Heartbeat

Baseball legend Yogi Berra was once struggling in a tied game, bottom of the ninth, two outs.  The opposing batter stepped into the box and used his bat to draw a cross in the dirt. Berra quickly wiped the religious symbol off the plate. A Catholic as well, he said to the batter, “Why don’t we let God just watch this game?” Can you resonate with Berra? It’s so common to see people trivialize relig...

The Canadian based, multimillion-dollar, Cirque du Soleil is known for its innovation, strategic risk-taking, and pushing the envelope. When looking for new talent, Cirque du Soleil scouts often ask candidates to do something totally unexpected at an audition, such as climb a rope and sing a song at the top. If the candidate shows any hesitation, they’re generally out the door. In the Bible, we se...

Have you ever dreamt of receiving an unexpected large inheritance? Maybe some distant uncle you’ve never met somehow leaves you a huge sum of money and a mansion? You’re suddenly wealthy by no effort of your own! As believers in Christ, we’ve received an inheritance. An undeserved, un-worked for inheritance that doesn’t come with unpaid property taxes. The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians chapter 1...

I hate making mistakes. Yet, did you know so many inventions we use today were created by accident? Stirring a pot of chemicals in 1826, John Walker pulled his wooden stir stick out of the pot and tried to wipe the glob of chemicals stuck on the table. Instead of wiping off, the chemicals ignited. As a result, matches were born! And simply by using the wrong resistor in a device led medical resear...

Middle school is an incredibly difficult time in life. As a teenager, you’re trying to figure out who you are and where you belong. We may even try on different personalities to see what sticks. Someone who loves to read and play music may begin acting like jock to fit in with the basketball team. Or a kind-spirited girl may start acting mean to fit in with the popular girls. But, to everyone arou...

We often take trees for granted. Maybe we don’t think twice when we see half a forest removed to make way for more homes. But trees serve an important role in the function of our world. As they take in the carbon dioxide that we humans exhale, trees in turn produce oxygen for us to breathe. It’s the perfect symbiotic relationship. Sometimes we’re tempted to think that we can function apart from Go...

Many Christians, when speaking to unbelievers, may get a little off track as they share specific theologies, doctrines, denominational differences. But the simplest place to start is this- Do you believe in God? Even as believers, most of us have had periods in life where we question. Whether it’s in the wake of a tragedy or doubts in certain interpretations of scripture. If this is you or you wan...

I think most of us would think of rain as a negative thing. Maybe you planned a camping trip- and as soon as you begin to setup camp it starts pouring. Rain was the last thing you wanted on this trip. But if you’re a farmer and your crops are failing- rain could be the difference between a successful year and financial failure. The Bible says that God pours out His blessings like a gentle rain. Wh...

Mountain climbers have a concept called the “false summit”. During a climb they’ll often get to what they think is the peak, only to realize they’re at the bottom of an even larger mountain. This is a great spiritual lesson too. I can think of the times in my life where I wasn’t listening to God. I was trying to go my own way. This is usually the way seems easier, until you realize you’ve only rea...

Volunteering has a meaningful, positive impact on your community. But did you know that volunteering also benefits you personally? Beyond the intangible benefits such as pride and accomplishment, there is also a strong relationship between volunteering and health. Studies have shown that those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later...

When a disaster strikes- it impacts everyone. When a hurricane makes landfall- it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from- everyone is suddenly in the same boat. It’s often during these tragedies that we see neighbors lean on each other in a way they never have prior. But what if we learned to live life as a community without the impending destruction of a storm? Dependence tends to have...

In the old fable, the rabbit wins the race against the fox. Following the race an owl asked the fox “Why didn’t you catch that rabbit?” “Well,” panted the fox, “I was running for fun, but that rabbit was running for his life!” Why are you running the “race of life?”  Maybe you just want a good time.  Maybe your goal is prosperity or fame.  Maybe you run without knowing why. If you’re looking for s...

