Tears, who hasn’t experienced them. Oh, I know, our culture says that the strong don’t cry. In reality the opposite is true. If I can’t cry in front of you, it means I’ve surrendered my emotions to your control. What I perceive to be your opinion will dominate my response. So, that makes me weak, not strong. Ancient Greek warriors would go down to the beach and weep and wail like babies. No one controlled their emotions. Crying was a sign of great strength. Unfortunately our culture has flipped that truth on its head and seeks to make wimps out of all of us. Very sad.

When God said, “I AM,” it wasn’t the last time Moses would hear that still small voice. It wasn’t the last time Moses would need God’s direction and counsel; His boldness and courage; His strength and power. So it was good for Moses to know when the gun went off to run the race, “I AM” would be there. Photo by Matteo Grando on Unsplash

Mitigation. Social Distancing. Lockdown. Pandemic. COVID-19. These words on the surface seem constricting, even harsh at times. They seem to come equipped with ropes to tie us all in knots and bind our ability to live in freedom. But, in fact, for the church, those words have become Divine doors of fresh understanding. The old hasn’t been totally done away with, but the new that has surfaced is a God-send. Photo by Pietro De Grandi on Unsplash

What are your true colors? Are you looking for relief or for God? Are you in search of solutions or a Savior? Is getting past the lockdown more important than getting to a point of full surrender to Christ? What are your true colors? Photo by Paola Galimberti on Unsplash

Imagine being on a long hike that leaves you tired and thirsty, and suddenly you come upon a fountain overflowing with clear, cold, refreshing water. Beside the fountain is a pool inviting you to jump in and swim if you’d like. Over the fountain is a sign saying: “Before you can go on you must drink this water!”

There are others who define “intimacy” as sex and not much more. Truth be told, there is depth to the word intimacy and requires more than some are willing give in order to experience it.

We’ve all got it…no exception to the rule. It doesn’t matter whether you’re filthy rich or dirt poor; well educated or illiterate. It doesn’t matter what color you are, what religion you profess or where you live…you’ve got it. Hands down…you’ve got it. Do you know what “it” is? It’s Influence. You have influence!

As Leviticus states, every sacrifice to God had to be perfect. The person offering the sacrifice had to have his/her act together. No blemishes or scars on anything. No half-hearted approaches to God. No stumbling into the sacred sanctuary. God said, “Be holy even as I am holy.” No room for error in the Book of Leviticus.

“Everything happens for a reason.” AAAHHHH! Just putting that expression in print makes me want to backspace and erase it from existence. In this instance, the word “reason” is used as a synonym for “purpose.” I’m cringing. Few statements could be further from the truth. Well-meaning individuals say this frequently and with a good heart…but it’s still a whoha statement.

Whatever happened to our ability to discuss ideas? Is it possible anymore to actually engage in productive discourse, the exchange of ideas? And why is it that whenever someone disagrees, they are considered to be haters?

“Money doesn’t grow on trees.” How many times have you heard that phrase? Growing up I heard it more than I desired. Why? Because as a child it wasn’t uncommon for me to get a case of the “wants.”

Hey…who doesn’t like a little affirmation?! We all do. It’s nice when someone says to you, “You are really exceptional at your job.” Or “You are a very good parent.” Or “You are a very discerning person.” Yeah…we all like affirmation.

We’ll never grow if we fail to closely examine our beliefs and spiritual dogmas. But in the process we must be careful to, and forgive my use of this old expression, not throw the baby out with the bath water.

Whatever happened to commonsense and logic? Sometimes when I read the news or see the feed on social media, I feel as if I have been transported to a bizarre world where logic and commonsense do not have permission to function.