Excelling in Christ

Within the straight and narrow road there is more depth and satisfaction than can be fully consumed in a lifetime. Walking in the footsteps of Jesus sounds limiting to many people, but there are people that discover that there is boundless joy and wonder available to those that stay strictly in the pattern of Jesus' footsteps. Obviously, all roads do not lead to heaven, at least not according...

Placebo or the Real Deal? Religion is full of con artist just out to get your money. How can you enjoy the spiritual life and avoid the cons? Most of us have spiritual longings. Religion is never going away. Even as people are leaving Christianity, they are not leaving their hunger for the spiritual. They are simply sick of all the fakes and frauds that have no back bone and simply preach to make...

Jesus said, "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.  For by your words, you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37)   I sometimes call that the scariest passage in the Bible.  Think about all the words you say.  You speak somewhere between ten-thousand and twenty-thous...

The sweetest victories come after the toughest fights.  Thus, the reason there is inexhaustible joy in Christianity, because the victories are tough, hard fought, difficult, and only the most persistent reach the sweet taste of victory over and over again as they keep pressing on to higher and higher ground.

God made humankind stewards of this planet.  It is a blessing and a privilege, but some people miss the deeper purpose.  Why did God do this when He could have easily took care of it Himself. Why did God create all that we see just to erase it with fire some future day.  That sort of sounds like a waste of our stewardship efforts, or is it?

In the Bible it is possible for a person to confess, repent and still be lost.  I know it sounds crazy to the casual reader, but the Bible even gives cases of people that confessed their error and changed their course and were still lost. So, what's up with that? 

“What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  What a wonderful question.  God involves us in the process.  He does not choose our eternity for us.  Thus, Jesus came to seek and save the lost.  He reaches out to us, not wanting any to perish.  Christianity offers such an abundant life (John 10:10), and the rich young ruler was just a couple of steps away from entering that phenomenal life in Christ.

The distance between where you are and where you want to be, is the journey you need to take. The first step is to look at the map, self-exam, and understand where you are at this time. Then we ponder potential next steps, which is simply to say that we ponder changes we can make. Many of these changes will be quit simple, maybe your next step is less social media and more instructional media. May...

The excitement of youth often rests in the potential of the future. It lies in the hopes and dreams that are up ahead somewhere, but we don’t know exactly where, but we know that one day we will look back and find ourselves much further ahead in the game of life.  As the years advance it is a great feeling to look back and count the improvements, the milestones, the victories that have been enjoye...

The emotional life of Jesus is puzzling to many people. They have trouble seeing Him as being able to relate to our daily lives. Many people see Him as living in a sort of a protective bubble. Instead of mere assumptions, lets look into what Scripture reveals.

Jeroboam, of Old Testament Bible fame (book of 1 Kings) felt that God was asking too much. God set a standard. God ask for compliance. Jeroboam thought it would never work. Jeroboam is an example of people today. They look at the Bible teachings and think that God is asking too much. They think it is impossible to live the bible life. They just can't see themselves living it out. The changes s...

Serving others is the secret to the deepest and most satisfying life possible. Jesus gave us the secret in Acts 20:35 when he told us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Jesus showed us the way to the top, when he left heaven, took on the form of a servant, and even served us unto death. And now he has the name that is above every name. We can share in this same mysterious life. It is...

Christians sometimes view modern technology as inherently evil. I think we are called to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, meaning we should use technology is a wise way. Let it help carry our lives and work forward to greater development. We live in a wonderful time. We have abundance today at a level no other generation could even imagine. Yet, if we are not wise this blessing can becom...

Simple bible Christianity packs a wonderful blessing. One of the greatest gifts, a top ten blessings, is the key to unlocking the way. It's what everyone dreams about. Sure people seek it with extremely different methods, some moral and some immoral, but once you get past the surface, we are all seeking the same thing. God understands this. He has given us the recipe, the map, to the success w...

God's seems so mysterious, so far away, and unreachable. Even more mysterious is His plan for your life. What has God called you to do? What does He want to work and achieve through your life? What is God's blueprint and game plan for your life. Most people wish they had been born with a book explaining what they are suppose to do, when they are suppose to do, and the people they should te...

Noah's story is timeless. The underlying problems of his day resonate with the challenges of today. Noah's focus and walk with God demonstrate the keys necessary for success today. Noah's story stirs practical questions and spiritual questions. It is always a good choice for those that desire to get a step closer to God. I pray that this podcast will be a blessing and a little joy in y...

We all would like more enjoyment in life. We would like to feel more and more that we are on top of our game and making progress. Ingratitude for some things at some times is appropriate, but beyond those few times, it is a negative energy that just draws us deeper and deeper into a lifeless blackhole that sucks the life and joy out of us. Why in the world would anyone intentionally enter that dar...

Christmas is a mixed bag of joy and stress. The trick is not to eliminate the stress completely, but to end up with more joy than stress. If you do that, then you are a winner. You were successful, on top of your game. This podcast we look into how to use the well-known bible teachings as a tool for gaining the most joy possible out of your Christmas holiday season.

Why ahs Christianity survived for 2000 years? Why do people still find value in this ancient religion? Even now, when the trend is toward "spiritual but not religious" the Bible is still the central source for many, many seekers. What are they discovering amidst all the confusion and corruption in the wider Christian scene? What "gold" are they finding that keeps them coming ba...

Christians, let's lock arms and fight the good fight. Let's do your generation proud and stand our ground for God's truth, holding forth the light and making a difference in the world around us. We might not spark a global revival, but we can transform our own lives and the lives of our loved ones. We can make a difference and pass the torch forward to the next generation. We can leave...

God's plan was wonderful. God's plan was beautiful, but neither Republicans or Democrats or any other party trust God enough to follow His plan. After all, God's plan would cut into all the benefits enjoyed under the table. However, as much as possible, we still need to nudge government and religion into a working unity, independent, yet working toward the same goals. Each staying in t...

We all hunger for it. We are all thirsty for it, so why do so few people truly enjoy it? Violence in the news, depression in those around us, unrest with life in general all stem from that deep inner hunger and thirst painfully unsatisfied. If you haven't found the living water of the Christ, this is as good of a beginning place as any. Let's follow the bible map to that place that answers...

What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? How can a person be a disciple of Christ without getting caught up in the divisiveness of our modern times? How can a person simply be a Christian? This podcast gives insight on how to simply be Christian. The good news is that this message is packed with bible scriptures so that you can go back to the original source and know that you know that you ar...

How many hours did you spend trying to find the perfect name for each of your children? How many hours did yo spend talking with your children about the perfect name for your family pet? Does the name have value to you? To you notice when someone mispronounces the name? Do you correct them? What is the deal with names and why doe sit matter in Christianity?

Jesus told us that he came that we may have lie and have it more abundant. He also told us that Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. We have two paths before us. Satan offers us a way that looks easy upfront, but leaves a person feeling hollow in the end. Jesus offers a straight and narrow way, and those willing to let go of fleshly desires and surrender to follow the footsteps of Jesus discov...