The day after Christmas a group of 40 of us will be heading to Israel for almost two weeks. We are looking forward to a great trip. For the majority of the people going this will be their first time to see this historic place. One of the things I am really excited about is that nine of the folks going are in their College/High School age. What a great experience for them to remember for the rest of their lives!

@ Caesarea in 2010

Ianity. When I looked the word up on my computer’s dictionary the standard, “Ianity could not be found” was returned. Unfortunately its real form can be found too often. Not just “out there” but in my life. What is “Ianity?” It is Christianity without Christ. Christless Christianity. Can there be such a thing? Totally and absolutely.

First of all, we are not talking here about not believing in Jesus or denying or disliking Jesus. No, Christless Christianity can exist in true believers lives. Good, solid churches and tobacco-free, Hollywood-purged, Adventures in Odyssey-loving Christian homes is where this attitude can germinate. It is Christian living that has invested (even sacrificially) with the anticipation of a good rate of return. We are to “count the cost” and be wise masterbuilders. We have done our do-diligence and, as far as we know, can pass the red-face test. No surprises here. Just good, honest, hard-working, old-fashioned (the older the better) Christian living.

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Probably most folks reading this article would respond to that question with, “I sure hope I’m not a Pharisee!” That is what I would like to say but after doing some thinking I would have to affirmatively state “I am a Pharisee.” More often than I want to admit.

While I was preaching through the Gospel of John here some months back, I began to question why there is so much in the Gospels about this ultra prickly group called Pharisees. The first introduction to them in the Gospel of John is not bad in chapter 3 when we meet Nicodemus. Highly educated, inquisitive, maybe even a little humble since he is asking questions instead of just giving answers. As we plowed deeper in the preaching of the book the picture of Pharisees grew more hardened and difficult. (more…)

Psalm 119 is a beloved Psalm that when it come right down to it, we know little about. We can quote favorite verses like verse 11 about hiding God’s Word in our heart or verse 105 that compares the Bible to a lamp to our path. I recently purchased a book that has an outstanding chapter summarizing Psalm 119. The book is Speaking the Truth in Love by Dave Powlison.

I purchased the book because in a few weeks we will be coming to the passage in Ephesians that tells us to speak in love. I really did not expect the book to open with a chapter on the importance of Psalm 119 though. There are some statements that I would like to quote that stand out as gems to me. (more…)

I am always on the alert for book recommendations. I thought I would pass along some books I have read if you happen to be looking for a good book. Most of what I read has been recommended by someone else already. I am overwhelmed standing in the library looking for something or browsing book sections on Amazon. I like to know if someone else thought it was worth reading first.

I should mention that all of these books I would put into the pleasure reading category. All of these books are ones I have read just before going to bed at night. The only exception would be the one I mention that I am currently using with my family. (more…)

A few years ago a friend told me a story about what would inevitably happen nearly every time their family went vacation. As with most folks, getting out the door is a huge undertaking. Once they arrived at their vacation destination this man’s wife would begin talking about the things she did not get done before they left for the trip. I think many of us have done that very thing and can relate (at least I can relate for sure!).

My friend’s response to his wife is a little phrase that I have thought of and used in different situations when the weight of what should have happened or what needed to be done keeps surfacing. He would just simply say to her, “We’re here now.” The meaning behind the statement is simply to start doing what needs to be done now and quit living in, “If only I had….” (more…)

What believer hasn’t spent time pondering troubling things in his or her life? Who has not felt overwhelmed? Who could not sympathize with the words of the psalmist who wrote in Psalm 42:7, “all Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me?”

I have come across Psalm 77 and have been pondering its words for the past few days. There are some really interesting things here. I am including it now as well because there are some verses that remind of our coming storm pounding the East coast. What should we think when my life is wrapped in hurricane-like circumstances? Where is God in all of that? Read Psalm 77 and think about some of the following things: (more…)

I am way overdue to update my blog. I felt like I needed to say that for the few people who are faithful to check in here and wonder if I have given up. I am still writing now and then and wanted to get things going again!

Youth is a great time of life. It sets the stage for the rest of our lives. What a benefit it is for so many young people to grow up being influenced by church and Christian teachers and youth group. I have heard many older adults say they wished they had the influence in their youth that some of our kids are having. I have included here some verses about youth and a couple of book recommendations. (more…)

This is my first attempt at adding a video to the website. I thought Mother’s day would be a good time to get it started!

“For better or for worse…” and so on the marriage vows go. Young couples rarely conjure up what the “worse” part of that vow may mean. It is not possible on our wedding day but nonetheless we make a promise. What does it look like to keep that promise?

Some time ago I recommended the book called A Promise Keptby Robertson McQuilkin. Dr. McQuilkin was the president of Columbia Bible College and resigned due to his wife’s battle with Alzheimer’s. I have read his resignation speech before but have only recently come across the audio of the day he spoke in chapel. This is really, really good.