Kevin grew up in a violent alcoholic home. The arguments were many, often erupting to the point where his mom would load up the kids in the car and drive around until his dad fell asleep. Other times his mom would have to call the police and he would watch his dad be subdued by the officers, handcuffed and put in the patrol car. His mom’s resolve in marriage was impressive but the family life was not healthy. He assumed all families struggled like this.

One summer, Kevin’s uncle ...read on

Jeff’s work required extensive travel during the week. On weekends he entertained clients on the golf course, often spending time beyond the golf for drinks and a meal afterward. Jeff was well respected in his profession, a good manager with a knack for connecting with customers and building solid business relationships.

On the personal side, Jeff did the “church thing” when he did not have an early Sunday tee time. He provided well for his family and his marriage was okay. He thought tension in the marriage would ease once he was able to establish a level of financial security. One Sunday at church, ...read on

His teenage son walked in the room and said, “Dad, can we talk? I have been struggling with pornography for over two years and I need your help to quit this.” Ken’s first reaction was anger but he kept it in check. The second emotion experienced was embarrassment because he struggled with pornography as well. His inclination was to hide his embarrassment with anger toward his son. That would give him cover and shut down the conversation he did not want to have. But Ken was convicted to do better than that.

Ken sat down and talked with his son about how beautiful women are ...read on

In the hit movie, “War Room”, Tony was the man! He was physically fit. He was his company’s top salesman, landing deals others could not and landing the associated pay with bonuses. He had a large home, a beautiful wife and a precious little girl. Life was good.

Life also involved long hours with the job, extensive travel and pressure for continued results. The intense pursuit of success created tension in the home and frustration in the marriage relationship. Temptation knocked on the door during a business trip ...read on

Andy had just moved into the area and was settling into a new church. He felt a bit uncomfortable as several of the men in the church actually kind of hugged each other on Sunday mornings as they said, “Good morning brother.” While Andy had played the major sports growing up and certainly hugged a teammate after a big play or victory, he saw hugging as odd for church etiquette and steered clear of those men.

One Sunday, one of “those men” came up to Andy, ...read on

Joe felt pretty good about his circle of friends. Luncheon and dinner engagements were frequent. And he had a group of guys would hit the golf course with a few times a month. Conversations stayed pretty superficial but he felt that was what friends were supposed to do, not get into each other’s business.

When Joe left the corporate world, his friends became hard to find. The circle of friends was indeed ...read on

Jesus was given a work to do, a will to obey and a woman to love. His work was to reconnect man with the Father by putting death to sin, healing the disconnect created by Adam in the relationship God desired with man. Jesus’ will to obey was to testify to Truth beyond what the world could comprehend, obeying His Father’s will all the way to the point of death on the cross. His woman to love was the Church, established through a loving relationship with His disciples first as slaves, then friends and finally brothers.

Ron had a work to do, to provide for his family. After a period of immersion in his job and career a men’s movement, called Promise Keepers challenged him ...read on

Passionate about persecuting those following Christ, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He acquired letters from the high priest to present to synagogues in Damascus that granted him power to take any of those who belonged to the Way to Jerusalem as prisoners. But on the road to Damascus Saul was knocked to the ground by a light from Heaven that flashed around him.

I know a dad that was absolutely passionate in his role as a financial provider for his family. He worked hard, accepted moves with his company and pursued the next promotion and associated raise in pay. When his son started having behavioral problems in middle school, he was able to set up the best counseling money could buy to address the issues. But when the counselor said, ...read on

King Nebuchadnezzar was very intentional in assimilating the best and the brightest from lands conquered to the Babylonian way of life. Not only would his kingdom benefit from young, bright minds in the king’s service but retaliatory strikes were less likely when family members were present in the city. This was the fate of Daniel and his friends after Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem. They entered a 3-year training program where they were given new names and told what food to eat, how to worship and who to pray to.

Sounds like some of our schools today – 12 years of training in political correctness. Names are not changed but ...read on

Josiah was eight years old when he became king of Judah. His heritage through his dad and granddad was not good. In fact, Isaiah had prophesied against his dad, Amon, for the wickedness he practiced. It is not good for a king to be prophesied against by a prophet of God! We can only assume that other men or women of God began to influence Josiah because at age 26 he instructed the high priest to begin a refurbishment of the temple in Jerusalem.

Sounds like many of us – The heritage through our earthly fathers may or may not be good. In some cases it works out well – a dad is a good businessman and the son follows in his shoes. In another case, ...read on