I remember the play vividly before the hit.

It was an option to the left.  Our quarterback could keep the ball or toss it.  He read his block and quickly passed it to me behind the line of scrimmage.  In my mind I would catch the ball, follow my blocker, and turn up field as quickly as possible for positive yardage.  It was a pretty simple play on paper.  But the only way it works is if everyone follows through with their assignment.  My fellow running back forgot his block and allowed the defensive-back to come through the line without …

Here’s a pretty straight-forward question: are you a pessimist?  Are you a half-empty, things-are-not-so-great kind of person?  Pessimists are pretty easy to detect, just listen to them talk for a few minutes and their speech betrays them.  Oh, they may try to sugar coat things for awhile, but their words are like chocolate-covered pickles: you eventually get down to the vinegary taste.

Winston Churchill said, “The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”  The major difference between a negative and positive person is attitude.  The way you view something ultimately determines how …

In 1550, a number of religious and influential people met in Essex to discuss the position of one’s posture in prayer.  Some contended that prayer should be observed while standing, others said prayer is at its best when kneeling.  They also discussed whether or not a covering should be placed upon one’s head while entering into the prayer closet.

After much discussion and debate, the council agreed by in large that attitude, not position, was the greatest condition of prayer.  Bodily posture, though important in prayer, should never supersede the posture of the mind.  The question therefore stands to …

Life is meant to be experienced in communion and relationship with others.  The power of the early church was experienced in group dynamics.  God Himself calls the church a Body, a Building, a Bride.  Each of these descriptive terms alludes to unity, harmony, and togetherness.  This is not a suggestion…this is what we are.  Therefore, to function properly the church MUST work TOGETHER to fulfill its God-given assignments.  Consider the following:

Acts 1- They assembled together

Acts 2- They believed together

Acts 4- They prayed together

Acts 20- They came together

Romans 1- We are comforted together

Romans 6- We …

I recently read a religious article that encouraged spiritual leaders, and the church at large, to stop using historical, biblical words that are not easily understood by the world.  The writer criticized the use of such words: sanctification, atonement, justification, glory, redemption, and righteousness.  The argument is: such “archaic” and “antiquated” words have little significance to the world, and should therefore, be replaced with easier, friendlier, more consumer-oriented terminology.  C’mon, it’s the 21^st century; give the masses what they want, right?

What is the church to think of such a demand?

The Teachings of Christ are Simple, not