Monthly Archives: June 2009

Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home; Those are the opening lines of a song that has remained well-known for over 150 years.  Sitting here at my in-laws north of Springfield, MO. those words take on new meaning. No matter where you go, no matter what you … Continue reading »

I may be more quiter than usual this week on the blogsphere.  Immediately following the second service at Christian Life Center today I’m changing clothes, grabbing a sandwich, throwing some luggage in the Town & Country, and hitting the open road. The Smith gang will be spending a few days in the great state of Missouri! … Continue reading »

Sometimes when I look at the lives of people I admire — certain pastors, certain writers, certain business people — I think, “They get so much done every day. They manage all these projects and they’re accomplishing so much with their lives — why is that I seem to spend most of my time just … Continue reading »

“When somebody you’ve wronged forgives you, you’re spared the dull and self-diminishing throb of a guilty conscience. When you forgive somebody who has wronged you, you’re spared the dismal corrosion of bitterness and wounded pride. For both parties, forgiveness means the freedom again to be at peace inside their own skin and to be glad … Continue reading »

If you have a purpose in life — lofty or not — apparently you’ll live longer a new study shows. It doesn’t seem to matter much what the purpose is, or whether the purpose involves a goal that’s ambitious or modest. “It can be anything — from wanting to accomplish a goal in life, to … Continue reading »

This was too good not to share.  It’s from Mark Batterson.  Mark is the Lead Pastor of National Community Church in Washington D.C.  These are his thoughts regarding Father’s Day: What do I want for Father’s Day? It’s so simple and so important. I want my kids to grow up to love God with all … Continue reading »

This Sunday at CLC we’ll continue the series Learning from the Mistakes of Others by talking about SPIRITUAL LOOPHOLES!  There is a recurring theme throughout the gospel of Matthew, and it’s very clear in chapter 23–there is a difference between being religious and spiritual!   We’ve spent a few weeks in Matthew 23 looking at this … Continue reading »

You probably know most of Johnny Cash’s story. He became famous in the fifties at the same time as Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. While his career sky rocketed, his personal life bottomed out: he nearly destroyed himself with drugs and alcohol. In the late sixties he gave his life to Christ, gave up drugs, … Continue reading »

Emile Calliet, the French mystic and professor of Philosophy, spoke often about the condition we commonly refer to as “burnout.” He described it as “a leakage of spiritual power.” He told his students this condition was caused not by external pressure, but by internal deterioration. I know this has been the case in my life. … Continue reading »

Monty Roberts is an internationally known horse-trainer; the BBC did a documentary on him called The Real Horse Whisperer. When he was a young boy living in a camper on the back of a pickup truck, he had a dream of someday owning a ranch filled with horses. He wrote about his dream once for … Continue reading »