The Power of Forgiveness

The power of forgiveness is well-documented.  Johns Hopkins Medicine conducted studies that conclude that our health is greatly impacted by our willingness to forgive those who have harmed us. Their findings: “Studies have found that the act of forgiveness can reap huge rewards for your health, lowering the risk of heart attack; improving cholesterol levels…

Cooking with Wine

We are always looking for something to soothe our pain. That’s why I often say that porn isn’t a bad problem as much as it’s a bad solution. We use it to make something else go away, if even for the moment. Porn is just one drug that does the trick. W.C. Fields said, “I…

The Real Abundant Life

God wants you to experience joy, abundant life, and outrageous blessings. But what does that look like, exactly? Jesus warned, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in an abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). Rick Warren said it so well in The Purpose Driven…

Group

“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one.”       – John Lennon God never intended us to do life alone. This thing called “connection” is magic. You can’t find recovery without it. Isolation is not your friend. Community is…

NFL Is Back!

In the U.S., football is underway. Each year, 18 million of us crowd into stadiums to watch our favorite teams play. Another 100 million watch on television. And every one of us is convinced we could call plays better than the coaches for our team.  Legendary coach Bud Wilkinson once mused, “Each Saturday, our college…

Get Ready!

Jesus is coming again. He said, “You must be ready, because the Son of Man will come in an hour when you do not expect him” (Luke 12:40). Are you ready for Christ’s return? David Jeremiah offers four ways to get ready. Live with passion and patience. Reflect Christ’s example of servanthood. Revere Christ’s honor…

Livin’ Near the Beach

We live in Bradenton, Florida, six miles from the beach. Green water. White sand. Seagulls overhead.  In a word – paradise. So I completely understand why people are flooding into Florida. What I don’t understand is why people move here, within a 15-drive of the ocean, but then never go to the beach. That would…

Vodka and the Holy Spirit

“Trust me, you can dance.”       – Vodka Alcohol has that effect on people. With a few drinks, the alcohol takes over, and you become someone different.  That explains Ephesians 5:18. Paul wrote, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Why did Paul draw a correlation…

Steve Martin on Church

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing” (Hebrews 10:24-25). When it comes to church attendance, a lot of us are like comedian Steve Martin, who said, “I believe in going to church every Sunday – unless…