Years ago in a courtroom, a law enforcement officer took the stand. He gave testimony for the defense in a quite sensitive case. As the officer took the stand, looking professional in his uniform, he showed confidence and character. Surely those in the jury would believe him based on how he looked and carried himself. After a few minutes in cross-examination, the prosecuting attorney revealed serious credibility problems with the officer…

In Youth Ministry, there are many times where middle and high school students have overnight outings. One time we played a game named, “Capture the Flag.” The game was comprised of two teams. The field was a wooded area. Each team hid their flag somewhere safe. Then the competition began as teams started searching for the opposing team’s flag. Mind you, this was during darkness. No lights…

Many times, people go to a book signing opportunity by their favorite author. They will stand in line for hours to get an autographed book. After the book signing, they don’t know the author any better. This is because they couldn’t spend time with them and ask questions…

Many times, we don’t like change. When we we used to do things for long periods of time and something new comes along, we don’t like to make the necessary adjustments. We sometimes even rebel against change…

Have you ever had a job interview? If you have, a good resume is important. This takes time to prepare a good one. It is the most important the employer will look at initially to get to know you along with your qualifications…

I remember years ago I probably tried the same thing each of you have. When I didn’t get my way by asking my father, I would go to my mom. I’d ask her as if I hadn’t already checked with dad. My mom being far wiser than I would say, “God ask your dad.”…

“…for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice…” This is hour is known as the Rapture when Jesus comes to collect His people. He takes those to heaven who are known by Him. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 also describes, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,…

I visit the memorial park where my daughter and father are buried each week. I always try to make sure both areas are well maintained. It’s important to me and in my mind shows respect to their lives. They both left indelible impacts on my life…

You may be familiar with statements like, “If God is a loving God, why would He send people to hell?” Or “The God of the Old Testament is not the same as the New Testament.” The God of the New Testament is loving, the Old Testament God is judging. Statements like this sometimes boils the blood of Christians…

When I think about my father’s legacy, I often wonder if I can ever live up to his. How could I handle life compared to my father’s? My father was an honored military officer of three wars: World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. After all the wars he went through in his military service, he still lived a life of honor…

I remember during high school living in a completed home for most part dad and I built. I still can’t believe I laid most of those 28,000 bricks on the exterior. Yes, 28,000. When I got out of school many times, I looked over at dad’s workshop. It was on the side of the house. Dad would normally be there working on a project. He didn’t know it, but I used to stand and watch him work with his hands…

While serving as a Sheriff’s Office Detective, I worked many cases. Some took countless hours of investigation to bring a case for prosecution for the State Attorney’s Office. During the course of some investigations, I determined a crime occurred, but no intent was found…

In early ministry, through times of confidence with people, I messed up. In my past I shared an exciting thing with folks about something God did in someone’s life. It was meant to be kept in confidence. I meant well, but the fact remained, I let the person down. My motives were not to spread things held in confidence, but to share the good news of what God performed in a life…

I often hear some who tell me when tempted to sin, and then act on it, “The devil made me do it.” This response came from the character, Geraldine, on the Flip Wilson Show. It aired from 1970-1974. The usage of the phrase gained huge popularity and has drastically increased since the 1970’s. When I hear this phrase, I say at times we are our worst enemy. I reply, “Nine times out of ten, I helped the devil do it.”

I worked part-time in an auto body shop in high school. My boss was a perfectionist and OCD. Granted it was his business, but he would sometimes drive me crazy. When I would do something, he would tell me, “that’s not right, do it this way.”

It is worthwhile to observe in chapters 5 through 7 of this Gospel, begin a shift in the attitude toward Jesus. A reservation to Him begins in chapter 3:26 through 4:1-3. Outright rejection will be summed in 7:52. In the following chapters, we will see shifting. This begins when Jesus conducts the healing of a sick man by the pool at Bethesda…

Over several years, my friends and I had participated in the Multiple Sclerosis Bike rides to raise funds for the cure of those battling the terrible disease. We had to raise a certain amount to participate in the ride. This one started at World Gold Village and ended in Daytona Beach, Florida. The ride was approximately 164 miles over two days…

Have you ever been around people who are never in a big hurry? They seem to just walk really casually and slowly sometimes without a seeming care in the world. My wife does this sometimes. I have to say it’s hard for me to walk that slowly…

Years ago in law enforcement, I met with an elementary school counselor concerning a possible child abuse case. The child had a large cut in the palm of his right hand. The child’s wound was wrapped in a dirty washcloth as a makeshift bandage. It had become infected and needed treatment…

Have you ever begged God for a miracle for a loved one? Have you continued begging God to heal someone or change a circumstance? We all have. Do we ask for it by our motive or for God’s? We can say we can leave things in God’s hand, but can we really do it in desperate times? It’s tough…