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From Boredom to a Fruitful Life

February 3, 2015 by

Number 27 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” Stories and promises of the awesome blessings God gives us each day. I hope it encourages you today!

 

To be honest I find most churches boring.

I know that seems odd coming from an ex-pastor. Yet, I found seminary and pastor’s conferences to be even worse.

 

Photo Credit: Julie Falk

Photo Credit: Julie Falk

 

I can be a bit irreverent towards institutional religion. Talking about stuff that really helps no one I find detached and wastes time.

All the long faces and serious theological discussions just tees me up to say something off kilter to get a response.

But the real problem I see is so many people attending those churches live bored unproductive lives. Just going through the motions putting up with life until Jesus beams them up.

 

And so many people outside the church look on and with good reason say, “No thanks.”

 

That’s the real shame because I believe God intended this life to be powerful, productive and exciting. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Success Tagged With: ,

Sunday Music: “When I Think of You” with Michael W. Smith and the African Children’s Choir

February 1, 2015 by

Okay, it’s time for some toe tapping, heart lifting fun.

This performance simply brings a smile to my face as I see those children singing and dancing.

I hope it brightens your Sunday as well.

 

If you have trouble viewing this video you can watch it here.

 

Do you have a favorite music video you would like to share?

Please share your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter or email me. Thanks.

Filed Under: Music Tagged With: ,

Finding Peace When Faced with Death

January 29, 2015 by

Number 26 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” Stories and promises of the awesome blessings God gives us each day. I hope it encourages you today!

 

My father-in-law passed away a few days ago.

No matter how many times I’ve faced the death of a loved one I’m still always blindsided. Partly by grief and partly by the doubts that assail me. Doubts I thought I’d already dealt with.

 

Photo Credit: Beverly

Photo Credit: Beverly

 

“Will I see him again? How can I know for sure? Is Heaven real? Who’s there? Will I be there?”

I know, coming from a spiritually focused writer and ex-pastor, you’re shocked perhaps. I mean I’m supposed to have it all together, right? Well, not always.

I find the love expressed by friends and family tremendously supporting. But I also often find the platitudes given do little to calm the storm.

 

So I wrestle again and try to find that peace.

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Happiness, Heaven Tagged With: ,

A Tribute to a Good Father I Hardly Knew

January 27, 2015 by

My father-in-law Jack passed away a few days ago at 95. Though we had many conversations we really hardly knew each other.

 

 

Photo Credit: Doug Armey

Photo Credit: Doug Armey

 

 

He was born into a poor family in Oklahoma. As an infant they moved to Missouri where his father spent time in jail for running moonshine. A few years later they moved to California.

After graduating from high school he enlisted in the army and spent four years landing on beaches in the Pacific in World War II. Through it all he earned two Bronze Stars and one Silver Star for valor.

When the war ended he returned home and never spoke about it. He said he couldn’t remember what he won the Bronze Stars for and would only in briefest terms tell the circumstances of the Silver Star.

 

I think there were just too many harsh memories he wanted to forget.

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Heaven, Love, Significance Tagged With: ,

Sunday Music: “Going Home” Fallen Soldier Bagpipe Tribute

January 25, 2015 by

This video is particularly poignant for me today.  We buried my father-in-law, a World War 2 veteran, on Friday and this song was played by bagpipe at his service.

To each of you who have buried loved ones it always seems too soon no matter their age.

Thank God for the hope of seeing them again.

Blessings on this Sunday.

 

If you have trouble viewing this video you can watch it here.

 

Do you have a favorite music video?

If you would like to share it please comment on Facebook and Twitter or send me an email.  Thanks.

Filed Under: Music Tagged With:

Unlocking the Door to an Extraordinary Life

January 22, 2015 by

Number 25 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” Stories and promises of the awesome blessings God gives us each day. I hope it encourages you today!

 

I see so many people settle for mediocre. Just live average. Get by.

 

Photo Credit: Thomas Hawk

Photo Credit: Thomas Hawk

 

Working at a job they hate so they can just get a paycheck.

Going through the motions of a marriage that long ago lost all excitement.

Vegetating in front of a TV for hours every night with no recollection days later of what they even watched.

So some try religion. Yet, frankly I don’t see much difference. Most church services are boring. Pastors preach about stuff that maybe interested them in seminary but seems irrelevant to life.

At the end of their life so many look back and wonder, “Where did it all go? What was it all for?”

 

And they regret the wasted years.

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Success Tagged With: ,

The Perfect Gift at the Perfect Time

January 20, 2015 by

Number 24 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” Stories and promises of the awesome blessings God gives us each day. I hope it encourages you today!

 

I see several misperceptions of God that keep people far away from him.

 

Photo Credit: Bradley Dean

Photo Credit: Bradley Dean

 

First, obviously, believing he doesn’t exist or if he does he’s some impersonal life force that has no awareness of my existence. So really there’s little point in praying.

Second, believing perhaps he does exist but he’s way too busy with major world issues to be concerned about my day to day problems.

Third, if he exists he’s like an omnipotent traffic cop just waiting for me to screw up so he can slap me with a ticket. Frankly you just want to stay off his radar.

Fourth and I see this one in the church all the time. God sends trouble my way to test me so I can prove whether I’m really faithful. That one really irritates me. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Success Tagged With: ,

Sunday Music: “Finally Home” by MercyMe

January 18, 2015 by

This song touches me deeply as my wife’s father passed away last week.  At 95 he lived a long and full life and now he’s finally home.

I’m so glad for that hope of seeing him, my own mom and dad and friends who have gone before me.  I look forward to the reunion.

I hope you have that same hope.  And that this song brings you comfort on your Sunday.

 

If you have trouble viewing this video you can watch it here.

 

Do you have a favorite music video you would like for me to share?

Please share your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter or email me. Thanks.

 

Filed Under: Music Tagged With:

Sensing God’s Presence in the Midst of Struggles

January 15, 2015 by

Number 23 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” Stories and promises of the awesome blessings God gives us each day. I hope it encourages you today!

 

We all go through struggles when frankly we feel all alone.

I’ve talked with people who knew they were dying. And no matter how much support they had they walked it alone.

I’ve felt that aloneness too as I’ve gone through struggles. The support of loved ones was tremendous. But in the end I had to walk the path by myself.

 

Photo Credit: Blake Danger Bentley

Photo Credit: Blake Danger Bentley

 

We can surround ourselves with others. Stay busy in our jobs. Work diligently on the problems. All of those things are helpful and good.

Yet, when the busyness stops and we pause we feel the weight of facing the challenge alone. And it can feel overwhelming.

 

We enter into what’s been called “the dark night of the soul.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Heaven, Love Tagged With: ,

Insights When Life Grows Confusing

January 13, 2015 by

Number 22 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” Stories and promises of the awesome blessings God gives us each day. I hope it encourages you today!

 

I find life can be really confusing at times. Challenges blind side us without warning.

 

Photo Credit: Henry Burrows

Photo Credit: Henry Burrows

 

Relationships explode suddenly sometimes with little advance notice or possibility of reconciliation.

Surprise health issues hit us and continue to spiral down.

Economic setbacks slam us and leave us struggling to stay ahead.

 

Suddenly we’re reeling from the blow. We feel confused, angry and depressed as we think about our situation.

 

I think part of the problem today also which adds to this is we all live somewhat isolated lives. So we lack the support networks of previous generations.

Often our extended family is absent or at a distance. We tend to not join support organizations as people once did.

So when we’re faced with those challenges we can feel really alone. We don’t have the support and collective wisdom from others. And that can feel daunting and overwhelming. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Success Tagged With: ,
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