tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89806153991827096952012-02-14T16:29:17.714-08:00St. John's Presbyterian Church, 11000 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CASteve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.comBlogger1131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-65232932150383573402012-02-05T17:22:00.000-08:002012-02-09T14:23:43.873-08:00

A few years ago I was reading the “Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook.” It explains how to survive various life or death situations.  There was a chapter on "How to Escape from Quicksand." Another on "How to Survive a Gunshot Wound."  Then there was "How to Escape a Submerged Car," "How to Survive a Shark or Bear Attack" etc.  A couple of weeks ago I was on a week long study leave at Fuller

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-86066428875103274812012-01-22T23:04:00.000-08:002012-02-07T21:23:54.490-08:00

Perhaps you've heard the spoken word video by Jefferson Bethke that’s had over 16 million hits on youtube.  It’s called, “Why I Hate Religion, but Love Jesus.”  Here are a few lines:    What if I told you Jesus came to abolish religion? See, the problem with religion is it never gets to the core It’s just behavior modification, like a long list of chores Like, “Let’s dress up the

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-51344351775406340002012-01-15T18:51:00.000-08:002012-01-29T19:59:54.325-08:00

How can we recognize true Christianity or be sure that we are authentic followers of Christ in the spiritual and religious maze that we live in? John’s letter was written to help us recognize some clear signs of genuine Christian faith.  The second of these “life signs” is an illuminated life (1 John 1:5 - 2:2) On my college ring are the words, “Let there be light,” with an open book and

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-37711412067548870942012-01-08T17:46:00.000-08:002012-01-29T18:03:52.069-08:00

We live in a time of declining trust in spiritual leaders, an era of disappointment with organized religion, when alternative creeds and philosophies abound, where many feel that “truth is in the eye of the beholder.”  In such a day, how can Christians be sure that their own spiritual experiences are genuine? In his letter, John gives us some clear signs of an authentically Christian faith

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-77161937801767034482011-12-19T10:35:00.000-08:002011-12-19T11:11:42.423-08:00

This month we’ve been considering why millions, many without understanding, have been caught up with Christmas; why we bear silent witness to the Savior’s birth with multi-colored lights and holiday parties and evergreen trees and, yes, with Christmas carols, those songs that can’t be silenced. I was surprised to learn that even Richard Dawkins, the well known atheist and author of The God

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-44953065713700099772011-12-12T18:38:00.000-08:002011-12-13T12:23:05.354-08:00

The Christmas Tree is one of those universal symbols of this season… it stands in front of city halls and on top of skyscrapers; and millions stand in line each year to buy one for their living room.  As my family and I were shopping for a noble fir at the local home improvement store last Saturday, I thought how amazing it would be if the line of worshipers coming to church the next day

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-90921461237218876802011-12-12T16:14:00.000-08:002011-12-13T13:05:56.092-08:00

After the angel's announcement to Mary that she would bear the Christ child, Luke records her Psalm-like song of praise: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior..." (Luke 1:46ff.).  Mary celebrates with all of heaven because she has just been invited to be part of the greatest miracle in history.  Now it's quite a steep descent from this majestic song of

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-50012061813581565092011-12-05T11:43:00.001-08:002011-12-07T13:25:56.783-08:00

Hiking in the Verdugo Mountains one December evening, I remember looking out over the Valley, and beyond the Santa Monica Mountains to downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific, to see millions upon millions of dazzling Christmas lights twinkling in the darkness.  It reminded me of Jack Hayford's comment that God has “caught” humankind with the brilliant lights of Christmas (Jack Hayford, Come...and

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-9329357974115426482011-11-30T11:07:00.000-08:002011-11-30T11:07:06.928-08:00

The other day I was doing an interview with an 8th grade boy from a nearby Catholic school.  I’ve done several of these interviews in the past, and this one was arranged by his mother. She told me over the phone that it was the boy's father who would bring him to the interview.  Now this 8th grader, who I'm going to call Andrew, had a lot of good questions for me…I got to share about the core

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-26705995661987817252011-11-13T16:44:00.001-08:002011-11-30T10:59:09.878-08:00

A popular college application asks, “What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?” How would you answer that question? These were some answers: The building of the pyramids, the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln at Gettysburg, D-Day WWII, the assassination of JFK, Woodstock, the first moon landing. One person said, ‘my parent’s wedding.’  I noticed that many said "

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-76182039383959694642011-10-16T13:23:00.000-07:002011-11-13T14:18:05.588-08:00

Last week a friend of mine who writes for a car magazine was reflecting with me about what it means to “live out the ancient call.”  “In the drag races,” he reminded me, “they say ‘stay on it’ or ‘don't lift.’ In other words, keep the throttle mashed to the floor from the starting line until past the finish line.  I love that! When he said that, I not only felt his encouragement but the

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-32123441222390204722011-10-09T17:25:00.000-07:002011-11-13T14:19:16.777-08:00

Steve Jobs remarked this year in the Wall Street Journal, “When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-83540788399475875292011-09-11T12:39:00.000-07:002011-09-29T20:03:46.749-07:00

