The Daily Memo

Listen The Sirens were three mysterious women who, according to Homer’s Odyssey, lived on an island. Whenever a ship passed by, they would stand on the cliffs and sing. Their beautiful song would tempt sailors closer and closer until eventually they were shipwrecked on the rocks below. Odysseus was curious to hear the Sirens’ song but was well aware of the dangers. He ordered his men to tie him to the mast as they approached the island and then to plug their own…

Listen I was listening to a Bible reading plan on the YouVersion app when I heard Deuteronomy 7:9 in the Good News Translation. “Remember that the Lord your God is the only God and that he is faithful. He will keep his covenant and show his constant love to a thousand generations of those who love him and obey his commands,” I thought to myself, is it possible that Jesus would wait for a thousand generations to come back? How many generations have passed since…

Listen Do you feel special, or does a sense of insignificance hang over you like a cloud? The good news is that every believer is special in the Lord’s eyes, and He’s set you apart for Himself. Since you now belong to Him, you’re not here on this earth to live as you please. You exist to bring glory and honor to Him by becoming more and more like His Son in your character, conduct, and conversation. It’s not a matter of following a list of rules, but…

Listen Some of the most important decisions in life are made at an early age. Should I go to college, head into the workforce, or beg for more time under my parents’ roof? Which college or trade school will I attend? What will be my major or vocation? Then there’s the nebulous question of my life’s calling and purpose. Oh, and who should I marry and when, if ever? I don’t know about you, but I made a few of those decisions without consulting my,…

Listen When we first think of being in a relationship with God, we probably picture him as somewhat flashy, even as many of us tried to be (at least us guys) when we were dating. He gave Jacob visions of angels descending and ascending to heaven; he parted the Red Sea for Moses and made the sun stand still for a day so the Israelites could win a battle. He definitely makes an impression. But you kind of wonder what he’s like when you’re alone with him. Would he…

Listen I betcha haven't heard this word too often. Hypersupernaturalism. One definition might be that God is the direct source of EVERYTHING. Head colds, stubbed toes, rustling leaves, etc. In other words, overstating the order of things. Sorta like driving to the front row at Costco, getting a prime parking spot, and saying to yourself, God gave me that – and the flat tire awaiting my return. There’s a reason, I just know it. It’s important to…

Listen Morgan Snyder asked this question in his book, Becoming a King; What is the Enemy’s plan for your life? It’s an important question for each of us to ask and keep asking. There are daily strategies, cultural strategies, and geographical strategies set up by the Enemy to “steal and kill and destroy” us (John 10:10). And then there are brilliantly and deviously crafted personal strategies that take into account our stories, our woundedness, and…

Listen The internet is a global collection of computers that know how to send messages to one another. Practically everything connected to the internet is indeed a computer – or has one “baked inside” of it. In the early 1960s, computers were used only for special purposes, like scientific research. There weren’t a lot of them because they were large and expensive. One computer and its attached accessories could easily fill a room. To exchange data,…

Listen I’m reminded daily just how fragile life can be. On Wednesday nights, at the church I attend, we have Men’s Study. There’s a group of roughly 8 or 9 guys at our table. We break out several times over the 90 minutes we’re together studying God’s Word for deeper discussion. It’s an inductive Bible Study so we work on a method that includes Reading, Observation, Analysis, Doing, and Sharing (ROADS). Our group of guys have gotten close…