Disneyland trademarked it first, but Gianni's Pizza is the real "happiest place on earth." I was raised on the stuff. I drive up and can smell the pies baking a few blocks away. I once had a friend who lived around the corner. (7 Minutes, 1700 Words)
Read moreArchival Post: When Plans Magically Come Together Proverbs 16:1
“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.”(Proverbs 16:1). As I sat at a table full of pastors, my plan was set. Through prayer and thought, time and research, observation and faith, I had come to my conclusion. I had written down bullet points and was now ready to share the plan of my heart. Then something magical happened, only it wasn’t magic, but the Spirit of God changing plans as they traveled from my heart to my tongue. (1 Minute/250 Words)
Read moreOvercoming Your Jerichos (Joshua 5:13-15)
Joshua, the newly minted leader of Israel, was perplexed. Moses always knew what to do, but now he was gone. In recent days, God worked miraculously to bring nomadic Israel into the permanence of the Promised Land, parting the Jordan River's floodwaters so they could enter in. Forty years earlier God had split the Red Sea for their parents and grandparents, and now God showed this new generation his favor. (5 Minutes, 1000 Words)
Read more6 Great Attributes of Jesus’ High Priestly Service to You (Hebrews 7)
No one is like Jesus. I have never known anyone as impressive as him. My Savior, he is also my guide, friend, leader, counselor, teacher, financial planner, advisor, coach, helper, intercessor, and pastor. I cannot imagine how I'd get through life without him and his constant aid. (15 Minutes, 3700 Words)
Read moreArchival Post: 40 Things I Am Thankful to Christ for on My 40th Birthday
I am thankful for what the Lord has done in me so far, and I look forward to all he will continue to do in me. I want to grow in him, to be conformed more fully into the image of Jesus. I crave that deeper Christlikeness and feel I have so far to go. Here, on my birthday, it only seems appropriate to thank God. All praise to him! Here are forty things that come to mind. (6 Minutes/1600 Words)
Read moreAs Life Complexifies, Trust Must Broaden (Psalm 46:10)
He stood powerless in front of the people. Thousands had gathered. For them, life had become hopeless, and this man had told them to follow him. And follow they did, leaving everything to give him a shot. But now he stood, fearing he'd made a mistake. He might have led them straight to their demise. (2 Minutes, 400 Words)
Read moreAvoid Irreverent Babble (2 Timothy 2:16)
Keep talking, bro. Pretty soon nothing will be unholy. Everything will be sacred. No desire will be refused. Keep on babbling. Let the words twist and turn. Create arguments. Make it more complex than it has to be. If you keep at it, you'll hack down the whole tree. Soon, you'll be left with a stump of a belief system which will cohabitate nicely with your world's. (2 Minutes/350 Words)
Read moreArchival Post: How to Go to Church
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How to Go to Church
A Guide for the Climb -- Chapter 3 -- Have a Vision for the Gathering (Psalm 122)
Our ancient Hebrew pilgrim, readying himself for the journey to Jerusalem, wanted God in his life. He wanted God every day, not only during the three annual feasts at the temple. He understood, though, how limited his everyday experience with God would be if he didn't go to Jerusalem. If he never gathered with other believers to worship God, he'd experience less of God than he craved. (20 Minutes/5000 Words)
Read moreJesus Can Bear Your Crushed Spirit (Proverbs 18:14)
The Proverb tells us that enduring physical sickness is often easier to endure than a crushed spirit. When you become sick, it's one thing. But when you become depressed because of that sickness, it's another. Who can bear a crushed spirit? Who can handle a broken soul? (3 Minutes/600 Words)
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