The 'ground zero' cross Ten years after the destructive events of Sept. 11, there have been many promises and pledges made.  There have been pledges never to forget the fallen. There have been solemn pledges to stand against terrorism. Still others are making a renewed pledge to service, or to work for peace.  These are all expressions of commitment and hope and even faith.  Nehemiah and his

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-63932756128001328592011-09-04T15:05:00.000-07:002011-09-23T12:41:14.089-07:00

A few weeks ago, many of us saw the news story about a 5.8 earthquake that was felt from Georgia to Canada...and for many friends I know out that way, it was their very first experience.  In California and other parts of the world where earthquakes are more common, we've become quite sophisticated in the way we prepare for the ground to move in unexpected ways.  I have a friend whose

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-6888704041398826302011-08-30T15:52:00.000-07:002011-08-30T16:25:07.400-07:00

Have you ever heard of the pillar saints?  No, I'm not talking about Abraham or Moses or Elijah or the Twelve Apostles.  I'm talking about guys like Simeon, one of a group of monks who actually lived on top of pillars during the fifth century in order to purify themselves from corruption in the church and in the world. Simeon began with a pillar about six feet high, then gradually increased

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-56116798741616209842011-08-23T17:21:00.000-07:002011-10-07T11:20:49.348-07:00

When my family and I went on our 4,079 mile road trip this summer -- we immediately went from sea level to the south rim of Grand Canyon -- about 7000 feet, and continued to live at or near that elevation for the next three weeks as we crossed into Colorado, the Black Hills of South Dakota, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton.  As a diabetic at these altitudes, my blood sugar becomes somewhat

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-8334574510604975892011-08-12T17:22:00.000-07:002011-08-18T11:53:51.984-07:00

I used to have a motivational poster that said: Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.  Then I saw an anti-motivational poster that features a giant snowball rolling down a hill of ice:“Team work: A few harmless flakes working together can unleash

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-63586900597052926662011-08-09T18:03:00.000-07:002011-08-10T11:55:20.510-07:00

Construction of Freedom Tower, New York, Aug. 2011 Back in February, after some conflict in our music ministry, staff turnover, and the stress of our troubled economy… I felt called as a pastor to declare a season of restoration, a season of rebuilding (I know, no surprise there)!  Along those same lines, I want to peer into the Book of Nehemiah and consider something which God has laid on

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-88366716465593547502011-05-24T18:19:00.001-07:002011-05-24T23:51:40.999-07:00

I think it's fair to say that here in the west, we “live for the weekend.”  The one prayer everybody knows at the office is, “Thank God it’s Friday!” But though it was Henry Ford who instituted the five day work week in 1926, it was God who commanded us to keep the sabbath day; and it was Jesus who said, “Come away by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6: 31) -- more about that

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-39172912510694529362011-04-25T17:52:00.000-07:002011-04-25T18:15:02.953-07:00

Throughout the Bible, some of the greatest stories of redemption, restoration, and renewal are “Third-Day Stories.”  On the third day of Creation, God brings forth life on the earth (Gen. 1); on the third day God provides a ram for Abraham to sacrifice instead of his son (Gen. 22).  On the third day God heals King Hezekiah and gives him 15 more years; and on the third day of the month of Adar,

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-51914825683751599122011-04-17T20:23:00.000-07:002011-04-17T20:27:06.156-07:00

Old Jericho Road In first century Palestine, walking was not a form of recreation, it was a form of transportation.  The journey from Galilee to Jerusalem is a strenuous distance of 120 miles -- a trip which Jesus made on foot several times in his adult life.  The journey ends on the Jericho Road...a trail winding through the mountains to the Holy City where pilgrims ascend 3000 feet in fifteen

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-7342814348991743152011-04-10T22:12:00.000-07:002011-04-19T00:04:32.641-07:00

Over the past 12 weeks, we’ve been exploring some of the greatest stories of redemption, restoration, and rebuilding in scripture: Third-Day Stories. And before we look at the greatest third day story of all, the Easter Story, beginning next week, we’re going to look at a story that could not have happened but for the miracle of Easter: the story of how Saul was converted from a sworn enemy of

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-82623542270169814962011-04-03T16:27:00.000-07:002011-04-12T17:10:02.791-07:00

The only miracle that occurs in all four gospels, is the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, and feeding of the multitudes.  Evidently, this miracle made a tremendous impression on the disciples.  For those who are unfamiliar with the gospels, Jesus actually fed the multitudes on two different occasions.  On one he fed five thousand (Mark 6); and on another four thousand (Mark 8).  Now I

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-62265921008642175922011-01-27T23:26:00.000-08:002011-02-18T18:11:36.565-08:00

Hiking down Mount Sinai, Egypt, at sunset How ready are we to hear or to recognize God's voice?  As I've been reading about Moses’ journey to Mount Sinai in Exodus 19, where he led the people of Israel and they received the ten commandments…I was reminded of a time when I too was told by God to bring someone to Mount Sinai and, no, I'm not kidding. I want to share with you a little later how

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-6987266673502841852011-01-26T23:17:00.000-08:002011-01-27T22:43:19.908-08:00

