Here’s a thought I had about a recent article I read about “church shopping”. We really need to stay true to God’s Word.

Here’s an audio recording with some thoughts on the Christianity Today article on prosperity.

It’s that time of the year again! Love is in the air…

Here’s an audio clip with just a few thoughts on what’s going on in the economy and how I think we can keep a Godly perspective.

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I was going to take my kids to the circus, but I changed my mind. I know kids love the circus, but I started thinking. I was thinking about the smell. You know, the elephants, the stuffy tent, the crowded seats—smelly.

I thought about the cotton candy—tastes good, but so sticky! And it gets on everything—your hands, your clothes, in your hair. And afterward, you’ll spend weeks trying to get the last traces of it out of your car. No, for me, the circus is just not worth the trouble.

But for my kids? Now that’s a different story. For them, the circus is wonderful. They’re not thinking about the smell or the sticky mess. Their focus is on the fun and the laughs and the wonder of it all. So who’s right? Well, to be really honest, I think they are.

You see, if we only focus on the negatives, we’ll never enjoy anything. And that goes for most everything.

Think about your car. Remember when you first got it? You loved everything about it. Couldn’t wait to go for a drive. Kept it sparkling clean inside and out. But after a few years, a couple of nicks and scratches—there’s nothing to get excited about anymore.

How about your job? When you started, the sky was the limit! You couldn’t wait to get there! But now…you could think of a hundred reasons to show up late, or even to skip a day. Same probably goes for church: now that the newness has worn off, how excited are you to get there every time?

The point is this: when we only focus on the problems, we lose sight of God’s plan.

That’s what happened to Abraham. He had barely gotten to the Promised Land when news of a famine caused him to pack up and head for Egypt. He didn’t want to deal with the problems that came with the promise.

But listen, even God’s best for us in this very real, fallen world is going to come with some challenges. When we focus on the bad stuff—the smelly, sticky stuff—we miss the joy of trusting God and loving the life He intends for us. You think about that—I’m going to the circus…

I was in my office the other day preparing for a sermon. Many times my assistants encourage me to stay in the office until I finish my studying. So, I stay there away from all the noise and distractions. It was this particular day I realized how God has spoken to me so many times while I’m in my office. My office is a “Bethel.”

The Hebrew word “Bethel,” means “House of God” or “Place of God.” On a personal, spiritual level, Bethel is the place where God was and is discovered for you.

I pray for all Christians to have a Bethel. For some it could be your church where you’ve always discovered that God is there. You go and you hear His voice and you know that because He dwells there and your heart is changed, that is the place of true transformation. But it’s not always a church.

Years ago, when I still lived in Las Vegas, I used to be a sales rep. My territory included parts of Nevada and Utah and I had to drive the distance from Las Vegas to Cedar City, Utah in order to service a couple accounts.

Just outside the city was Virgin River Gorge, which to me is the epitome of beauty in nature. I would make my way to a parking space and time out my lunch to make sure I’d make my meeting in time. From there I’d crawl down the ravine where there were raging river waters and I’d tip-toe from rock to rock to get to this huge six-foot, flat rock. I’d sit there and just worship and pray.

I still know that place. If I went back there today and saw that rock I’d be filled with emotion because God spoke to me on that river gorge in amazing, supernatural ways.

That’s a Bethel for me.

So, where’s your Bethel? You might have had several through the years. If it’s been a while, go back. And if you don’t have one, let me encourage you—find a place to make one today.