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The Wisconsin Badgers came within a free throw of getting to the NCAA championship game. They hit 100% of their free throws in that game until that one. And that was the game. The game before, they beat Arizona by a point to make it into the final four. Arizona was expected by many to take it all, so they were obviously upset. Mayhem broke out in Tucson, with mob crowds starting fires, breaking windows, rioting, shouting and looting. Police armed with batons and tear gas and

I barely caught the report on the radio this week, an inquiry on the difference between those who are ruined by tragedy and those who bounce back. The major differences between them are like a lot of things in life, coming down to attitude and response. Bounce-back people are those who see challenges in adversity and maintain a “can do” attitude, while remaining focused on those things in life that are bigger than they.And the differences are seen across the board, with those

I’m not one to claim that God is talking to me. I’m also very careful about saying that I’m doing something because  God told me to. Not that God does not speak to his people or lead them in a certain direction. But I also want to be careful not to violate the second commandment. The second commandment is essentially this, “Do not attach my name to something that I have not endorsed.” It’s what was done in the crusades. It was violated by many preachers in the south during sl

Wouldn’t it be cool to have that job? You know, the actor’s double on the movie set. At least for a movie or two?Glenn Duhigg says, “No!"He was Tom Cruise’s stand-in for Mission Impossible 2. Here’s what he said about it... "I don’t think many people realize the long hours and constant demands that deflate your ego very quickly. The days are long. Whatever scene Tom was in, I would be the one standing there, being him sometimes for ages as the crew set up the shot – getting t

The Christian world in America was rocked on Tuesday after the Christianity Today interview when Richard Stearns, CEO and President of World Vision, announced that they would begin to hire practicing homosexuals who were legally married. It set off a firestorm of controversy among evangelicals, concerned that the infallibility and authority of Scripture was at stake. I shared those concerns as the Bible has got to be our foundation in belief, practice, and message. Otherwise

Back in 1993 the NCAA Division II College Cross Country Championships had a bizarre and terribly unfair finish. The 6.2 mile course had been marked out with flags by the race officials. But about midway through the race, the front runner, and subsequently those following him, missed a place where the course turned. One runner, Mike Delcavo of Western State College in Colorado, saw the mistake and made the correct turn, waving as many runners as possible to see the direction t

450,000 pound airliners don't just disappear. Until now. In Illinois, we are in the middle of a primary midterm election––today in fact. Russia has essentially invaded Ukraine and now occupies the state of Crimea. But its Malaysian flight 370 with its 239 people on board that has captured our interest. And it probably should. All 239 people are souls with families and friends. They are people just like us. We don’t know if they are alive or dead, being held captive in some re

If you are in a mess and much of it is your own doing, you are not alone. We’ve all made messes.When I say, “mess,” I mean circumstances in your life that are not what they were supposed to be, chaotic, out-of-control, and no clear solution.I’m talking about coming to the realization that you are in a bad relationship but you are so far in, that you don't know what to do about it or how to get out. Maybe it's severe financial distress, partly brought on by some not-so-wise de

I hate to disappoint people. I hate to tell a couple looking to get married that I won’t perform their wedding, nor will any of our pastors at The Bridge. I’m a lot bigger on saying, “Yes.”But I have to say, “No” a lot.It’s just that there’s too much at stake. When one of our pastors at The Bridge officiates a wedding, we take it seriously. We are not just an accompanying bystander, or a friend or family member attending and witnessing. We are participants, and endorsers of t

Some people reject Christianity because they claim there are immoral themes promoted and unethical instructions given in the New Testament. Are there? When people make that claim, I usually ask for examples. The two most common responses have to do with the status of women and condemnation of homosexuality. Let me first say that when it comes to both of those issues, there is some debate regarding the interpretation of the Scriptures cited. But in my mind, the passages are pr

Right now, things are on the edge in Eastern Europe. And the result is a World War of Words. Russian President Putin claims that it was neo-Nazis who led the revolution that toppled the Russian friendly regime last month. On the other side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton claimed that Putin’s actions were Nazi styled aggression. Russia claims they must move in to protect Russian-speaking minorities in the country. The US says that claim is bogus and says that the wh

I didn’t use to.  I thought it was odd. “They are just trying to get attention…wanting to be noticed for being super spiritual." I grew up in a very formal liturgical church. But I didn’t become a committed Christian until I was 17. Then I was saved in a church where the format was less formal, the preaching more conversational, Biblical, and practical. But nobody ever raised their hands during worship…or dared to show any emotion, for that matter. When I went to large group