Category Archives: Discipleship

April 18, 2013 · 8:55 am

9 Ways To Be A Better Christian

betterIt must be Spring-time, since baseball has begun. Although it still seems like winter-time here in Kansas City!  But tell that to the Royals.  They beat the Braves last night in Atlanta 1-0 and are off to a respectable 8-6 start.  Good enough for second place in the American League Central Division.

One of my all time favorite baseball stories involves famed St. Louis Cardinal pitcher, Dizzy Dean, a member of the so-called “gas-house gang.” In 1934 Dizzy had a 30-7 record. He led the league in strike-outs. Led the league in shutouts. And won two games in the World Series, including the deciding seventh game to beat the Detroit Tigers. He was named MVP in 1934. Continue reading →

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March 13, 2013 · 9:54 am

7 Lessons Learned From Saul’s Flaws

The BibleWe’ve been watching the History Channel’s presentation of The Bible from Executive Producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett.  The reaction has been interesting.

Movie critics called it “fractious and overwrought,” “a further piece of evidence that drama and reverence don’t mix well,” and “a mini-series full of emoting that does not register emotionally.”

Predictability the Christian Post and similar news outlets have hailed The Bible as “awesome,” inspiring, and “spot on.” Continue reading →

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February 4, 2013 · 6:38 am

How To be a Spiritual Champion

SuperBowlIf you are a sports fan, what a great week-end!  Some exciting basketball games.  Especially Indiana’s win over #1 Michigan!  And then a Super Bowl that looked like it was going to be a super bust, that saw a comeback by the San Francisco 49ers that just fell short, as the Baltimore Ravens hung on to win.

I’m always reminded when watching sporting events how the qualities that make for success on the athletic field are similar to those we need to acquire in our Christian lives. In fact, the apostle Paul wrote it about using the imagery of the sports world. Continue reading →

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January 28, 2013 · 7:29 am

Are You a Christian?

        CHristian Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian.

          I can remember as a boy hearing preachers say “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian, anymore than sitting inside a henhouse makes you a chicken!”  Yes, I know that dates me!  But it’s a vivid analogy. Continue reading →

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December 6, 2012 · 6:45 am

Lessons from a Day of Infamy

Pearl-HarborTomorrow it will be 71 years since early Sunday morning,  Japan attacked our naval and air base at Pearl Harbor. It was a surprise and unprovoked attack that propelled the USA into World War II.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it “a date that will live in infamy.” On this anniversary of Pearl Harbor, several thoughts with spiritual applications come to mind. Continue reading →

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November 29, 2012 · 6:28 am

Teamwork: The Key To Success

We are now moving forward into my favorite time of year.  No, not winter!  Not Christmas!  Basketball season!  I like other sports.  And watch other sports.  But basketball is the best.  I won’t even argue the point here.  You know it is!  Continue reading →

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September 13, 2012 · 5:59 am

Are You Living in the “Almost”?

In a particular  PEANUTS cartoon, the team “statistician” brings Charlie Brown, the manager, his report.

“I’ve compiled the statistics on our baseball team for last season,” Linus says. “In 12 games we ALMOST scored a run and in 9 games the other team ALMOST didn’t score before the first out. In right field, Lucy ALMOST caught 3 balls and once ALMOST made the right play.”

“We led the league,” he concludes, “in ‘ALMOSTS,’ Charlie Brown.” Continue reading →

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September 4, 2012 · 6:13 am

Fight One More Round

It happened 120 years ago. On September 7, 1892, James J. Corbett won the first heavyweight championship prize-fight in which the contestants used boxing gloves. Corbett won the match against John L. Sullivan with a knockout in the twenty-first round.  That’s right the 21st round!  However three-year earlier Corbett had to go 27 rounds, boxing with bare knuckles, to defeat fellow hall-of-famer Joe Choynski.

James J. Corbett also had a way with words.  Knowing his background, we can appreciate them even better when he said: Continue reading →

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August 16, 2012 · 7:10 am

Be All That You Can Be

John Mason wrote a fine little book entitled “Conquering an Enemy Called Average.”  Each chapter is only two pages, but it is filled with wonderful nuggets of wisdom.  In chapter 42 he simply lists some things we should be.  In looking at these again I noticed how each one involves a Biblical command or principle. So, I’ve added some verses to these for your consideration and encouragement. Continue reading →

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August 8, 2012 · 6:44 am

Are You Going For The Gold?

Do you know what these people have in common?  Nick Skelton?  Taylor Ritzel?  Kayla Harrison?  Vincent Hancock?  Kristin Armstrong?  Continue reading →

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