Last week I met with one of my key leaders about growing in understanding of Scripture. I mentioned that there are three main ways of studying the Bible: the micro, the medium, and the Big Picture methods. The “micro” method is where we look at a key verse or verses and memorize them. Psalm 119 … Continue reading Getting the Big Picture of the Bible

Today is tax day. We remember Jesus’ immortal response when asked by the religious leaders whether it was right for them to pay taxes to the Roman government. He said, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and render unto God that which is God’s.” This is not just a clever statement. Jesus really meant … Continue reading Rendering Unto Caesar

From time to time, I experience spiritual dryness; going through seasons where I struggle. But today, while going through my daily discipline of Scripture reading, I came across a passage that totally ministered to me. It was as if God had inspired that Scripture to speak to my particular situation for that particular moment! Now … Continue reading Bread or Band-Aid?

The other day I was having breakfast with my good friend, Felix – a fellow Whole Life Worshiper of Jesus. Felix has seen many spiritual doors open up with clients and associates (he’s both an amazing contractor and an accomplished jazz musician) who constantly ask him about his sunny disposition and cheerful outlook on life. … Continue reading Choosing this Day to Win!

(note: this was supposed to go out Monday, but I messed up! So here it is. I'm back from my Retreat and it was amazing! More to follow - Doug) As you are reading this blog, I am at a spiritual formation retreat led by author, Ruth Haley Barton, in the greater Chicago area. This … Continue reading Retreat with Ruth

I have a confession to make: there are days when I don’t spend time with God. I don’t like it and I try to keep this from happening, but sometimes it just does. Last Friday was one of those days. After my morning workout at the gym, I had to take a quick shower and … Continue reading Ambushed by God!

Do you remember the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11)? It is a very profound story in many ways. First, it is a sign of Jesus' divine nature - only God can bring a dead man back to life. Second, it shows the compassion of Jesus - before He raised Lazarus, … Continue reading Doing the Possible as God Does the Impossible

God has called us to live a “large” life for Him. He wants to give us His blessings, His power, His love, His forgiveness, His joy, His hope, His peace, His transformation. These are all things that make life LARGER. They, if we will receive them, enable us to live ABUNDANT lives (see John 10:10, … Continue reading Getting Rid of Life-Shrinkers

There’s a internal radio station that the world seems to be dialed into: WIIFM, which stands for “What’s In It For Me?” It’s the whole attitude that we don’t do anything except that which benefits ourselves. Unfortunately, that mindset has thoroughly infiltrated the Christian community. People worship in order to get spiritually moved. People pray … Continue reading Moving from Station WIIFM

I had just finished doing my elliptical workout in record time (don’t ask me how slow it was!) As I lay on the ab bench, staring at the gym rafters, I was laboring to find my wind again! How thankful I was for God’s gift of air!! It was then I had one of those … Continue reading Exercising Eternal Life Now