Living Lite Today with Ron Lambros

I had oral surgery earlier this week to alleviate some issues I've endured for far too long. The procedure went well and I was getting ready to leave the surgeon's office when his assistant handed me a sheet of paper with information typed out on both sides. She smiled and told me that once the Novocain wore off, I'd want to read both pages because it contained all the information I needed for after-surgery pain management and care. I read it before I got to the car! True to her word, those instructions saved me from what could have been an extremely painful after-surgery experience, but, by following the directions on those pages, my after-surgery effects were fairly mild and tolerable. You know, God has directions, too and if we follow them, our lives can be rich and full, but, if we don't…well, the outcome might not be as pleasant. On today's podcast, we'll look at, perhaps, the greatest instructions that we ever received, and the eternal consequences that come from either following them or rejecting them.  Stay with me as we talk about: You Must Be Born Again! That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.  

Bridget and I recently moved to the country, where the pace of life is a bit slower, more laid-back, and better suited to our slowing-down-a-bit lifestyle. While our new home was being built, we didn't have cable or satellite service, so we didn't watch as much television as we normally do, which I thought would be difficult, but the opposite was true. While we did make it a priority to watch college football whenever and wherever we could, watching our normal sitcoms, dramas, and the news didn't happen very often…and it turned out to be a huge blessing, especially missing the news. I found that when I didn't watch news programs right before going to bed, I was more relaxed, less keyed-up, and I slept better. After all, the top stories every evening normally dealt with war, political conflict, violence, crime, economic trouble, and pandemics…not exactly the formula for sound sleep. Face it, we live in a world of chaos and instability, and even the most seasoned believer probably finds it difficult to not be hit with worry, doubt, stress, and fear from time to time. But that's not God's desire for anyone. He wants all of us to live worry-free, doubt-free, stress-free, and free from fear, and He even makes a way for us to do it. On today's podcast, we'll look at our daily lives and how we can navigate the waters of uncertainty and turbulence, putting aside everything that causes our minds and hearts to be anxious and afraid. And we're going to discover together why God wants all of us to: Give Peace a Chance. That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

The Olympics have always been fertile ground for Cinderella stories and fairytale endings, and the 1980 Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid, New York, was the epitome of both, as the US Men's Hockey Team, a rag-tag group of college-age kids, came together to do the impossible, defeat the legendary and, considered by most, unbeatable Soviet Hockey Team, by most accounts, the best hockey team in the world. And, like most stories of this kind, there were many different angles to be taken into account. Cold War fears were rampant, making a US vs. Soviet anything all the more intense. The Soviets had trained and played together for years while the US team had only known each other and trained together for 6-months. And, of course, there was the intimidation factor. The Soviets were strong, powerful, a well-oiled machine, while the US team was made up of 20 college kids who knew of the Soviet's prowess. It didn't start out easy for the American team. They weren't really considered a top contender or even on the radar that year. They struggled early, but somehow beat Sweden in their first competition which was a miracle in and of itself. Then, they beat the Czechs, considered to be 2nd best hockey team in the world behind the Soviets. With growing confidence and momentum, they went on to beat Norway, Romania, and West Germany, which then set the showdown with the mighty Soviets, the only team standing in their way of playing for the Gold Medal, something no US hockey team had won in 20 years.   The Americans were considered huge underdogs, but definitely had the admiration and emotional support of most people on their side. It had become a 20th-Century version of David vs. Goliath, and the world was loving it. The electricity in the arena was palpable as the game began. At the end of the first period, the US had held their own and were tied 2-2 with the Soviets, but at the end of the second period, they trailed 3-2. Going into the third and final period, the US team soon tied the score at 3-3, sending the crowd and the watching world into a frenzy. Midway through the final period, Mike Eruzioni, team captain and emotional leader of the team, slipped in strong from the right side and scored. The US team was ahead for the first time in the contest, 4-3. With pucks flying and power-plays from one end of the rink to the other, the US hockey team held off the Soviets. With 10-seconds left in the contest, the countdown began, and at the 05-second mark, ABC sports commentator, Al Michaels, screamed out one of the most iconic quotes in televised Olympic history…”Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!” The US Men's hockey team had done the impossible, the improbable, the downright miraculous! They had beaten the seemingly invincible Soviets and then went on to defeat Finland in the final for the Gold Medal. Now, while events like this might seem to be miraculous to many people, miracles are really nothing new and actually occur every day. In fact, they've been happening since time began. What has changed though, is our perception of what a miracle really is and whether or not we believe in them. Well, stay with me, because that's what I'll be talking about today as we take a good look at what we really believe, and answer the question: Do You Believe in Miracles? That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today!