In times of suffering it may seem as though God is cruel and mean or his plan and purpose unclear. To some, the Bible may indeed seem to portray a God who is capricious and cruel… who tells Abraham, for example, to take his son and sacrifice him on Mount Moriah.  Let’s read the opening verses of Gen. 22, some of the most unsettling verses in Scripture: "After these things God tested Abraham.  He

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-15787904068359888172011-01-11T16:11:00.000-08:002011-01-26T23:17:39.137-08:00

The Bible is both a wonderfully human and God-breathed Book: "an anvil," I heard Dr. Bruce Metzger once say, "that has worn out many hammers."  We can divide the Bible up by language, the earlier Hebrew Scriptures and the later Greek Scriptures. We can divide the Bible up by book and author: the Protestant Bible contains 66 in all.  We can divide the Bible up into categories like The Five Books

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-81576980713191967542010-12-29T20:00:00.000-08:002010-12-29T20:29:15.943-08:00

The oldest continuously worshiping church in the world is the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The church is built above a cave that many believe to be the birthplace of Christ. Now the beautiful thing about this church is that in order to enter through the Church of the Nativity one must pass through a very low gate.  You cannot enter without bending low; and then again when one approaches

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-16272326761230024292010-12-20T22:13:00.000-08:002010-12-20T22:20:22.635-08:00

After 85 degree heat last Sunday, we’re finally getting some winter weather here in Southern California…continuous rain through Thursday… But that’s nothing compared to Paris which had the heaviest snow fall in 25 years this past week, forcing 8,000 people to spend the night in the airport and nearby company offices , and shopping malls. And don’t forget Great Britain. They’re having the heaviest

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-739895739464071372010-12-12T22:52:00.000-08:002010-12-19T23:46:29.647-08:00

The other day, I saw the Nutcracker ballet with my family. It’s the story of a girl who receives the gift of a toy soldier, a soldier that magically comes to life and takes her on a great adventure. As I watched the performance… I started thinking (with a little prompting from a chapter in Lewis' Mere Christianity entitled, "The Obstinate Toy Soldier") about how many children’s stories have this

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-50466353324091458772010-11-28T22:12:00.000-08:002010-12-14T22:44:33.000-08:00

Personally, I’m hoping for less than a merry Christmas this year…I would be happy with a merely Christmas. Perhaps it’s just the influence of Lewis’ book, Mere Christianity, but I’m longing for the truth of Christmas…plain and simple. I was at a Target the other day with Lisa watching the store make preparations for Black Friday and the beginning of “Merry Christmas.” We were picking up a few

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-13693260270992769742010-11-16T23:07:00.000-08:002010-11-18T13:35:41.965-08:00

Director Brian Flemming, a self-described “atheist Christian,” has taken on a tough assignment. In his documentary, The God Who Wasn’t There, he is trying to prove that Jesus never existed. In an interview with Christianity Today, he says, “I think that knowledge is basically the enemy of faith, and so I’m basically encouraging people to seek knowledge.” I couldn’t agree more or less… I couldn’t

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-87219624833579629512010-11-09T12:13:00.000-08:002010-11-10T14:33:00.401-08:00

As Jesus hung on the cross, “[one of the criminals hanging beside him] said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise’” (Luke 23: 43). Do you want to be in Paradise? Many of us aren’t so sure. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain describes a Christian spinster Miss Watson, “a tolerable slim old maid,

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-80851362625898903712010-10-31T22:10:00.000-07:002010-11-03T10:21:58.441-07:00

On Halloween, children pretend to be someone or something they’re not.  I’ve come to believe that, despite its darker side -- it’s the opportunity to pretend, to role play, to be childlike...which is what actually redeems Halloween in my mind, as well as the opportunity to meet and greet our neighbors.  C. S. Lewis once said, "When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-21529754671045111992010-10-26T22:36:00.000-07:002010-10-27T10:55:11.516-07:00

C. S. Lewis, the author of Mere Christianity, confesses at the beginning of his chapter on marriage that he did not particularly want to write it, in part because he was not married, but also because “the Christian doctrines on this subject are extremely unpopular.” Sixty seven years later, I couldn't agree more!  The Christian perspective on marriage is still unpopular…even among some Christians

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-90581475067291571912010-10-26T21:27:00.000-07:002010-10-26T21:28:36.201-07:00

Last night Lisa and I went out for Mexican food, and I have to confess. I did it again. I ordered a chili relleno, among other things. In fact, I grade Mexican restaurants by the quality of their chili rellenos. Now there is nothing wrong with indulging my desire for chili rellenos, but if I ate ten of them a day; and began neglecting my family so that I could spend more time collecting pictures

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-88611008149465571582010-10-25T21:28:00.000-07:002010-10-27T11:05:27.595-07:00

For many people, “morality” (the idea that there are standards of right and wrong behavior) stands for everything that gets in the way of freedom.  It represents all that interferes and keeps us from having fun. In truth, morality (at least from the Christian perspective) is not what prevents us from playing and having fun, it’s what makes it possible to play at all -- much as a football game is

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-90904459753778602512010-10-25T17:53:00.000-07:002010-10-25T19:39:23.237-07:00

