Nearly all of us have been approached by a friend, family member or a member of our church for "a loan." Sometimes their need is obvious, worthy and we are able to respond with real joy because generosity to the poor is so highly valued by God. However, there are times when we are asked for help and almost immediately our guard is up. How do we know when it's wise to help someone, or when helping actually hurts and enables the person we are being asked to assist? Let's start

Even atheists know the Golden Rule. "Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:31. Good parents have taught their children to obey the Golden Rule, from the time they could talk. And whenever someone mentions the Golden Rule, we nod in affirmation and say, "That's the only way to live!" And when we were children the application of the Golden Rule was pretty straightforward. Share your toys Let the other person have their turn on the swing Don't hit your sister Th

If you haven't seen this famous video of "psychologist" Bob Newhart yet, you'll want to. Obviously, not all fears and phobias can be erased by an act of the will. My fear of snakes won't just go away instantly if I "just stop it!" But, the reason that video "works" is because we all know many of our bad habits or sins can "stop" – must stop! But here's the crux of the problem: The primary reason believers continue to sin is because we've not decided to stop! Here's why: Most

The invention of the printing press by Gutenberg in 1436 was as revolutionary then as the internet is today. But books were still scarce and expensive and therefore unavailable to the masses. Then, 70 years after its invention, Luther nailed his 95 Theses on a Wittenberg church door and the protestant reformation began. Soon copies of his 95 Theses and other short writings were being printed by the tens of thousands, inexpensively and the ideas in them went viral! People had

A few months ago I blogged about what God may be doing through the sexual scandals in the news almost every day now. We can complain about the Hollywood and Washington sex scandals at the coffee shop and on the job, but how can Christian men or women actually begin making a difference right in our own families? I think it begins with courtesy and respect. Paul reminds us of God's standard. "Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat yo

Decades ago, after the Holy Spirit lit my fire for God and evangelism, I intentionally began hanging out with non-Christians. Once I was on a very large boat owned by a man I'd known from childhood who had a terrible reputation. We were coming through a channel out into Lake Michigan and wouldn't you know it but my mother-in-law and a group of her church friends watched, stunned as l passed them, not 100 feet away, out on the deck, with a drink in hand! Of course the next ti

I was listening to a podcast by my good friend Preston Sprinkle on the topic of civility. He quoted Arthur Brookes, who said, “ Americans don’t have an anger problem. They have a contempt problem.” He went on to explain that a growing number of people in the United States don’t just disagree with others including members of their own family on political, or social issues, and then change subjects and finish an enjoyable dinner together. Too many people they disagree with hav

I get asked this question a lot: How do you start conversations with non-Christians that will hopefully lead to spiritual things? Carefully and thoughtfully is my short answer. Christians have a bad reputation of dumping the whole truckload on total strangers or new friends in "Christianese," language that we understand but means something completely different to others. Therefore, the first thing I need to say is – go slow. Get to know them first. Be transparent. Share your

When I think of Christian denominations I think of them as religious franchises. It's the nature of franchises to allow investors (Franchisees) to open a business that offers the same products, foods, or services as every other franchisee. Think McDonald's, or Pizza Hut. No matter where you go when you enter into one of their restaurants you can get the same food as every other restaurant in the world that uses that name. Quality control, a uniform look and a common experienc