Think About It

         I had the chance to spend part of last week in one of my favorite places in the world – the Teton Mountains.   Sure, there is something wonderful about Yellowstone National Park and most of the Rockies are incredible, but there is something special about the Tetons.   As I drove around one of God’s most scenic creations I got the chance to see some pretty cool critters including deer, elk, buffalo, antelope and a fox.   Yet, of all the wonders in this part of the world, the thing that still gets me as excited as anything is seeing a moose.   On one hand they are some of the most odd looking creatures, but there is just something neat about seeing them.           This time of year moose are not really all that attractive.   The bulls are missing their characteristic antlers and all of them are transitioning from enduring a long, rough winter by shedding their winter coats.   T...

I kind of hate to start your day off with this, but what is the meaning of life?   On one hand I realize that this question congers up deep discussions and eons of debate, but I am not sure that its reputation is deserved.   Sure, a lot of people have offered input, but just because someone has an answer doesn’t mean that it is the correct answer.   The preceding statement might tend to put a lot of pressure on me to deliver an accurate declaration that will ring through the ages, but I don’t have to worry about that because my answer isn’t really my answer.   The meaning of life was identified by the One who created life, Jesus, when He said, “ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” .   (Matthew 6:33)   Simply stated, the most important thing in life – and arguably the only important thing in life – is to glorify God.   Sure, we might have other pursuits and diverse interests,...

What is the key to consistently winning?  There may be many answers to this question, but if you watch those who are constantly victorious one of the qualities you will see is confidence – they believe they are going to win.  No, they may not come out on top every time, but they enter each of their competitions with a belief that they are going to win.  Whether in politics, athletics or anywhere else successful people believe they can do the job and are committed to being effective. Have we ever wondered why Christians struggle?   Whether it is in our personal challenges or as a movement it is easy to fear future outcomes and wonder if we are going to fail?   Interestingly, we are the ones who hold the answer to that question!   We determine whether we are going to be victims of or victors over our circumstances.   The New Testament is a story of power and victory.   We have been promised the strength we need to overcome the world when we are...

Do we live in the best of times ... or do we live in the worst of times?   I guess that, depending upon whom we ask, the answer could be “yes”.   We are surrounded by advancements in technology, finances and health care that couldn’t have been imagined a few years back.   Then, on the other hand, our society is struggling with blatant immorality.   The news (as well as community gossip) is filled with stories of evil and unrighteousness.   Most of us agree that our physical advancements make this a great time in which to live, but there is another segment of the population who lament the present condition of man as being so base and perverse that nothing good could come from the modern world.   While it is easy to hop aboard the “life is rotten” bandwagon, let’s take an honest look back at the history of our world.   Do we recall when this observation was made about mankind, “ Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth,...

When our young family moved to Pierre, South Dakota in the summer of 1992 we were excited about the new adventure.   We had never lived in that part of the country, nor had we been so close to the workings of State Government.   Living in Pierre is neat experience because, since it is the second smallest state capital in the United States, you get to experience civics and politics up-close-and-personal.   Less than a year later, we became well aware of just how much of a small town Pierre was.   On April 19, 1993 Governor George Mikkelson, members of his staff and business advisers were killed in an airplane crash.   The community was devastated.   Just about everyone in town had a connection to the incident.   For some, is was a personal relationship with one of the people on the plane, for others it was through their jobs with the state.   Even though it has been twenty-five years since the incident I still recall the initial hurt and the subse...

Would you like to be able to give someone something that would make their lives better?   How many of us have laid in bed at night, contemplating what we would do if we suddenly struck it rich.   After paying for the new boat and the condo on the beach, many of us have pondered what we could do with some of the money to make a difference.   The reality is that we probably aren’t going to come into a substantial amount of money – but, that doesn’t mean that we can’t help others.   Here are a few things we can give the world that will make it better: 1)   We can give a smile .   There is nothing that brightens people day any quicker than a genuine smile.   Just by looking someone in the eye and smiling at them, we might be able to alleviate some of the stress and disappointment they are feeling. 2)   We can give a compliment .   Flattery won’t get us everywhere, but genuine compliments can make a difference.   People are constantly ...

Right about this time each year I have to have a little talk with myself.   Since I typically have to “pay in” on my tax responsibilities, I am not one of the ones who files their taxes any earlier than necessary.   Hey if the mid-April deadline is good enough for them, it is good enough for me.   Sometime around April 15 each year I have to remind myself how I benefit from paying taxes.   When I look at the amount I pay, I have to stop and think about where my money goes.   No, I don’t crack open the federal budget, but I do look around and see the value I get for what I pay.   Not only do I receive benefits such as infrastructure, protection and security, but a portion of what I pay helps others.   In a sense, by paying taxes I can do a little good for the people around me who can’t do it on their own. As I thought about this, I got to thinking about my contribution to the church.   Sure, I realize the Christian obligation that comes with Pau...