In C. S. Lewis' Mere Christianity, he speaks of what he calls “a frightening alternative.” Either this man Jesus was and is God, come in the flesh…or else he was a lunatic, or something worse…an egomaniacal, manipulative liar. Jesus didn’t seem to fit the description of a madman nor a fiendish liar; and it is hard to believe his own followers would have willingly died to claim that a liar and

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-21051665677760288732010-09-21T16:46:00.000-07:002010-09-24T11:53:32.062-07:00

“I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightening. See, I have given you authority…over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10: 17-20). These astounding words spoken by Jesus in the midst of his Galilean ministry are like a declaration of war by a King over his adversary; a King who is determined to take back what was unjustly taken from him.  Was Jesus deceived, or was he divine?  Is

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-52542100521488785222010-09-14T17:35:00.000-07:002010-09-15T10:18:41.053-07:00

What did you dream about this week? On this anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, many are dreaming about peace, the end of terror, war, and the triumph of good. When C. S. Lewis first delivered the BBC radio talks that he would later publish as Mere Christianity, it was the height of WWII when millions dreamed about the victory of good over evil and a world set right. Could this desire for

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-33071418652656298132010-08-30T18:12:00.000-07:002010-10-02T16:03:36.308-07:00

Can you name five front page stories this week? Here are mine: There was another story about the slowing economy; the five year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina; a story about our Marines in Afghanistan; about corruption in the nearby city of Vernon; and an expose of the egg industry...not to mention continuing debates over gay rights.  At such a time as this, Jesus helps us think about our

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-70452906823287105472010-08-24T21:33:00.000-07:002010-09-03T17:59:02.509-07:00

Last weekend, my family and I were in Little Tokyo in downtown LA where my daughters were hula dancing. As they were getting ready to perform I wandered around the outdoor festival looking at the various booths and vendors.  At one point someone offered me a brochure on Buddhism which I accepted and began to read.  What I found was a description of Buddhism and its relationship to Christianity

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-25592154807396953832010-08-09T23:11:00.000-07:002010-08-09T23:49:03.024-07:00

I've been thinking a lot about generations lately.  My dad is retiring for the second time in his career this month.  My daughters are on the brink of adolesence...Lisa and I just marked our 15th wedding anniversary, and last night we attended my 30th high school reunion...but more about that later.  Today, we hear a lot about the great divide between generations; and, in generational theory,

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-61168637462944789992010-07-28T16:32:00.000-07:002010-07-29T18:02:56.094-07:00

In the National Archives Building, the two hundred and thirty year old Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights have been painstakingly preserved. I'm told that it took more than two years for engineers and scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and NASA to complete their work on new gold-plated, titanium-framed encasements for the documents. The parchments

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-35840779105595595622010-06-30T20:48:00.000-07:002010-06-30T20:54:14.581-07:00

What is the most unethical or dishonest company that you can think of today? The Swiss research firm, Covalence, released a list of the 12 least ethical companies of 2010.• Among them was Barrick Gold Corp. accused of illegally burning 130 homes and manipulating land titles in Papau New Guinea to clear the way for its gold mining operations. • Then there was Mediaset, the massive Italian TV

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-25486720418956070592010-06-29T17:22:00.000-07:002010-06-30T20:55:38.275-07:00

This month, there are many proud parents who watched their children complete another grade level, culminate from elementary school or middle school, or graduate from high school or college. It was a time to celebrate and give thanks for our children, and the pride we have in their accomplishments. When I see the sons and daughters of my own church…I also see their fathers, and their mothers, and

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-55784804043642759452010-06-15T22:02:00.001-07:002010-06-18T12:22:14.356-07:00

Was Jesus a “religious extremist”? Yes…and No. Jesus certainly asked for extreme commitment to him as Lord, saying that we must put him before family, or possessions, and our own self-interest (Luke 14: 25-33). But was Jesus a “religious extremist” in the sense of being a militant revolutionary? We can say unequivocally…no. Jesus did not lead his followers to violently overthrow his enemies…he

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-40411397608141379362010-06-15T22:01:00.000-07:002010-06-15T22:01:18.096-07:00

Last week the greatest basketball coach in modern history, John Wooden, died at the age of 99. Wooden led UCLA to 620 victories in 27 seasons, and 10 national titles. Wooden knew the cost of building a championship team. He understood the cost of winning. He was loved by his University and became an icon of sports history. The importance of counting the cost before taking on some great endeavor

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-26204081082301763692010-06-01T21:28:00.000-07:002010-06-01T23:00:07.313-07:00

A man approaches Jesus, asking him to play the role of judge --not an unusual thing to ask a rabbi in those days. “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me” he cries. No doubt the father left his possessions to his sons in a lump sum -- not a problem if there was peace between the brothers, but there wasn’t. So the man approaches Jesus like a judge on The People’s Court

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-44967078127097299562010-05-23T15:14:00.000-07:002010-05-24T15:20:23.862-07:00

If you grew up in the 70's like I did, you probably remember Godspell…or the song “Day by Day." It's the background music playing as Greg (Ben Stiller) goes shopping with his fiancé in the romantic comedy, Meet the Parents. Later, when they ask him to say grace in an awkward moment, this is what comes out of his mouth: "Oh, dear God, thank you. You are such a good God to us…So we thank you, O

