Ecclesiastes 12:10

   Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. made the observation “ that kings, generals, and presidents tend to make their biggest mistakes immediately following their greatest victories ”.   I think he’s right but it isn’t just limited to kings and generals. Think of all the Biblical examples. Noah right after he gets off the Ark gets himself embarrassing fall down drunk. David finally secures his kingdom and puts it into jeopardy with his sin with Bathsheba. Elijah defeats the prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel then finds himself despondent in a cave ready to give up. Peter confesses Jesus as Christ, then proceeded to tell Jesus he can’t go to the cross.  Over and over, we think the moment at the top is secure until we take that first step down and tumble. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 1 st Corinthians 10:12   Maybe it’s simply because we start to lose focus when everything is going our way....

  I was recently watching a show that gave the chilling scene. It was dashcam footage of a police officer making a seemingly routine traffic stop.   The officer, after asking to man to step outside the vehicle and go to the safer side of the highway, begins to ask some routine questions. The man’s response is odd given the situation so the officer asks if he can search him. He agrees but right as the officer looks down, the man draws a firearm and unload several rounds point-blank in the officer chest.    Because of the position of the camera, you gracefully don’t see the aftermath, yet you hear the cries of the officer for help. It was an unnerving series of events.   However, the officer did have a great advantage. He had backup. As soon as he goes down other a dispatcher on his radio hears his cry. Other officers in the area are alerted. Quickly one arrives and starts immediate aid. More arrive and secure the area. Others search for the suspect. The ...

  In a recent radio segment, I heard Hall of Fame quarterback and current Fox broadcast Troy Aikman make an interesting observation. He said very early on in his career, he was told by his offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese that just because a play works or doesn’t work does not mean the play was bad or a bad call. The play can be a good play and called at a good time but if it is not executed well it will matter very little.   Often we, like lots of football fans, think the result always matches the quality of the idea it comes from. That just isn’t the case. Some good ideas fail because no one ran with it. Some good works never get anywhere because the way it was put into place wasn’t adequate. On the flip side, somethings succeed not because it was good but luck and chance gave it life when it should have withered away.   When it comes to success in our spiritual lives, we can’t just hope the outcome is good. We need to follow techniques that are good. Bi...

For the last few months, it was Pokémon Go. Before that is was Flappy Birds. Before that, it was Angry Birds or Temple Run. That app that everyone is playing, at least for the moment.  Now everyone is on Instagram before that is was Facebook.  Before that it was Myspace.  Before that it was Xanga. The “it” social media site everyone was using.   O.K. maybe these references are too new for you, then think back to your pet rock, yo-yo, the Stretch Armstrong, Cabbage Patch Doll, or your pogo ball.  All those fads that were so hot that everyone just had to have them. But then just as fast as they faded in they faded right back out.   Unfortunately, the fad for many people isn’t a toy or a game but their faith. " In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy;  and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, ...

   Who is the person that is least likely to fall away from the Lord?  A preacher?  An elder?  A Bible class teacher?      Well, we all know far too many examples of just those sorts of people that have been pulled into sin and away from their God.  It can happen to anyone.  Even those that would seem least likely need to watch out, because someone that teaches others can themselves be found wanting. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;   but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified . 1st Corinthians 9:25-27    The Apostle Paul understood even he could be disqualified.  He had warned his fellow Apostle Peter when ...