According to his own writings, he was not an active Christian. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and made a slave in Ireland. It was during this time in captivity that he put his faith in Jesus and his Christianity became real!

This world is what you know. It’s what you can see, hear, and touch. So it is very natural to love this world we live in.

In the middle of playing with her toys, my daughter asks, "Daddy, I have to use the bathroom. Can I go?" I responded, "Go ahead Honey. Thank you for asking, but you don't have to ask permission to use the potty." After all had been "accomplished", she forgot a few minor details…

For anyone that knows the story of Les Miserables, it is a fantastic character study of real life. Sure, it's all set against the romantic backdrop of the French Revolution of the early 1800's. But anyone that reads the story, or watches the film will be able to identify with one of the characters.

He was so excited! The day came when he would have the opportunity to go to work with his hero, his dad. To this little boy, his dad had tremendous power as a bridge operator.

One of the greatest mysteries that our Heavenly Father performed was the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ! The Almighty Jehovah humbled Himself, and as John so aptly put it, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

I'm not sure how many remember the story of Saeed Abedini. Pastor Saeed was arrested and imprisoned because he is a Christian. The country of Iran saw fit that he was a threat to their country because of his faith in Jesus.

When asked, "Give me a few things that when you first saw them, you were in awe?" A very common answer that comes up time and time again, the Grand Canyon.

There are multiple times when we experience hardships, discouragement, trouble, or other circumstances that test our faith.

"Central to living a good and happy life is being a good, moral person. That means being nice, kind, pleasant, respectful, responsible, at work on self-improvement, taking care of one's health, and doing one's best to be successful." What individual in their right mind would not seek to achieve this definition of life?

You ever have one of those moments when you look at something completely different than you had the other 5,000 times you've looked at it? I was sitting at my kitchen table eating lunch gazing in to my backyard.

Not too many videos do this to me, but this one did. It wrecked me. God forgive me for being timid, insecure, and withdrawn about sharing the Gospel!

There are so many things in this world that distract us; call them hiccups, speed bumps, obstacles, fences, or walls. They tend to take our focus don't they? Nope. I'm going to change that statement and say that it is we who change our focus.

You've probably heard this phrase in some form or fashion in your life, especially if you are a parent: "I don't want to! And you can't make me!" You may have even said it a time or two yourself.

Quite a few years ago I was given the opportunity to speak to a group of high school students at a local church. I was asked to speak on the topic of prayer. This would be the first time I spent time putting together a bible study on the topic of prayer.

For this week's devotion, I'm going to allow the words of another pastor bring you encouragement. In this day and age, there is way more on our plates than we can handle.

Marianne Williamson wrote a poem entitled, "Our Deepest Fear". It received acclaim when used in the movie Coach Carter. When I first read this poem, I was encouraged. Without intent by Ms. Williamson, it speaks to my heart as a Christian.

Back in 2013, I was given the opportunity to go on a missions trip. I hadn't been on a trip of this nature since 1996, so I knew that I'd be stretched in my thinking, world view, and faith.