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...

$$$$$$$$$ – ???

I read the following statements on a Christian leader’s blog recently, “We were created to work and money is like air; we need it to breathe. We need money to survive.” Do you believe that? Most Americans do. But the fact is it is a terrible analogy and especially from a Christian. The idea is so American culture, but so unbiblical. Money isn’t anything like air. I can live a very long life and experience all the really important qualities of life without money, but I can only live a few minutes without air. In God’s economy of sovereign abundance He has made all the most important things for the abundant life the easiest to obtain and most freely available. Air is first on the list, followed by water, food and shelter. Money never appears on God’s...

What Do “Watchers” See?

We live, but even in today’s semi-isolated and individualistically focused culture, we never live alone. Except perhaps for the tiny portion of our population who are true hermits and recluses, we live among, and are always observed by others. Our values show through our ifestyle and the way we live speaks volumes to them about what we believe and what is most important to us. No matter what our status or position in society others are watching us and drawing conclusions about us based on what they see. No, it’s not a matter of are they watching, the question is what do they see? For those of us who claim to be Christ-followers, does that fact stand out in any significant way to the “watchers?” Is there and discernable difference between what they see in us and...

Three Steps to a Better Marriage

Bonnie and I have been blessed with 35 years of successful marriage. We have had our share of struggles as we have tried to build our lives together, but we both agree, our lives and marriage are better today than they ever have been, and we look to the future with excitement and hope. I have been asked to briefly give a couple of keys to what we have found to be a way to do marriage that works. There are so many things that God has used and is using that it is hard to pick just a few. For me, not to try to over-spiritualize, but it starts with understanding, and accepting God’s role for me in our relationship. The basic concept that I am to love Bonnie as Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself up for it is where it all started. I had failed in marriage twice before coming to...