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7 Signs That You Need Better Boundaries in Relationships After years of helping clients with boundary issues, I began researching the topic to gain clarity and information. Many of my clients need assistance in setting clearer boundaries in relationships. They complain that they often give...

What Does Reproach Mean? A Biblical Definition of Reproach and Above Reproach What does the word reproach mean when used in the biblical context and what is the biblical definition of reproach? Reproach is… Someone who is above reproach is said to be not deserving of blame or criticism for...

Building New Gauges [ 1 min read ★ ] Do not be conformed to this world—Romans 12:2 We men love to measure things. And we have, at our disposal, highly accurate gauges for measuring just about anything, including the progress of our lives. I mean, we never have...

With Friends Like These . . . [ 1 min read ★ ] My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ—James 2:1 We men tend toward partiality. Sometimes with forethought, many times with no thought, we give or withhold based upon...

Entitlement Is One of the Greatest Enemies of True Happiness Though all of us, if asked, might say that we don’t have any more right to a perfect and pain-free life than the next person, in our own hearts and minds, we tend to believe that we do. So, when forced to suffer, even mature...

Combatting Unhealthy Fear Psalm 19:9 says, “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever!” I have now lived fifty-four years. I have spent forty-five of those a follower of Jesus Christ. I have spent thirty-six of those preparing or serving as a pastor. I have spent twenty-eight of...

3 Signs You’re Wrecking Your Marriage I was wrecking my marriage, and I didn’t even realize it. Five years in and I was ready to give up. I thought the problem was my husband. If he’d just “shape up,” we’d have a great marriage. He didn’t want to spend time with me, and he didn’t seem...

Prepare for Battle [ 1 min read ★ ] . . . on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it—Matthew 16:18 We’re designed for battle by our Father God; we’re led into battle by our King, Jesus Christ; we’re aided in battle...

Diabetes Is One of the Best Things That’s Happened to Me In July 1985 I became an insulin-dependent diabetic, and my first book, Money Possessions, and Eternity, was published. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me—becoming a diabetic, I mean. Getting published was good too...

Stay Salty, My Friends [ 1 min read ★ ] Woe to you, when all people speak well of you—Luke 6:26 Sooner or later our faith conflicts with friendship. Sooner or later our faith is tested against friendship. You see, the time will come, for each of us, when a...

Top 7 Bible Verses About Raising Money or Fundraising Third John 3:5-8 “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God...

When Losses Hit We Must Walk Hand In Hand With God How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? Psalm 13: 1-2 This week was full of losses. Material losses. Political...

Rallying Cries [ 1 min read ★ ] Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong—1 Corinthians 16:13 When we men gather, our gatherings should be about something. Without a something, brotherhood doesn’t last. There are, of course, plenty of...

What motivates obedience when I don’t want to obey? What does true obedience to God look like—and what doesn’t it look like? This isn’t just a theoretical question. It goes to the heart of what it means to follow Christ. Many of us know we’re supposed to obey God, but have we asked, “Why am...

God both exceeds and undermines our expectations Matthew 13 serves as a compelling montage for ministry wisdom, presenting Jesus’ parables about God’s kingdom. The parables, in their simplicity and depth, provide a multifaceted view of what it means to be a part of God’s Kingdom, defying and...

Psalm 20:1-9 Trusting God in Prayer Living next to the Gulf Coast has sensitized me to “the calm before the storm,” that eerie moment of silence just before the winds and rains crash in upon us. The skies become leaden. The wind subsides momentarily. The smell of rain is in the air. It is as...

What Does The Right Hand Symbolize or Mean In The Bible? Is there special meaning or significance to the “right hand” in Scripture? What does the right hand symbolize? The Hand of Authority You’ve probably heard the phrase “he’s my right hand man” but where does this phrase come from? I...

Quiet Wins: The Hidden Strength of a Slower Life We live in a culture that often embraces a “go big or go home” way of thinking, not quiet wins. This phrase, used by many, implies that success is found only when we take bold, often illogical leaps for greatness, visibility, fame, and success...

What’s in Your Backyard? (Digging up the Past) As a boy, I was once bullied by a bigger kid down the street to help him dig in his backyard for “treasure.” We worked diligently for a week after school. Although the labor was coerced, I was certain I would find enough money for a new bike or...

Releasing Your Spouse’s Potential After Sin Sin is the ultimate destroyer of relationships. Not only does it make people do stupid and irresponsible things, but it distracts us from our purpose, dilutes the bond God created in marriage, and causes untold damage to families. But if we live out...