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-53001959463176088022010-05-20T11:18:00.000-07:002010-05-20T20:19:19.583-07:00

This past week, I watched – as many of you did – a news story about a group of young girls dancing and girating in provocative costumes to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.” I thought it was simply bizarre to watch eight and nine year old girls bumping and grinding in a music video. The parents, of course, were totally fine with it. They'd brought them to this performing arts school to learn how to be

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-12976105961484562472010-05-14T14:24:00.000-07:002010-05-23T15:04:36.621-07:00

"Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.... [and] wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-30786334166619540592010-05-04T19:55:00.000-07:002010-05-05T15:49:15.108-07:00

If you think that parties are the domain of the fraternity house, the Friday afternoon office, or the tailgate -- but definitely not the circle of Jesus' followers, think again....because Jesus teaches us in Luke 14: 1-24 that the invitation to life in God’s kingdom is more like the invitation to a great dinner party; a party to which all are invited, but sadly one that not all will choose to

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-14871316432979358092010-04-25T20:53:00.000-07:002010-04-26T16:46:35.927-07:00

Plain of Gennesaret, Sea of Galilee / holylandphotos.org Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-39929057239350359702010-04-12T22:43:00.000-07:002010-04-19T17:46:08.699-07:00

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul speaks of the compelling truth of the resurrection and the many witnesses of that event. “Last of all,” Paul says, “as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles unfit to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God –but by the grace of God I am what I am.” The story of how Paul's life was re-directed by the Risen

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-38492671539631075792010-04-06T15:12:00.000-07:002010-04-06T15:24:45.199-07:00

I want you to try to remember an event…a event that left a strong emotional impact on your life: perhaps it was the day you moved into your first home, the day a close family member died, a reunion or special birthday, a graduation from high school or college. I remember my wedding day very clearly. For one thing...it was hot, I mean really hot (a record 105 degrees for July 16 in the Bay Area)…

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-2033190566160031782010-04-02T16:12:00.000-07:002010-04-02T16:12:20.706-07:00

The Apostle Paul doesn’t quite fit the profile of what most would assume to be a contented man. After all, he wrote many of his letters from a prison, knowing his death could be imminent. Yet again and again he says, “I rejoice in the Lord!” At the conclusion of his letter to the Philippians, Paul thanks his friends for the gift they sent him…but reminds them that while he's grateful, he doesn't

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-63195829294434396712010-03-23T17:37:00.000-07:002010-03-25T17:38:25.503-07:00

Last night, after a “peaceful” and relaxing day in Santa Barbara, our family drove home to a much anticipated good night’s rest…and it was, until about three in the morning when the sound of a car crash and broken glass awakened us from sleep. Startled by the sound my wife Lisa sprang out of bed to see what was going on but didn’t see anything suspicious. Naturally, I stayed in bed (so much for

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-57272653084486669622010-03-18T10:27:00.001-07:002010-03-18T21:41:47.572-07:00

Athletic competition, and certainly Olympic competition, would be very different without the prize. As spectators, we anticipate the medal ceremonies… the national anthem playing, the look of joy, the congratulations and applause. When I was rowing crew in my college years, the reward most often received for winning was a t-shirt from the other team. That’s all we got, for the most part, but that

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-78316765348367669352010-03-08T10:34:00.000-08:002010-03-09T13:25:30.645-08:00

What do you seriously believe will get you through this life, not to mention beyond it? Is it your professional or academic accomplishments? Is it your good grades, your degrees, or your excellent job? Is it your family background, your good genetics, or your social position? Perhaps it's who you know, or who you can schmooze? Paul says in Philippians 3: 3 that he has absolutely "no confidence in

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-66918040642624514102010-03-01T18:31:00.000-08:002010-03-02T12:54:16.515-08:00

How many true friends do you have? In the age of Facebook, when the sheer number of friends we have is a kind of status symbol, this is a relevant question. C. S. Lewis commented that “Friendship is the greatest of worldly goods…If I had to give a piece of advice to a young man about a place to live, I think I should say, ‘sacrifice almost everything to live where you can be near your friends" [

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-30802076979305667772010-02-22T16:32:00.000-08:002010-02-25T09:45:37.205-08:00

At some point we all start thinking that the world revolves around us; and yet the stunning truth of our faith is that the One around whom the universe really does revolve emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death -- even death on a cross. “Therefore,” Paul says, “God highly exalted him and gave to his Crucified and Risen Son the name that is above every name”

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-14880466795252594542010-02-14T16:34:00.000-08:002010-02-15T22:41:25.826-08:00

Years ago while on a summer long trip to the Middle East, my friends and I found ourselves in Alexandria, Egypt...sharing arabic coffee and a warm meal with a Coptic Orthodox family in their sea side home. As I stood on the balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, I was intensely aware of two things. First, how far away from home and everything familiar I was. Second, how completely at home I

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-58523705241365259352010-01-28T17:35:00.000-08:002010-02-01T13:27:48.360-08:00

