I still have in my office, my Dad’s old chess set that he learned to play on 90 years ago. In my greatest athletic achievement, I won my high school chess championship with a record of 50 wins, and 0 losses. Then I played the champions from…
Addiction has dealt a devasting blow to you or someone close to you. Now you have a decision to make. Will you focus on all you have lost, or on all you have left. Vincent Van Gogh was all about what he had left. Did you know he only had one ear? On an episode…