Published every Friday by Pastor Tom Griffith

I can remember if very clearly, as if it were yesterday, though it was 31 years ago. I was seated in a room with nearly 500 elderly people, listening to a presentation of the significance of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

The Christian life is far more than a set of beliefs and principles. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s more than a recollection of what He has done in the past – either in history or years ago in our lives. It is present interaction and empowerment – at this very moment.

A sincere expression of thanks often encourages and lifts others up. It makes a connection; it kind of says, “I get you and I am grateful for what you have done.” This connection can happen when you let someone cut in front of you in traffic, and they express thanks; or when you say, “Thank […]

Do you feel healthy, directed and centered, or do you feel worn, torn and out of sorts? Our lives are affected by many sources of information and challenge. We can easily feel pulled in a variety of directions, and tired – always trying to catch up with moving and changing goals. These are the trials […]

Have you ever read a book that seemed to just about transform your life, then recommended it to someone else who didn’t find it to be very profound? Or have you ever really loved a movie, and later found that none of your friends seemed to even like it much? This can make you feel […]

Input, input, input! Sights, sounds, smells, tastes, feelings – they are bombarding us all day long. (Trucks and jackhammers are tearing up the street about 20 feet from me at this very moment.) We learn to filter out so much of what is coming our way, just to survive.
When it’s time to listen to people, […]

If you could have anything you wanted, what would it be? If you received a visitation from an angel expressing God’s favor toward you and offering you whatever you most wanted – for what would you ask? Would you ask for money, relationships, skills or health? If you could have anything what would that thing […]

What are the deep inner needs that people have? We all want to be accepted, to find a measure of joy and happiness, to have a sense of direction and purpose, to be whole and to be connected to others and God. This is a rounded and healthy life.
There are many aspects of life that […]

When life feels overwhelming it can easily lead to a negative, unproductive spiral if you aren’t careful. A scarcity mentality can sap the life out of life. You know how it works: “I don’t have enough energy, so I will do as little as I can to get by;” “I don’t have much money, so […]

What do you do when the list is too long? What do you do when you are falling behind and the goals seem too hard to attain? Do you press yourself too hard? Do you press others too hard?
Remember, when all else fails, choose love. Make sure that you “put on” love, like a favorite […]

There is a Sabbath-rest for the people of God. Anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own heavy, driven, striving efforts. (Hebrews 4:9-10) God wants to invite you to share His rest with Him.
God’s rest is not a matter of inactivity, for God is active even at this very moment. His rest is […]

Is it hard for you to ask for things? We know that men rarely ask for directions, and that those in the helping services find it difficult to ask for help for themselves, but what about you? As you consider this past week, have you asked for anything?
The book of James says, “You don’t have […]

Often we miss much of what is going on around us. We tend to be busy with our lives – with the next thing that feels so important to us – that we overlook what else is happening. It is almost as if we only care about what “We” are doing. Remember, however, that life […]

When you consider God does He seem close or far away? Does it seem that He communicates with you regularly or once in a great while?
In the Old Testament we see record of God showing up in great power to lead and direct His people, but these theophanies were rare and inconsistent. God tended to […]

You are going to face hardships in life. Unfortunately, the difficulties often come in converging waves with riptide force that seek to pull you into deep waters of faith – where you can’t easily touch ground. The good news is that God will lead you through these trials if you can seek Him and follow […]

Are you growing as a person? Are you growing spiritually? How can you tell?
Personal growth is necessary for spiritual growth. Some people don’t understand this. They think that they can grow spiritually without becoming more mature as a person. They hope they can become spiritual giants without becoming more honest and responsible. It will not […]