Heartbeat

Harvard researchers conducted a study that showed how giving is such a powerful immune booster that it can be experienced just by watching someone else in the act of giving. In this well-known experiment, students who watched a film of Mother Teresa as she tended the sick in Calcutta got an increase in immune function. In the book Healthy Pleasures, psychologists described what they called the “he...

Aromatherapy uses the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, and stems to enhance our psychological and physical well-being. The inhaled aroma from these essential oils is soothing, and is widely believed to stimulate brain function. The Bible says that believers are the aroma of Christ to the people we encounter.  As we produce the fruit of His Spirit, God uses us to enhance the spiritual wel...

I can’t see the wind, but I’m keenly aware that it’s all around me.  I feel a gentle breeze brush against my face or rustle through my hair.  Or I see its massive strength through powerful gusts that become hurricanes or tornadoes. Likewise, I can’t see God the Holy Spirit; but I know that He’s with me.  I can feel His presence all around me. The word for “spirit” in both Hebrew and Greek means “b...

It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Think about some of the more stunning photos that you’ve seen lately. What have those pictures communicated to you? The photographer searches for the perfect shot just so she can speak through her lens. Did you know that God created the earth and all its beauty to try to communicate to us? I’m sure you’ll agree that while a picture of the Gr...

Have you ever said or done something that you regret?  Maybe in the heat of the moment, you’ve lashed out at a co-worker because of something relatively insignificant.  The feelings of guilt that are generated by regret don’t feel good. We long for ways to take back what was said or done. Author Tony Campolo once said that “the past has a way of draining energy from the present.”  What’s been done...

Our sun is just one among more than a billion stars in our galaxy.  One of these stars alone, the Pistol Star, could contain a million stars the size of our sun within its sphere.  And our Milky Way is not even a huge galaxy!  Our neighbor, the Andromeda Spiral, contains about 400 billion stars.  Scientists estimate that there are billions of galaxies, each containing even more stars. Scripture te...

There’s a beautiful image from the Celtic tradition called Thin Places.  A “thin place” is a place where the boundary between heaven and earth is especially thin.  It’s a place where it’s possible to touch and be touched by God; a place where He seems more readily present. This begs the question: Do you have enough Thin Places in your life?  If not, you’re not alone.  Artist Georgia O’Keefe once s...

A sliced carrot looks exactly like the human eye; particularly the pupil, iris, and radiating lines. And science shows that carrots greatly enhance both the blood flow to the eyes and their function. A tomato has four chambers and is red, just like the heart.  Plus, tomatoes are loaded with lycopine, which strengthens the heart. Is this mere coincidence? I don’t think so!  You see, God as our Crea...

The human body is amazing!  It contains sixty trillion cells that have all been carefully organized to perform life’s various functions harmoniously.  The nose can recognize up to 10,000 different aromas.  The tongue has about 6,000 taste buds.  The body has so many blood vessels that their combined length could circle the planet two-and-a-half times. Did you realize that you are such a masterpiec...

Pilots say that when flying, for every degree you fly off course you’ll miss your target landing spot by 92 feet for every mile flown. That amounts to being about one mile off target for every 60 feet you fly. The longer you travel off course, the further you’ll be from the intended target. Being only one degree off can make a critical difference in where you will land! But just as it’s hard to re...

In most sports, there’s some sort of play-off or tournament to determine the overall champion. Even if you’re not a sports fan, it’s hard to ignore the hard work and dedication that it takes to become the champions. Winning in life takes a lot of hard work and dedication as well.  An encouragement found in the Bible tells us to “forget what is behind and press on toward the goal that’s ahead”. Whe...

This past Sunday I saw a little girl raising her hands while we were singing in church.  While she was raising her hands, she was looking around to make sure that everyone else was still raising theirs.  She was imitating her grandparents- and looking for reassurance that she was doing it right. I wonder how many times you and I were so concerned with what everyone else was doing that we missed ou...