One question I hear often is, “If God really loves me, then why am I going through such a hard time?” Well, God never promised us that life would be without difficulty. He’s given each of us a free will. And like a rock, when thrown into the water makes ripples over the entire pond, frivolous choices made by us or others can cause problems. But be encouraged because the Bible tells us that God “…c...

Recently, I’ve gained a new hobby in gardening. We built a raised bed and planted kale, peppers, tomatoes, and peas from seeds. Through daily watering, cleaning of debris, and a ton of patience- last night we made a salad from vegetables we grew in our own backyard! That was so rewarding- and delicious. I’ve often found that in my walk with God, patience is key. It takes time to see what He’s grow...

I have a friend who is an incredibly talented artist. He works in wood and metal- making beautiful pieces like tables, chandeliers, and kinetic sculptures. The thing that sets him apart though, is that he only works with material that was destined to be trash. Broken wood slabs, rusted bike parts, you name it. Digging through piles of dilapidated materials, he sees the beauty in the broken. I am s...

We live in a culture obsessed with beauty. Not long ago, an 8-year-old girl and her mother appeared on Good Morning America to explain why the girl was receiving Botox injections. The child, who was a participant in child beauty pageants, believed she had wrinkles on her face, and she wanted them gone. The Bible says that “man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  God...

Many drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs require their patients to invite a member of the family to the facility to listen to them confess their weaknesses. A nurse told the story of a man who invited his father to one of these meetings. The father, after hearing his son’s confession, stood up and said to the group, “I have never loved my son more than I do right now.”  The son received the s...

Is there a story behind your name? Often, the names we were given are family names. Carrying the memory of a loved one in the next generation. But no matter where your name came from, names are important. The actor and poet Jude Idada said, “Names are powerful and are prophecies of the future. The name you are called is a sign of what you are and what you would become.” Throughout the Bible names...

What do you love? What’s something that you’d pay anything to experience? A concert? A car? A sporting event? And have you ever been in a place where the enthusiasm is just so contagious that you can’t help but join in? Whether you realize it or not, this is worship. Whatever it is that you pour yourself into and place the highest possible amount of value on is the object that you worship. You wer...

Has something good happened to you recently? Have you taken the time to tell someone about it? Or. Are you experiencing some difficulties in your life? Have you been brave enough to share them with a close friend? No matter what you’re going through- the good and the bad, it’s important to have people in our lives we can share with. We humans were designed to be in community with each other. We we...

In Psalm 139 verse 14 the psalmist writes, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” In today’s culture, we’re lead to believe that the way we look dictates our worth.  If we’re not thin enough or muscular enough, or if we don’t look like the person on the cover of a magazine, then we’re not worth much. The truth is we’re created b...

Some people look at faith as a set of religious exercises: attend church, do good deeds, pray, and read the Bible. But that’s not at all God wants for us. He wants a relationship. He’s set on redeeming a fallen world. He gave his life to make that possible, and He’s promised to stay with us forever. When Jesus returned to heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit to be our helper, comforter, and...

Having a bad day? How about a bad week or a bad month? Whether it’s an uncomfortable paper cut or a car accident, we can always find hope in the middle of our struggles. In the Bible, the Book of Hebrews tells us that if we believe God then we know we have the things we hope for. So take heart. We have a rescuer in God. He cares about all of our concerns, and He understands our trials. So find pea...

In a court of law, the defendant stands before the judge and jury while evidence is brought forward meant to either convict or acquit. Lawyers prepare their cases and make their presentations with the hope that jury will rule in favor of their client. I’m so glad that in life, I have the opportunity to see everything I’ve done wrong acquitted. The Bible tells us that Jesus stood in our place so th...

We’re encouraged to dream as children. Often, we’re asked questions like what we’ll be when we grow up, or who we’ll marry.  However, somewhere in the middle of life, we find it hard to dream because life gets in the way. But God is asking you to resume dreaming, not for wealth or possessions but for the richness of life only He can provide.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for y...