Our dog takes us for a walk every night. In fact, if I am not outside putting his leash on by 9:00, he knocks on the door to get my attention! My bride and I have enjoyed those nightly walks over the years. When the kids were at home, walking was “our time” to discuss the day, what the kids were facing and what issues were percolating. With the kids grown, it is still “our time” to connect on things that happened across the day or are on the horizon.
The primary benefit of walking for us is emotional – a time of winding down and tuning in. We had no idea that the physical benefit of a 3 mile loop could be so impactful. A recent study ...read on
The bride and groom made a beautiful couple. I congratulated them and said, “You guys are going to be great parents!” To my shock, they responded in unison, “Why would we want to bring children into this messed up world?” I gave them what I know were great responses but the atmosphere was toxic over the status quo in the world. Finally, I pointed them to a Billy Joel song that reflected on a history of troubled times. After they googled “Billy Joel”, the song got their attention.
The catalyst behind the song, “We Didn’t Start the Fire” was ...read on
Pete was not impressed. Even as a young boy, an altar boy, he witnessed lay leaders doing church. A couple of men would do their turn at the readings during Mass religiously but all Pete would see was their bloodshot eyes. Repeatedly these men would follow a Saturday night binge with doing church on Sunday. Was church simply a check on one side of the ledger to offset an indiscretion on the other side of the ledger?
Doing church was not for Pete and he stayed clear of churches for a number of years. As a young father he decided to ...read on
Kevin grew up in a violent alcoholic home. The arguments were many, often erupting to the point where his mom would load up the kids in the car and drive around until his dad fell asleep. Other times his mom would have to call the police and he would watch his dad be subdued by the officers, handcuffed and put in the patrol car. His mom’s resolve in marriage was impressive but the family life was not healthy. He assumed all families struggled like this.
Jeff’s work required extensive travel during the week. On weekends he entertained clients on the golf course, often spending time beyond the golf for drinks and a meal afterward. Jeff was well respected in his profession, a good manager with a knack for connecting with customers and building solid business relationships.
On the personal side, Jeff did the “church thing” when he did not have an early Sunday tee time. He provided well for his family and his marriage was okay. He thought tension in the marriage would ease once he was able to establish a level of financial security. One Sunday at church, ...read on
His teenage son walked in the room and said, “Dad, can we talk? I have been struggling with pornography for over two years and I need your help to quit this.” Ken’s first reaction was anger but he kept it in check. The second emotion experienced was embarrassment because he struggled with pornography as well. His inclination was to hide his embarrassment with anger toward his son. That would give him cover and shut down the conversation he did not want to have. But Ken was convicted to do better than that.
Ken sat down and talked with his son about how beautiful women are ...read on
In the hit movie, “War Room”, Tony was the man! He was physically fit. He was his company’s top salesman, landing deals others could not and landing the associated pay with bonuses. He had a large home, a beautiful wife and a precious little girl. Life was good.
Life also involved long hours with the job, extensive travel and pressure for continued results. The intense pursuit of success created tension in the home and frustration in the marriage relationship. Temptation knocked on the door during a business trip ...read on
Andy had just moved into the area and was settling into a new church. He felt a bit uncomfortable as several of the men in the church actually kind of hugged each other on Sunday mornings as they said, “Good morning brother.” While Andy had played the major sports growing up and certainly hugged a teammate after a big play or victory, he saw hugging as odd for church etiquette and steered clear of those men.
One Sunday, one of “those men” came up to Andy, ...read on
Joe felt pretty good about his circle of friends. Luncheon and dinner engagements were frequent. And he had a group of guys would hit the golf course with a few times a month. Conversations stayed pretty superficial but he felt that was what friends were supposed to do, not get into each other’s business.
When Joe left the corporate world, his friends became hard to find. The circle of friends was indeed ...read on
Jesus was given a work to do, a will to obey and a woman to love. His work was to reconnect man with the Father by putting death to sin, healing the disconnect created by Adam in the relationship God desired with man. Jesus’ will to obey was to testify to Truth beyond what the world could comprehend, obeying His Father’s will all the way to the point of death on the cross. His woman to love was the Church, established through a loving relationship with His disciples first as slaves, then friends and finally brothers.
Ron had a work to do, to provide for his family. After a period of immersion in his job and career a men’s movement, called Promise Keepers challenged him ...read on
Pete was not impressed. Even as a young boy, an altar boy, he witnessed lay leaders doing church. A couple of men would do their turn at the readings during Mass religiously but all Pete would see was their bloodshot eyes. Repeatedly these men would follow a Saturday night binge with doing church on Sunday. Was church simply a check on one side of the ledger to offset an indiscretion on the other side of the ledger?
Kevin grew up in a violent alcoholic home. The arguments were many, often erupting to the point where his mom would load up the kids in the car and drive around until his dad fell asleep. Other times his mom would have to call the police and he would watch his dad be subdued by the officers, handcuffed and put in the patrol car. His mom’s resolve in marriage was impressive but the family life was not healthy. He assumed all families struggled like this.
His teenage son walked in the room and said, “Dad, can we talk? I have been struggling with pornography for over two years and I need your help to quit this.” Ken’s first reaction was anger but he kept it in check. The second emotion experienced was embarrassment because he struggled with pornography as well. His inclination was to hide his embarrassment with anger toward his son. That would give him cover and shut down the conversation he did not want to have. But Ken was convicted to do better than that.
In the hit movie, “War Room”, Tony was the man! He was physically fit. He was his company’s top salesman, landing deals others could not and landing the associated pay with bonuses. He had a large home, a beautiful wife and a precious little girl. Life was good.
Joe felt pretty good about his circle of friends. Luncheon and dinner engagements were frequent. And he had a group of guys would hit the golf course with a few times a month. Conversations stayed pretty superficial but he felt that was what friends were supposed to do, not get into each other’s business.
Jesus was given a work to do, a will to obey and a woman to love. His work was to reconnect man with the Father by putting death to sin, healing the disconnect created by Adam in the relationship God desired with man. Jesus’ will to obey was to testify to Truth beyond what the world could comprehend, obeying His Father’s will all the way to the point of death on the cross. His woman to love was the Church, established through a loving relationship with His disciples first as slaves, then friends and finally brothers.
