CoffeeBreak With The Word

Everybody complains about something at least some of the time. It seems that we slip more easily into griping than gratitude, tending to note what’s wrong than what’s right. Nowhere is that more likely to happen than in our homes, in the context of our closest relationships.  We take more liberties with the people we […]

I am generally an irreverent kind of person, not much impressed with pomp and circumstance nor over-awed by trappings of power. But I do know the wonder of worship and the humble response of awe in the Presence of God. Do you?  We generally suffer from a lack of reverence in our time.  We have […]

Years ago, when I played at golf (I make no claim of actually playing golf since my game was so bad) I played an informal game that included ‘mulligans.’  A mulligan is a ‘do-over!’ Formal golf counts every stroke, good and bad. When playing mulligans, the first shot that went awry is set aside. Only […]

The greatest wealth of my life is my network of friends and family!  Those who with whom I ‘do life’ give texture, joy, and support to my days. Being part of teams – at church, at work – multiplies the results of my efforts. I offer what I am able to give as do those […]

My friend enjoys finding a vintage (better than old, right?) car and taking it apart, fixing the broken things, redoing the upholstery, and giving it new paint.  A few years ago he took me to see his latest project. Proudly he raised the hood of a car more than a half-century old so I could […]

Every Christian has moments when they wonder, “Why did that happen to me?  How could a good God allow this situation?” We believe that if we ‘play by the rules’ faithfully following Christ Jesus, our Lord, life will go well. On the whole, that is true. There are great blessings found in responding to the […]

An article I read recently observed that a Christian faces new kinds of spiritual challenges in their 50’s or 60’s that can provoke a loss of Christian practice and diminished faith. The writer surveyed 500 self-professed Christians of that age group about their church involvement. More than half reported that they were no longer involved […]

After being elected to head an organization, it came to my attention that some ‘insiders’ were using their positions to gain personal perks. It probably was not illegal, but it certainly was unethical. With that knowledge came a choice!  Do I change the ways things are being done and risk the wrath of those who […]

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9, NIV)  Do you know peace, live in peace, and bring peace? In the late 19th century the Colt Arms company issued a revolver that came to be called ‘the Peacemaker.’ The .45 caliber handgun packed a deadly punch and […]

“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8, NLT)  “Purity” is a word that will often invite ridicule these days. What is lewd, mean, or even cruel passes for sophistication.  A person who is capable of concealing his true intent or motive to double-dealing his way to ‘success’ is […]