During last year's brutal Southern California brush fires, twelve firefighters were trapped atop a ridge after flames jumped the road sending the fire up the hillside, and prompting them to deploy their fire shelters. "We just remained calm, everyone did," one firefighter said after he was checked out by paramedics. You just have to admire a bunch of guys who can go out into an inferno for an

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-15719269372840501872010-01-17T22:30:00.000-08:002010-01-18T21:48:24.398-08:00

The news this week has been sad...unhappy by any measure of the word, especially when our thoughts turn to Haiti. In America, the constitution guarantees us the right to pursue happiness, and we usually do by whatever means are available and legal; but I can't help but wonder what it means to pursue happiness in Haiti….in a country that's been flattened by a 7.0 earthquake and nearly 100,000

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-18298207610850128652010-01-11T19:31:00.000-08:002010-02-25T13:21:10.208-08:00

Of all the churches founded by the Apostle Paul, the Philippians brought him the most joy. The irony is that the story of how Paul came to Philippi began not with joy, but with disouragement and frustration. We read in Acts 15: 36ff. that at the outset of Paul's second missionary journey there was "a sharp disagreement" between Paul and Barnabus about whether to bring young John Mark along again.

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-5858319851991889442009-12-21T21:45:00.001-08:002010-01-01T12:32:15.691-08:00

What is peace? Is it simply the absence of commotion...a little peace and quiet? Is it the serenity and calm we feel beside a warm fireplace on a winter's night? Is it the declaration of a cease fire between two warring enemies, or the terms dictated by a conquering nation? Is it a sign we make with our hand to express our hopes for the world? Is peace real or just an ideal?On the night of Jesus’

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-78667126139876340562009-12-14T20:00:00.000-08:002009-12-26T17:48:12.406-08:00

We are the generation of extreme realism...not easily lured into 'over the top' displays of joyous enthusiasm. Sarcasm and cynicism are more acceptable than the genuinely positive affirmation. The Bible, on the other hand, rings with joy - from God's "very good" creation (Gen. 1: 31) to the Psalms of David which speak again and again of the "joy of the Lord"...to Jesus himself whom Luke says was

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-60325553869821111392009-12-06T21:48:00.000-08:002009-12-10T14:08:31.509-08:00

18Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-1442599417909427962009-11-30T21:00:00.000-08:002009-12-05T17:56:12.033-08:00

I never tire of hearing (or telling) the story of Christmas...and that story begins with a man in search of hope (Luke 1: 5-25). His name was Zechariah, a direct descendent of Aaron (Moses’ brother) – and like every male descendent of Aaron, he was a priest – and as a priest it was important that he marry a woman of absolutely pure Israelite lineage. Now it was considered a special blessing if

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-8228558557714346872009-11-15T23:31:00.000-08:002009-11-17T15:18:08.332-08:00

Papa said to Mack, “I want to take away one more thing that darkens your heart.” Mack immediately knew what it was and turning his head away from Papa, started boring a hole with his eyes into the ground between his feet…Now there was no holding back as hot tears poured down his face and between sobs Mack cried, Papa, how can I ever forgive that SOB who killed my Missy?” (The Shack, p. 226).In

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-90091697715603497632009-11-10T12:49:00.000-08:002009-11-16T00:11:24.462-08:00

The sight of a massive waterfall is both beautiful and terrifying, majestic and awe-inspiring at the same time. In The Shack, Mack's encounter with God following the tragic murder of his youngest daughter Missy nears its climax when he is permitted to see his children -- all of his children -- and Jesus playing in the middle of them. As he stands within an open cavern, all that separates him from

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-19060195140855722702009-11-01T13:58:00.001-08:002009-11-03T22:17:55.657-08:00

In this spiritually hungry age, interest in the person of Jesus is unmistakable and enduring; at the same time, the popular image of the church that bears his name is less than flattering. I heard one writer sum up the church as “hard pews, unsingable tunes, enforced silence and excruciating boredom.” In Paul Young’s novel, The Shack, Mack is a man whose view of the church is skewed by the memory

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-40507330896660424652009-10-26T20:12:00.000-07:002009-10-29T23:54:09.631-07:00

We’ve all seen it: an umpire makes a controversial call. The managers come out on the field; there’s a lot of yelling and screaming; but in the end, nothing changes. Why? Because the umpire has the best view, and the authority to make the call. Not once have I ever seen an umpire's decision overturned after one of these tirades, have you? Yet, there comes a time when each of us is absolutely

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-42384429598657823242009-10-19T15:53:00.000-07:002009-10-20T18:44:02.490-07:00

One of my favorite memories from boyhood was visiting the Calvin Nursery that my mom’s sisters Pat and Gloria Gardner owned and operated in Malibu under the name of Pat's husband, Joe Calvin. As a boy, I remember my cousin Michael taking my brother and me on wheel barrel rides through acres of tropical plants, flowers, and trees. The nursery occupied three levels, and at the top of the hillside

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-66384308657691589142009-10-13T21:07:00.000-07:002009-10-18T16:40:36.874-07:00

How do you imagine Jesus, his features, or the way he's dressed? In The Shack, author Wm. Paul Young describes him as “Middle Eastern...dressed like a laborer, complete with tool belt and gloves. He stood easily, leaning against the door jamb with arms crossed in front of him, wearing jeans covered in wood dust and a plaid shirt with sleeves rolled above the elbows, revealing well muscled

