It’s funny how Scripture remembers different people. Abraham is remembered as trusting; John as loving; Paul’s place is carved out by his writing. But Simeon was the man… looking!  Eight days after the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple. Luke 2:27 contains this curious statement: “Prompted by the Spirit, he (Simeon) came to the Temple.” The previous verse 26 tells us “The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen him—God’s anointed King.” Simeon was a man on tiptoe, wide-eyed and waiting for the one who would come to save Israel. Haven’t we, like Simeon, been told of … Listen Now

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Several years ago I spent a week speaking at a church in California—and had incredible hosts. All my meals were at a different house. But after a few meals I noticed all we ate was salad! No meat, no dessert—just salad. At first I thought it was a ‘California thing.’ But when I finally asked, the answer was, “We were told you eat nothing but salads!” Well, I quickly corrected them! The hosts meant well, but their information was bad! I’m happy to say we corrected the problem and enjoyed some good meat! I’m even happier to say Jesus won’t make the same … Listen Now

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Some of the saddest words on earth are: We don’t have room for you!  Sorry, I don’t have room for you on the team. I don’t have room for you in my heart. We don’t have room for your type here. Jesus was still in Mary’s womb when the innkeeper said, We don’t have room for you. When the religious leaders accused him of blasphemy saying, We don’t have room for a self-proclaimed Messiah! Even today Jesus goes from heart to heart, asking if he might enter. But more often than not he hears the words of the Bethlehem innkeeper…. sorry, too crowded. I don’t … Listen Now

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“Daddy, how much farther?” It’s the single question hated most by moms and dads on a trip. Our girls loved to watch The Little Mermaid, so Denalyn and I used the movie as an economy of scale. “How long, daddy?” they asked. And we’d respond, “About as long as it takes you to watch The Little Mermaid three times!” And for a few minutes it helped. But sooner or later they’d ask again and we’d say, “Just trust me. Enjoy the trip and don’t worry about the details. I’ll make sure we get home okay.” Sound familiar? In John 14:1-3 Jesus says, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in … Listen Now

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If you summarized your emotions regarding the return of Christ what word would you use? Discomfort…denial…disappointment…or hope? Maybe your word is discomfort. After all, the Book of Life will be opened, and names will be read. How could the thought of His return bring anything but discomfort? Maybe it’s denial? We prefer answers and explanations, and the end of time seems short on both. Or how about disappointment? A mother-to-be wants to hold her baby; an engaged couple want to be married. A soldier overseas wants to go home before he goes… home! Discomfort. Denial. Disappointment. All possible feelings. But here is the one feeling Christ … Listen Now

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Do you want to see a father’s face go ashen as he discovers three words on the box of a just-bought toy: Some assembly required. What follows are hours of squeezing A into B, bolting D into F, and hoping no one notices if steps four, five, and six were skipped altogether. I’m convinced the devil indwells the details of toy assembly. Somewhere in perdition is a warehouse of stolen toy parts. Some assembly required. Not the most welcome sentence but an honest one. Life is a gift, albeit unassembled. The pieces don’t fit. When they don’t, take your problem to Jesus. He says, Bring … Listen Now

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Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” A glimpse of God’s goodness changes us. If He is only slightly stronger than us, why pray? If He has limitations, questions, and hesitations, then you might as well pray to the Wizard of Oz. Psalm 68:5-6 says, God is “a father to the fatherless. He sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity.” Pray with me! Dear God. Today remind me today that you protect me. Be my father and defender. Defend those who’re weak and afraid and feel forgotten. Show up in their … Listen Now

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A lot of us make unnecessary messes. But we can change that. May I make a suggestion? Before you face the world, face your Father. Take this pocket prayer: Father, You are good. Your heart is good. The words might come slowly at first, but stay at it! You are always right. The weather’s bad, the economy is bad; but God, you are awesome! Don’t underestimate the power of this moment. You just opened the door to God and welcomed truth to enter your heart. Who knows, you might even start to worship. Is your world different because you prayed? In one sense, no. But you are … Listen Now

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Most people have small thoughts about God. In an effort to see God as our friend, we have lost his immensity. In our desire to understand him, we have sought to contain him. The God of the Bible cannot be contained. With a word he called Adam out of dust and Eve out of a bone. He consulted no committee. He sought no counsel. He has authority over the world and…He has authority over your world. He is never surprised. He has never, ever uttered the phrase, “How did that happen?” God’s goodness is a major headline in the Bible. If He were only mighty, … Listen Now

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When my eldest daughter was 13, she flubbed her piano piece at a recital. The silence in the auditorium was broken only by the pounding of her parents’ hearts. She hurried off the stage, threw her arms around me and buried her face in my shirt. “Oh, Daddy.”   That was enough for me. At that moment I’d have given her the moon and all she said was, “Oh Daddy!” Prayer starts here. Prayer begins with an honest, heartfelt, Oh, Daddy! Jesus invites us to approach God the way a child approaches his or her daddy. So my challenge for you is this:   Every day … Listen Now

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