Roger

Have you ever been around children who were out of control?  And did you notice they acted even worse when the parents were around?  Believe it or not, children not only need boundaries, but they actually respect them.  David said it well in Psalm 51:5,  "In sin did my mother conceive me..."   Those cute little bundles of joy soon grow into older children who need to be trained and guided.  We see the sin nature begin to manifest early on!  Children must be taught to understand and obey righteous and reasonable boundaries from a very young age.  If parents don't establish proper boundaries, the children will establish their own, and the end results will produce out-of-control children. Forget about those humanistic teachers who say that boundaries destroy the child's potential and creative flow.  If you let your child talk back to you and disrespect you at three years of age, you may very well be visiting him or her in jail at 23!...

Santa Claus was always part of our Christmas celebrations during my boyhood.  As a matter of fact, the Ole' Boy was quite good to me then, and continues to delight my holidays!  I choose not to engage in the Santa Claus debate.  Frankly, I think it's a moot point.  Believe me, there are far more important matters to preach about.  I'm just real sure God is not sitting on His universal throne, wringing His hands over whether or not you and I embrace Santa Claus! Sadly, some pastors place their personal convictions on their congregations and preach them as doctrine.  Jesus warned us about such matters.  Obviously, the Bible does not address the matter of Santa Claus, so that automatically places his involvement in your life in the "non-essential, it-doesn't-matter" category.  If Santa Claus is an unnecessary fabrication in your mind, then don't place his picture on your front door.  If your Christmas would not be the same ...

“Put your money where your mouth is.”  Have you heard this spoken?  I’ve said it many times, not fully realizing its truth. What do you value most?   Go to your checkbook ledger and find out!   Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).    We spend our money on those things that are important to us.   As we conclude another year, perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate our priorities.   Money is a tool that helps us to attain what we both need and want.   I get it.   Someone said, “Money is not important.”   However, when you don’t have enough and you can’t pay your bills, buy groceries or fill your tank, you may wish to re-think such an opinion! Certainly, money IS important!   And it’s also a gauge.   I have counseled teenagers and young adults, who possessed the latest in cell phones, 52-inch TV screens with over 300 accompanying cable channels; numerous video games, laptop ...

“In the beginning God…” This opening line of the Bible continues to intrigue me.  Have you ever noticed that God never attempts to explain or defend His existence in the Scriptures?  I remember asking my mom when I was a kid, “Where did God come from?  Who made God?” Perhaps like you, natural curiosity drove me to wonder. As humans, we understand beginnings from endings.   I was born on March 9, 1956 (beginning) and someday I will die (ending), as far as this life is concerned. Ours is a walk of faith.   We believe in those things “not seen.”   Humans are driven to believe in something or Someone bigger and more powerful.   Innately, we “believe in” and seek after those things beyond us.   The Atheist says, “There is no God.”   The Agnostic says, “I’m not sure.   The jury is still out.”   The Humanist says, “I am a god!”   The Christian says, “In the beginning God…” On and on the philosophers of this world wax eloqu...