Dr. Marc Siegel on the Presidents Bush: There is only one now, but the legacy of the father lives on

December 3, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Back in 2012, when I first told people I was going to Texas to ride mountain bikes with the wounded war fighters and President Bush, I frequently encountered the reply “Which President Bush?” This was when the elder Bush was already close to 90, which gives you an idea how robust and vital he was, even with Parkinson’s Disease already significantly impairing him. The former president inspired us all in later years with his will to live and never giving up.

Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.

Filed Under: Columns

Your Daily Prayer: A Prayer for Strength and Encouragement

November 29, 2018 By Leave a Comment

A Prayer for Strength and Encouragement – Your Daily Prayer

Your Daily Prayer Devotional Banner

A Prayer for Strength and Encouragement
By Baptist Bible Hour

The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. – Proverbs 18:10

David and his men arrived home to discover the army of Amalek had burned the city and had taken their wives and children captive. They wept until they could weep no more. The loss was overwhelming.

In their grief and frustration the men blamed David and spoke of stoning him… but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Under God’s direction, David then led a victorious march against the Amalekites and recovered their wives and children without a single loss; but we want to give attention to David’s method of encouragement.

You may have waited for someone to come and encourage you in your night of trouble, but no one has come. So you may ask, “How can I encourage myself?” First, consider that God is still on the throne and He is your God.

There was no friend at hand to encourage David; his own men had turned against him. But when it appeared everything was lost, he turned to God for his help. He saw God as his God. He did not consider God to be at such a distance that He would not come to his rescue.

Second, remember that daybreak may be just ahead. David and his men experienced the anguish of believing their families probably had been killed, but they were all recovered safely. The old adage goes, “The darkest time of the night is just before dawn,” and dawn may soon be breaking for you.

Further, you can encourage yourself by remembering that our trials are for a good purpose. The trials themselves are burdensome and distasteful but the end is good as God teaches you more of your weakness and more of His strength.

If you find yourself in need of strength and encouragement, here is a prayer you can pray:

Lord, like David, I need your encouragement in a time of trial and anguish. Thank you that you are always on the throne, always my God, ready to save. Thank you for being the same God to me that you were to David. Thank you for always being near and always rescuing me from my fears and hurts. Lord, help me remember that daybreak might be just ahead, that this trial will not last forever. Fill me with hope that daybreak is coming and that your love will always prevail!

In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Filed Under: Columns

Pastor Rick Warren: Got a Dream? Now Make a Decision.

November 29, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Rick Warren

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“If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:7-8 GNT).

When God gives you a dream for your life, your eyes suddenly open up to see what he wants to do in and through you. You begin to understand that you’re not just here on Earth by accident. You begin to see his plan, his purpose.But a dream is worthless unless you wake up and go to work on it. You have to take the next step of faith: decision-making.We tend to love decisive leaders who can make quick decisions. But quickness is not the most important thing. It’s easier to make a fast decision than a good decision. It takes nothing at all to make a quick decision. It takes a lot of wisdom to make a right decision.

The Bible has a lot to say about decision-making. James 1:7-8, for example, says, “If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord” (GNT). The Bible says double mindedness is disastrous and indecision keeps you from God’s best. Someone whose decision-making is marked by those traits will struggle to make wise choices.

If you can’t make up your mind about what’s really important in life, then you are courting disaster. You will miss God’s best for your life, and you will never grow in character.

Our decisions determine our destiny. Our choices determine whether our character is developed or destroyed.

You will never face God’s true dream for your life until you conquer this stage of decision-making.

Talk It Over

  • What dream has God revealed for your life?
  • What decision have you have been hesitant to make, even though do you know it will move you forward in your God-given dream?
  • How are your current choices either developing or undermining your character?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.

Filed Under: Columns

Op-Ed: Death wish crosses line of acceptable political hyperbole

November 29, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Political discourse in the era of Donald Trump has plunged to new lows.

Here’s a link to the editorial at Illinois News Network.

Filed Under: Columns

Doug Schoen: Congress, border security AND immigration reform are critical. We can’t wait any longer

November 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment

It was deeply troubling to see video of U.S. Border Patrol agents firing tear gas Sunday into a crowd of migrants – including women and children – across the border in Mexico in order to prevent them from breaking through the border fence south of San Diego.

Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.

Filed Under: Columns

Pastor Rick Warren: Are You Passing on God’s Blessings?

November 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment

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“God blesses those who are kind to the poor. He helps them out of their troubles. He protects them and keeps them alive; he publicly honors them and destroys the power of their enemies” (Psalm 41:1-2 TLB).

