I come from a family of pharmacists. My dad and uncle were pharmacists, as are my brother, sister, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law. Back in my HS years, I used to work in my dad’s drug store, mostly receiving the shipments and making sure the shelves were well stocked with merchandise. A large part of our inventory … Continue reading Over-the-Counter Christianity

I confess. This is not an original thought. I got the gist of this from Joni Earekson Tada’s (@joniandfriends) radio show. But it’s too good not to share it with you! When the autumn season comes, I encourage you to take some time to look at the moon – particularly a full, harvest moon. It … Continue reading Shine … Like the Moon!

  Have you noticed how much the Bible talks about the “one another’s”? We are called to love one another unconditionally, to bear one another’s burdens, to encourage one another in following Christ and to teach one another the ways of the Lord. The “one another’s” are not just “ideals” we should think about; they … Continue reading The Power of Mentors

One of the values we hold dear in Whole Life Worship is the transformation. We believe that Christ not only came to bring us eternal life, but abundant life, as well. This abundant life occurs as we are changed or transformed by the power of Christ through His Spirit who dwells within us. The theological … Continue reading Sanctification or Sanitization?

  Recently I felt under spiritual attack. No, I wasn’t spinning my head or spitting up pea soup, but I might as well have. My mind was filled with all sorts of lies, fears, and misconceptions. My mouth was filled with ugly accusations, manipulation, self-righteousness and vindictiveness. And in the process I was (unwittingly) taking … Continue reading HALT the Spiritual Attack

I’m going to discuss the topic that no one really likes to talk about – sin. It seems that we avoid talking about sin or we joke about it or we inflate it (like, “Oh, I’m the worst sinner in the world!”), but very rarely do we really confront it. And yet, nothing keeps us … Continue reading Unrooting the Root of Sin

It is good to dwell upon God’s grace. Many songs and scores of sermons are written about God’s unconditional love for us; love that drove Him to take the cross for us, love that bore our sin and shame. It is also wonderful to meditate upon our great salvation: how we were spared from an … Continue reading You Are God’s Work of Art

I had an interesting phone conversation with a friend the other day. He was driving down the freeway (using his “hands-free” device, of course) when, all of a sudden, a large truck pulled out in front of him. “I can’t believe that truck pulled in front of me and blocked me in!” he exclaimed. I … Continue reading Blocked Goals!

Here’s a topic we are all-too familiar with: being overwhelmed! Whether it is the added stresses to a normal day or being hit with an unexpected emergency or falling behind on a project, the feeling is the same: this sense of dread, confusion and loss of hope. Our human coping mechanisms to “being overwhelmed” are … Continue reading Overwhelmed!

I remember a day when I was quite upset with one of my sons. He made a request that disrupted my plans. I was angry for a number of “good reasons.” I stewed it over for several moments. I determined in my heart that I would not lash out at my son, but make this … Continue reading Taming the Tongue