Tag: Jesus
Forgiveness is not a slogan
PREPARATION
She came in complaining about my sermons always being about forgiveness and grace. According to her, I needed to come down harder on the sinners and in her words, ”nail them with guilt.”
After her rant, I asked, “So, when did forgiveness and grace become more than slogan concepts for you?”
“Ron, there are some things you [...]
Agree or Disagree?
PREPARATION
My friend David Himes has suggested, “For most people, the Bible is like a software license. Few actually read it. They just scroll to the bottom and click ‘I agree.’”
His observation gives me a chance to say, “Too many believers settle for faith that is little more than a list of statements they agree with. [...]
Leap Year: Live to Give
PREPARATION
Generosity is a core value of Jesus followers. It displays the power of God and describes who we are.
It all starts with a decision to risk. When we give our time, our talents, and our money we are risking a piece of our hearts. It is our faith in God that empowers us to turn [...]
What’s the follow-up question?
PREPARATION
A while back I sent an email to 300 men asking them to answer a simple question: “In the real world, what are you planning to do in the next 12 months that will define you as a man of faith?”
Some wanted to argue about the question, a few responded with lengthy theological explanations, but [...]
Get out of the Book and into action
PREPARATION
Today’s Faith Note is a shout-out for followers of Jesus. These grace-filled believers distinguish themselves, not as watchdogs or campaigners, but as humble field agents embedded in the ups and downs of everyday life. Disguised as ordinary people, followers humble themselves and pray and seek God’s face…When we do that, we will automatically change and [...]
Discover the spirit of adventure
PREPARATION
For the believer, life is a growing collection of God stories. You have more than you know.
God is there in every new page of the adventure, whether we feel His presence, or not. We trust the promise, “I will never leave you.” Embedded in each trust experience is a faith story. That means I choose [...]
The Invitation
PREPARATION
Several years ago, when I read The Shack, it took me on a journey. William Young has written a book that provokes and prods us, but at the same time lifts and liberates us. It begins with a single envelope in Mac’s mailbox. Inside is a call, an invitation, a challenge: “Mackenzie, It’s been a [...]
Hidden Requirement for the Faith Journey
PREPARATION
Songs have a way of touching us in profound ways at the most critical times. Truth is, you have a playlist of songs that reflect your life journey. Not limited to any one genre, these songs reveal a smorgasbord perspective on where we’ve been and where we are now.
When the lyrics and melody find synergy–when [...]
The “Buzz” Challenge
I wish we could have a cyber celebration
We have begun our 5th year at Faith Coaching Network. God has been gracious and patient. In many ways, I feel like we have just now found our place in His vision.
But, We CAN have a cyber challenge
God is up to something new, do you see it?
“See, I am doing [...]
Unwrapping the heart of Thanksgiving
PREPARATION
The family gathered around the Thanksgiving table and began sharing the things they were thankful for. The youngest sat there patiently listening. Then finally it was his turn. He looked at that big old turkey on the platter by his dad and said, “I’m thankful I wasn’t born with feathers!” His words will be remembered [...]
Looking for treasure in trash
PREPARATION
Are you among the numbers of people who have never visited or even seen the dump (not talking here about the retail discount chain)? Perhaps you’ve seen news reports on “sanitary landfills,” or watched a documentary about recycling programs, but you’ve missed-out on the total sensory experience of the local dump–mountains and layers of smelly, [...]
Forget the speeches, take action
PREPARATION
Faith is not about choosing the right section in the stands, dressing in the team colors, or yelling for, or at, the team on the field. Faith doesn’t get drunk and obnoxious and rude; it doesn’t cross it’s fingers and wish for humiliation and defeat on the field. Faith is not about cheering and winning.
In [...]
A Personal Epilog
Back to the future
We began our journey with Abraham‘s call and the adventure of faith. He introduced us to what we call the Holy Land. We discovered Holy Ground each time God opened our eyes, each time we heard fresh words and discovered new insight. As the stories echoed through the valleys, the places provided [...]
Listening for echoes
Looking for Jesus where He lived
The last day of our Holy Ground Adventure was filled with insights and inspiration. On this day we unwrapped fresh layers of Jesus in the place He called home.
After his Synagogue confrontation in Nazareth, Jesus came to live in Capernaum along the North shore of the Sea of Galilee. In [...]
Jesus was here, but He is coming back
Inspiration and imagination remain
The Mediterranean Sea was a welcome sight. The cool breeze and pounding waves were relaxing and refreshing. We walked the shore and imagined majestic building pushing their way above the rocks and out into the sea.
After the seaside adventure, we walked to the top of Megiddo. It seems this poor town has [...]