I don't know many people that don't love Christmas, but I do know a lot of people that hate waiting for Christmas morning, especially children! Bridget will shop for months in advance to find just the right gifts for each one of our grandchildren. She'll carefully wrap each present with fancy bows and ribbons, all while knowing that her months of tender, loving, intentional planning and preparation will be over with a flurry of ripping and shredding in less than 15 minutes at the most. Some will be happy with the new bicycle, while some will be disappointed with the new socks and underwear, but the excitement of the anticipation lingers on. And, you know, I suppose, if we're honest, every one of us can be just like that with God. We've let Him know exactly what we want and what we don't want in our life, we remind Him of the good things we've done and why He should give us what we ask for, and then we wait for Him to answer our prayers the way we asked Him to. After all, we're His child and He promised to give us the desires of our heart, right? But sometimes, we wait, and we wait, and we wait, and our Christmas morning never comes. Our prayers go unanswered, and we're forced to wait on God. That's not fun, is it? No one likes to wait for anything we ask of Him, especially when we feel we really need it or deserve it right then. So, what are we to do in those moments? What are we to do while we wait for God's answer to come? How do we keep it all together spiritually in the meantime? Well, stay with me, because that's what I'll be talking about today as we find out why: It's Worth the Wait! That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today!

Anyone who listens to this podcast very often can quickly tell that I love old television programs, especially The Andy Griffith Show. I've seen every episode multiple times and I drive Bridget absolutely crazy by reciting the lines of the show before the characters say them. To me, it is still one of the best programs ever produced and will never be duplicated. Another one of my favorites was Mission Impossible. Now, to be honest, many people never knew it was an incredibly popular television series long before it became a 4-billion-dollar box office sensation starring Tom Cruise, but it was. It was ahead of its time for broadcast television. It featured drama, intrigue, special effects, scientific ingenuity, covert action and secrecy, and had an all-star cast like Peter Graves, Martin Landau, Sam Elliot, and Leonard Nimoy, just to name a few. Now, the premise of each episode was always the same: A group of undercover agents was sent out to perform a dangerous, seemingly impossible, task. One of the agents was given a case file containing an audio recording that detailed the mission. The tape was then played and always included: Your mission, should you decide to accept it, and would then conclude with the assurance that, as always, should you or any member of your team be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Jim. The tape machine and audio recording then went up in smoke and flames. It made for a great hour of television and proved each week that nothing is impossible.  But life isn't always like that, is it? Sometimes, we're faced with, or asked to do, what seems impossible to us. And we often scratch our heads and wonder how in the world we got ourselves into the situation in the first place, and, more than that, how we're going to get out of it and promise never to get in that situation again. But, what if it's God who's asking you to do it? What if you find yourself face-to-face with God Himself asking you to do something you see absolutely no way of doing, staring straight into the abyss of the mind-blowing impossible? What then? Well, stay with me, because I'll be talking about that today as we ask and answer the question of what to do: When God Asks the Impossible! That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today!