Researchers asked a group of people to make a list, once a week for ten weeks, of five things they were thankful for. Other groups in the study wrote different kinds of weekly lists, such as five key events. The “thankful” group felt more happiness, excitement, and joy than the other groups. They even reported better physical health – fewer headaches and coughs.  Paul tells the Colossians in chapt...

Still sleepy, you roll over to check the time. You look at your phone only to realize you never set the alarm! And now it’s 5 minutes before you’re supposed to be at work! Do you know that feeling of defeat as you hurry to make yourself presentable for your already delayed day? In much the same way, people everywhere are missing their “spiritual alarms.”  God is at work all around them, yet they r...

Counterfeiting is a serious problem in our country. It‘s been estimated that American businesses lose more than 250 billion dollars annually because of it. In 2021 the U.S. Customs and Border Protection made more than 13,000 seizures of counterfeit goods. And believe it or not, footwear comprised 40% of those fake items. Thousands of people are walking around in counterfeit shoes! The Bible says t...

In ancient Jerusalem, a Rabbi’s teachings were called his “yoke.”  His people sat under his teaching while quote- “clothing” themselves in his words. In the Bible, in Matthew 11:29 Jesus tells His disciples, “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls...

We have 100,000 to 150,000 hairs on our heads, and we spend a great deal of time and money on them.  In fact, in the United States, we spend about $7.5 billion dollars a year on our hair.  We frequent salons for cuts, styles, perms, highlights, and color. We buy blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons. We routinely use shampoos and conditioners, moisturizers and pomades, sprays and gels.  We ob...

If you’re even remotely handy, I’m sure you have a tool drawer if not a proper toolbox in your house. If you’re hanging a picture, you know where to find a hammer. If the hinges to a door are loose, you know where to find a screwdriver. You know right where to look to find the perfect tool for the job. Our relationship with scripture should be like this too. Maybe you’re struggling with a relation...

You’re driving to work on your usual route when you see the dreaded sign- “Road Closed ahead”. There’s a detour.  This seems like a plot to ruin your plans.  It’s only after you pass the roadblock that you understand the reason for the detour. In the Bible God tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.”  How many detours have you taken in life? While...

Have you heard the expression: "The calm after the storm?” We may think of the anxiety-filled calm as we wait and watch as another hurricane looms close to shore. But what about the calm in its wake? After the storm, the survivors have to make a great effort to rebuild and recover the valuable things they lost during the storm. And do it while grieving for the family and friends they’ve lost. And...

In the culinary world, there is no greater honor than to receive a Michelin star. This system awards chefs and restaurants with 1 to 3 stars. But even earning one is an incredible achievement. From the food and presentation, to the arrangement of silverware on the table and the knowledge of the wait staff- everything is taken into consideration. However, while there are Michelin star chefs, there...

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to host a breakout session at a Salvation Army Youth camp about evangelism. After the session a young guy stayed back and poured out his heart to me. He had recently given His life to Christ, but his family didn’t believe like him. He had been arguing with his sisters about how to quote “properly be baptized” and whether or not a Christian should celebrate Ch...

What scares you the most? Common answers may be spiders, snakes, or heights. But according to a recent study by Chapman University what people are often afraid of the most is related to other people. Corrupt government officials, home invasions, or fears that we’ll lose a loved one. If any of these fears keep you up at night- you’re not alone, but here’s some good news. The God of the heavens and...

If you follow sports, who is your favorite team? I think especially in soccer and American football you’ll meet some of the most loyal fans in all of sports. You see their dedication in their conversations, clothes, bumper stickers- you name it. There is no doubt what team they’re rooting for. Could someone say the same about your love and dedication to your Savior? I’m not saying we all need a “h...

A terrifying night, with burning torches, crossing swords and, of course, a friend's traitorous kiss. The most dramatic scene in the Bible is in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas is synonymous with betrayal. You can disagree with me; But I don’t believe that Judas was created for this purpose. It wasn’t his destiny to willingly betray the Son of God. God loved Judas, the same way he loves you and me...