The World’s First Cell Call

The date was April 3, 1973. Martin Cooper stood on the streets of New York City, from where he made the world’s first cellular call. Martin’s first words were reportedly, “Can you hear me now?” The phone was a device called the DynaTAC, which was 11 inches long and weighed 2.5 pounds. When not used…

A Generous God

We all know people who are very generous – with their time, talents, and treasure. We often credit them for having a “generous heart.” But put this quote in your pipe and smoke it. Giving does not begin with a generous heart, but with a generous God. We love God because he first loved us.…

Apples in the Seed

God has given you all the tools necessary to secure your recovery. Paul said it like this: “God supplies seed to the sower” (2 Corinthians 9:10). The Holy Spirit has planted within you all that you need to begin the journey. God has supplied you with the seed, but it’s up to you to do…

Before the Wheels Come Off

A friend was driving his car when the unthinkable happened. A wheel literally fell off his car. Predictably, the car came to an immediate stop.  So how did this happen? It was simple, really. The signs were all there – wobbly wheels, funny sounds, etc. But the problem sounded expensive to the driver, so he…

Alone

It is good to gather – in 12-Step meetings, church fellowships, and other groups. But is it possible that we have become what Francis Chan calls “professional gatherers”?  Read the following quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In Life Together, he wrote, “Whoever cannot be alone should beware of community. Such people will only do harm to…

Smarter than Einstein

At the conclusion of the morning service, the congregation filed out of the building. As he passed by the pastor, one attendee told him, “Pastor, you must be smarter than Albert Einstein!” The pastor thanked the man for his praise, but for the next seven days, he wondered what the comment meant. So the next…

Progress

Brene Brown said, “Perfection is the enemy of good.”  Our task is not to find perfection, but progress. After all, “There is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).  Even the great apostle Paul admitted, “Not that I have already attained this or am already perfect, but I…

Bald Eagles

A park ranger found a man in the woods, chewing on a cooked bald eagle. “You know that bird is an endangered species, don’t you? I’m going to have to bring you in.” The ranger brought the man to court, where the man pleaded for forgiveness. “Your honor, I was starving, and lost in the…

El-Shaddai

Sometimes, blessing is followed by darkness. And darkness is followed by blessing. Consider the story of Abraham. God had promised him a son, a nation, and a legacy. But in the short run, Abraham got this: “When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abraham; and behold, horror and great darkness fell…

Baby Mops

For every person who (a) has an infant, and (b) wants clean floors, Kenji Kawakami is your hero. The Japanese inventor created “Baby Mops.” His creation is quite simple, but effective. The contraption consists of a bunch of tiny mops, which can be attached to the baby’s clothing, so that when the infant crawls across…