“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) As a child, I was terrified of death. I lost my mother when I was seven years old. So death was not just a figment of my imagination. I saw its sting and I understood how it could tear a family apart. I still fear death, largely because I continue to view it through the eyes of that seven-year old that lost his mother. Yet, for the mature Christian, death is a part of […]

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2) Several years ago, former University of Oklahoma football great, and then Congressman J.C. Watts, stood on the platform at the Republican National Convention and said something about integrity that I will never forget. Watts defined integrity as “doing what’s right when no one is looking.” This is the one time of the year when our integrity will be at its greatest risk. Why? Because it’s income tax season! While we may not want to […]

“And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:6, NIV) When I was an eighth grader, I fell in love with a ninth grader. She was my first love, and understandably the most beautiful girl I thought I had ever seen. She also came from a wealthy family, something to which I was not accustomed since I grew up in a lower middle class working family. Back then, boys like me weren’t supposed to be with girls like her. Yet somehow, […]

“He who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6) If the truth were ever told about the effect that doubt could have in your life, the above verse hits the nail on the head. I’ll tell you something else that’s true about doubt. It is expected in the life of every believer. So don’t be discouraged when doubt comes your way. It’s never a permanent condition, and the irony of doubt is that it always brings with it an […]