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-78699688407467819902009-10-05T20:14:00.000-07:002009-10-06T18:00:32.927-07:00

“So what do you think God looks like?” Willie chuckled… Mack grinned at the thought. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s a really bright light, or a burning bush. I’ve always sort of pictured him as a really big grandpa with a long white flowing beard, sort of like Gandalf in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings” (The Shack, p. 75). A. W. Tozer once observed that “What comes into our minds when we think about God

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-1590233505150214982009-09-29T13:37:00.000-07:002009-09-30T11:22:39.046-07:00

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). We spend a lot of time and money trying to avoid pain in order to secure a happy and carefree life. But have you considered the possibility that mourning and sadness might be one of God’s greatest gifts? Today, I want to speak to those of you who are sad and grieving, and are tired of apologizing for it. I also

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-42150112511691318862009-09-16T10:28:00.000-07:002009-09-18T14:16:41.653-07:00

Over the next several weeks, I'll be writing and reflecting on The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young, and the Scriptures that I believe underlie and help to clarify its main ideas. Young has been often asked why he chose something so painful as the premise for his book. Without giving away the plot, his answer was this: “The worst pain asks the best questions.” The Shack acknowledges what Scripture

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-13807426806242037832009-09-08T15:42:00.000-07:002009-09-09T13:03:00.954-07:00

Over the past several weeks, I've been thinking about a few choice words and phrases that we use in the English language which have biblical origins. There are literally thousands, but I have one more...“the labor of love" - a phrase that has come to refer to any act done out of the motivation of lovingkindness. The words come from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians v. 3. "We always give

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-65047775250587611032009-08-30T21:53:00.000-07:002009-09-09T13:04:49.091-07:00

Every few years, a book is written that captures our attention: not just the attention of 'church people' but of those who are spiritually hungry beyond the church walls. The Shack by Wm. Paul Young is such a book. Some Christian leaders are telling their people to avoid this book; while others like Eugene Peterson call it a modern “Pilgrim’s Progress.” I believe this is an important book that

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-49442822326903428402009-08-24T22:29:00.000-07:002009-09-04T13:44:55.102-07:00

Forty years ago three men made history when they achieved the first lunar landing, it was one small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind. When you realize that their boot prints will remain on the moon for a thousand years – they give new meaning to the phrase, “leaving your mark.” They were instant heroes, but the price of that small step was high. It took a toll on their personal lives.

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-45666619277891879912009-08-18T13:32:00.000-07:002009-08-18T15:11:23.724-07:00

"Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15).About 650 BC, Aesop told a story that went like this. "There was once a Wolf who wanted to disguise his appearance in order to secure food more easily. Wearing a discarded sheep skin he pastured with the flock deceiving the shepherd by his costume. In the evening it so happened that he

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-74674260860448228092009-08-11T13:43:00.000-07:002009-08-13T12:35:09.306-07:00

Has being called a “pig” ever been a compliment? I sincerely doubt it; and the fact that the latest influenza outbreak was linked to pigs hasn’t helped their image. About 25 of our Middle School students had a great time at camp this summer but right after they came home (wam!) they all got sick with swine flu. It was passed around as they were sharing a huge 50 scoop Sunday at the camp clubhouse

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-45702223943361456352009-08-02T13:15:00.000-07:002009-08-04T18:50:08.766-07:00

What is the most beautiful thing you have experienced this week? A sunset on the beach; the smell of a rose, or a good meal; something coming together at work, an unexpected opportunity, a loving glance from someone you care about; the squeeze of a child’s hand? Have you ever tasted Paradise? Most of us long to experience Paradise, and may even have tasted it.Last week we visited my brother and

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-41348385378495304882009-07-08T22:18:00.000-07:002009-07-18T22:04:13.815-07:00

How would you define "too busy"? It used to be that people were too busy if they didn’t have time to stop by the house; then it was if they didn’t have time to write, then it was if they didn’t have time to call. What could be easier then sending an email...or updating your Facebook page...and yet there are many who don't have time for that either. Have you tried twitter…it's another social

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-64758375418429082902009-07-06T21:21:00.001-07:002009-07-07T14:16:53.596-07:00

“Even the nations are like a drop from a bucket and are accounted as dust on the scales; see, he takes up the isles like fine dust” (Isaiah 40:15). National pride is a universal experience. The World Cup or the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games is proof enough of that. I love my country as much as anyone; despite our mistakes and shortcomings. Saturday night my family and I were enjoying

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-17181366567221153222009-06-30T23:24:00.000-07:002009-07-01T00:48:38.969-07:00

Last Thursday, two entertainment icons died – Farrah Fawcett was an icon of female beauty, and Michael Jackson an icon of pop music: for both of them, personal change was one of their biggest challenges. Michael Jackson’s extraordinary talent was apparent to all from birth; he was the King of Pop; but his biggest challenge was trying to grow personally even as he was growing in fame publicly; to

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-66677569071108141522009-06-29T13:54:00.000-07:002009-06-29T19:41:40.789-07:00