Some people are like reservoirs. They collect God’s blessings but then hoard them.Other people are like a straw. They say, “God, help other people through me.”

A critical spiritual lesson is that God gives you far more blessings when you’re a straw than when you’re a reservoir.

If you want God to bless you, bless others—particularly the most vulnerable in our society.

The Bible says, “God blesses those who are kind to the poor. He helps them out of their troubles. He protects them and keeps them alive; he publicly honors them and destroys the power of their enemies” (Psalm 41:1-2 TLB).

God makes many amazing promises to those who give to the poor, but here’s one of my favorites. The Bible says in Proverbs 19:17, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!” (NLT).

God considers it a loan to him every time you give to the poor. It’s not a gift; it’s a loan.

And God promises that he will always pay you back.

Talk It Over

  • When you consider the descriptions in today’s devotional, would you say you’re more of a straw or a reservoir? Why?
  • How do you think God wants you to care for the most vulnerable?
  • How can you be more generous with your time, talents, and treasures in ways that help the poor in other nations?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.

Filed Under: Columns

Newt Gingrich: The border struggle is real. And it’s a war

November 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The struggle along America’s southern border is a war.

Here’s a link to the story at Fox News.

Filed Under: Columns

A Prayer for the Long Walk of Faith – Your Daily Prayer

November 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Your Daily Prayer Devotional Banner

A Prayer for the Long Walk of Faith
By Karen Ehman

“Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” Genesis 5:24 (NIV)

Is there a person in the Bible whose story you simply love? One who encourages you, challenges you or with whom you share a similar life circumstance?

Perhaps it’s Moses and his keen leadership skills? Or, Esther — the compelling queen, both beautiful and brainy — who used her quick thinking to help save an entire nation? Maybe Joseph is your favorite, as you contemplate how someone so mistreated could continually take the high road which led him not only to political power but also to family forgiveness?

All of these are fabulous choices, but I choose Enoch.

I first heard of Enoch as a teen, and he fascinated me. Not a lot is written about him in the pages of Scripture, but what is there piqued my interest: “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:24). Hmmm. My young mind pondered that strange description.

As I grew in my faith, I learned more about this Old Testament mystery man. In Hebrews 11:5-6 we catch more of the story. “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: ‘He could not be found, because God had taken him away.’ For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (NIV).

That’s it! Enoch was whisked away, spared the pain of death and transported immediately to God’s side, all because of one simple thing: He pleased God.

I say simple, but I don’t say easy.

It is a simple thing to please God. You just do what He says in His Word. Straightforward enough, right?

However, my years as a follower of Christ have taught me that simple is not always easy. Choices present themselves, the world screams, our flesh gets in the way and we want revenge or glory … so we often lack faith, and instead try to control our own destinies. We mess up the pleasing God part with our very own hands and hearts.

Enoch walked with God.

Oh, don’t we long for that to be said of us? I’ll admit I don’t always walk with God. I take a stand for God — believe the right things and make it known. I may walk after God. And sadly, sometimes I run ahead of God, make my own plans and then say, “Oh yeah. By the way God, do ya mind blessin’ these plans? I made them in Your name. I may have forgotten to consult You in the midst of them, but they are for You, alright?” What a shame and a sham!

Walking with God means we daily give up our desire to navigate our own lives, and we place our faith in Him. We admit He knows what’s best for us and realize He might not always reveal the hows and whys until the very last second. God is seldom early, but never late. Only day-by-day faith-walking pleases God.

Do you long to be one who pleases God this way? One who makes Him smile as He sees you place complete trust in Him and His infinite wisdom daily? Maybe then we just might be like my Bible hero Enoch … the one who walked so closely by our Creator’s side that one day, during one of those long walks, God looked at him and said, “You know, we’ve been walking together for so long now that we are actually closer to My house than yours. Why don’t you just come on home with Me right now?”

Glory! Well, at least that’s how I picture it.

Dear Lord, show me how to walk step by step with You in faith — not ahead of You or behind You, but right by Your side. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Filed Under: Columns

Editorial: Making your own good news

November 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Ever feel the world offers nothing but bad news? Please let us show you the other side of the coin

Here’s a link to the editorial at the Chicago Tribune.

Filed Under: Columns

Trump is right about biased judges; Schumer acknowledges ‘highly political’ rulings

November 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Like a basketball player who mistakenly shoots into his own basket and scores points for the opposing team, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has inadvertently backed President Trump’s accurate contention that there are liberal judges appointed by Democrats and conservative judges appointed by Republicans who rule differently on cases.

Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.

Filed Under: Columns
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