An Unencumbered Journey

Tertullian, one of the fathers of the early church, is quoted as saying, “And so it is when a man walks along a road, the lighter he travels, the happier he is; equally, on this journey of life, a man is more blessed if he does not pant beneath a burden of riches.” Panting beneath a load of riches? What’s that? Aren’t riches a blessing? One of the by-products, and even sometimes the motivating force in striving for success in our careers, is the opportunity to gain financial increase through our efforts. We work hard to improve our performance, to satisfy our customers/supervisors, to learn how to do whatever we do with increasing value and effectiveness, and often we succeed. Our success brings with it a greater ability to acquire “things.” Things like, well you know, bigger...

You’re not – I am!

On a Saturday morning in early spring many years ago I was sitting in my easy chair at home, having just finished some pleasant quiet time, when the phone rang. I had no idea of the profound significance the call I was about to take would have on my life. I was at the beginning of a revelatory experience that would change me and my understanding of life forever. It was early and I was not expecting anyone to call so I picked up the phone with a bit of concern. The person calling, a man, asked to speak to me and I acknowledged that he was. “Good,” he said, “I was hoping to see you this morning. I think that I have a message from God for you.” “Who are you, and what is the message about, and why do you think it is for me from God?” I asked. I am by nature a skeptical person...

Whose Drumbeat Do You Follow?

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music that he hears, however measured or far away.“  Henry David Thoreau So, whose drum are you listening to? We all are hearing one you know. Listening, following. Is your drummer the incessant beat of the materialistic, hedonistic, “stuff” is the answer of our current culture? Are you caught up in the swirl of busyness and breathless aquisition that is the norm of our day? Many if not most Christians are. In fact in every measurable or discernable way the mass of what the world sees as contemporary Christianity looks no different from what they see in the mirror. We value what they value. We chase the same things they chase. The beat goes...

It Doesn’t Matter!!

OK, so we have just had a lousy health-care bill stuffed down out throats by a group of venal and devious people led by a poser in an empty suit. We have been deceived and lied to and sold-out by backroom wheelers and dealers who promised us transparency but worked in hidden corners wielding heavy handed tactics of corrupt power politics. They have created a debt-monster that our children and grandchildren will never be able to pay for. The odor of their efforts stink to high-heaven! That’s the bad news! The good news is…IT DOESN’T MATTER!!!!!! For Christians it doesn’t matter because our God, not our government or any world power or economic system, is our source! It is He who promises to supply all we need to do all He asks… period! What God asks of us is...