Is your house in order? In our house, we like to have things basically cleaned up when someone comes to visit; and we usually have our work cut out for us…because things are usually not in order (as much as we may try). There’s stuff strewn all over the floor; the trash needs to be taken out; food needs to be prepared. Then there's that “unfinished business" in the bathroom that needs cleaning

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-33149710321322704182009-06-16T20:11:00.000-07:002009-06-21T23:36:31.160-07:00

Solomon speaks extraordinary wisdom when he warns us that “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Like a lot of lessons we learn, it was born of experience. Solomon knew that for all his accomplishments, it was finally his unwillingness to obey God and his prideful determination to go his own way that led to the tearing of his own kingdom in two (1 Kings 11: 9-11). He

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-75164685293253289332009-05-27T18:07:00.000-07:002009-06-04T11:35:41.847-07:00

There are many songs that could have been inspired by the Book of Ecclesiastes. In addition to "Turn! Turn! Turn!" by the Byrds, there was Kerry Livgren of Kansas who sang, All we are is Dust in the Wind, and the Rolling Stones who shouted, “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction!” The "Teacher" of Ecclesiastes (who tradition says was King Solomon, son of David) has searched out 4 approaches to finding true

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-71204252901944068752009-05-22T14:24:00.000-07:002009-05-24T12:24:45.451-07:00

"It’s more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35). This is a saying we may look for above a kitchen table, nicely cross stitched in a matted frame; but few of us would think of it with the seriousness that Paul used it on the day he departed from Ephesus and said goodbye to friends he had spent three years of his life with. When Paul said this, he wasn’t talking about giving someone a plate

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-50042833506169001462009-05-12T14:49:00.000-07:002009-05-12T20:51:37.052-07:00

The human eye is an amazingly complex organ. The eye, the optic nerve and the visual cortex are separate and distinct subsystems, yet together they capture, deliver and interpret up to 1.5 million pulse messages a milli-second! The eye allows us to see the fiery colors of a sunset or the pinpoints of light in the night sky. We use the word ‘eye’ to talk about perception of many kinds. When our

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-50085857367066164022009-05-05T14:48:00.000-07:002009-05-08T16:33:51.898-07:00

These days, no one wants to be a scapegoat, unfairly blamed for the sins and failures of others. On the other hand, not many would mind having one now and then. I recently did a word search of the word scapegoat on the Los Angeles Times website and got 2040 hits! I was reminded that almost anyone can become a scapegoat, demonized and held responsible for whatever mess we happen to be in. During

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-87969899665062881902009-04-16T17:26:00.000-07:002009-05-05T14:10:55.477-07:00

There has been a lot of speculation as to the reason Susan Boyle's solo performance on the TV show, Britain's Got Talent, has so stunned and inspired audiences around the world. The 47 year old Scottish woman who walked on stage was quite ordinary in appearance. Confessing to the show's producers that she was still a virgin (something you evidently have to apologize for these days) she said, "

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-20794718717780396122009-04-01T14:19:00.001-07:002009-04-08T16:03:41.540-07:00

Speaking of his Passion, Jesus assures his disciples with these now familiar words,"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am,

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-42712204043590738652009-03-29T13:21:00.000-07:002009-03-30T21:14:40.986-07:00

When it comes to theories about the End of the World, books are in abundance. John's Revelation, in particular, has generated hundreds, perhaps thousands, of books and articles which attempt to chart precise timetables for Christ's return, and the relevance of current events in the fulfillment of ancient prophecy.As one example, there is the wildly popular Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-2343284065205385912009-03-11T17:14:00.000-07:002009-03-17T15:12:42.278-07:00

No one wants to be thought of as “judgmental" these days! And yet the Bible seems to emphasize that God is our Judge and that he does pass judgment on sin and evil. But is God's judgment as laid out in Scripture, well, too judgmental? Some say so. Take the book of Revelation which is filled with pictures of God's judgment on the world's sin. That judgment is likened to golden bowls filled with

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-18131479237718190792009-03-03T14:57:00.000-08:002009-03-04T15:51:08.917-08:00

"Then I saw a beast rising out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads; and on its horns were ten diadems, and on its heads were blasphemous names.... let anyone with understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a person. Its number is six hundred and sixty-six" (Revelation 13: 1, 18).In John's Revelation, the power of satan is described with the most vivid and

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-40059158854473997362009-02-28T15:27:00.000-08:002009-02-28T18:14:07.299-08:00

“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever’” (Revelation 11: 15).It was during my seminary days at Princeton that I was first introduced to the ancient custom of blowing the shofar (Hebrew for a trumpet made from the horn of a ram or

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980615399182709695.post-10861406149605707222009-01-28T23:04:00.000-08:002009-03-05T19:53:23.593-08:00

When we think of "disasters of biblical proportion" we don't have to look very far, do we? Earthquakes, world-wide pandemics, global war and conflict, cruel dictators, poverty and economic hardship-- these are not events of the distant past or an unknown future...but a present reality. In Revelation 6: 1-8, John speaks of four symbolic horses and their riders which are visited upon the world:

Steve Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00007496267755543294noreply@blogger.com0