One of the most powerful weapons known to man is not a bomb, not associated with germ or chemical warfare, it's not even a military device; and yet, it has the power to build up or destroy, to encourage or defeat, and to be used for good or evil. The weapon I'm taking about is the power of speech. Down through the ages, people everywhere, from every country, race, color, or creed, have been affected either positively or negatively by its strength, and it continues to affect us all today in one way or another. Great speeches have been known to motivate, encourage, educate, enlighten, and either draw us together or tear us apart. Speeches like Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, Franklin D. Roosevelt's “Fear Speech” to our nation on the verge of war, or Martin Luther King's “I Have a Dream” speech to a country torn by civil and racial unrest…each one inspired, motivated, and challenged the listener to look beyond personal benefit and interest and seek the greater good. But of all the speeches I've ever personally heard that moved me the most was by Jim Valvano, best known for his successful coaching career at North Carolina State University, where his team won the NCAA Division I Men's National Basketball Championship in 1983 against improbable odds over the Houston Cougars. I can still see him running across the basketball court when the buzzer-beating tap-in went in, hair and coattail flying, with his signature grin from ear-to-ear. And I vividly remember him delivering an incredibly moving and inspirational speech 10 years later at the 1993 ESPN ESPY Awards while terminally ill with cancer. He shared many things from his heart that night, but one of the most memorable was when Jim Valvano, lovingly known as Jimmy V., implored the audience to do 3 things every day of their life: laugh, think, and cry. He said if you do those three things, you have truly lived that day. He then went on to announce the formation of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, whose motto would be "Don't give up. Don't ever give up.” Sadly, he delivered his speech less than two months before his death from the bone cancer that he had valiantly fought. It was a speech for the ages and, if you haven't heard it, it's worth Googling and spending a few minutes being inspired to never give up in the face of insurmountable or impossible odds. Simply put, we all need to have hope. And that's what I want to talk about on today's podcast. We need to be reminded that we possess the spiritual power and resources to overcome any hardship, any challenge, and any obstacle that is put in our path, attempting to prevent us from experiencing the abundant life that God wants us to have. Stay with me as we look at God's Word, and even echo the words of Jim Valvano, and learn together to: Never Give Up! That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

America, as we know it, has always been in a constant state of flux, experiencing the ebb-and-flow of continuous change- morally, socially, politically, physically, and economically, and, to a large extent, television has been one of the driving forces behind those changes. Its programming has helped define public opinion of right and wrong, good and bad. From its soap operas, dramas, talk shows, news programs, and even children's cartoons, television has subtly swayed us to think and feel one way or the other and has changed our nation and its culture. Now, I was born in the early fifties. My parents bought our first television set when I was five years old. Two channels with a rabbit-ear antenna. I watched the transition of television from black-and-white to color, and observed, even as a young child, how its programs influenced so much of our society. One program I distinctly remember that personified television and its impact on our culture was Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, an American comedy program that ran for over 5 seasons on the NBC television network and quickly became the most popular television show in the United States. The show was characterized by a rapid-fire series of gags and sketches, many of which were politically charged or contained sexual innuendo, definitely the exception for television programs in that day. It consistently pushed the envelope of decency and morality. But it became hugely popular, big enough to even attract a guest appearance by President Richard Nixon. It also created numerous catchphrases that soon became part of our everyday vocabulary, across all generations of Americans. Phrases like: § "Look that up in your Funk and Wagnall's Dictionary! § "You bet your sweet bippy!" § "Sock it to me!" and, § "Here come da Judge!" Let's just say, it was culturally influential and worthy of network censorship on every level. Now, one character sketch that always stood out to me on the show featured comedian Flip Wilson as the character Geraldine. I don't remember all the skits he was in, but one thing became his trademark. Any time he was challenged for making a mistake, blunder, or no-no, he'd use his signature excuse: “The devil made me do it!” And, you know what? A lot of us are just like Flip Wilson, aren't we? I think all of us from time to time blame the sins, the blunders, and the mistakes we make on Satan, not ourselves, and, to a large measure, we're right. Satan's temptations and insidious ways of manipulating our thinking and actions could make us feel that way. But is Satan entirely to blame, or do we need to hold ourselves accountable for them, as well? What can we do to change or are we destined to continue our sinful ways? Well, stay with me, because that's what we'll discover together about the topic: The Devil Made Me Do It! That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.  

I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to slip away and play a round of golf with some good friends. We're rarely able to all get together because of our crazy schedules, but it worked out one Tuesday morning and we met at the course for a day of, well, entertainment more than anything else. Aside from being good friends, we always enjoy playing together because we're all admittedly lousy golfers, so none of us feels pressured to compete or embarrassed by our bad play. Now, I have to be honest. When you're a lousy golfer, the first tee is always intimidating. There are usually people waiting their turn to tee off behind you, so everyone watches you drive the ball. I think I've prayed for a good drive off the first tee a thousand times in my life. Most of the time, it doesn't work. Maybe it's God's way of keeping me humble. But another reason I enjoy playing with this group of friends is that we all agree that a mulligan is allowed on the first tee. That's a do-over, a free pass, to hit another drive if your first drive stinks. Now, that takes the pressure off, because you always get another chance to redeem your dignity and start your round off in a good, positive way. Believe me, that makes a huge difference in how the rest of the day goes! You know, I think we all could use a fresh start from time-to-time…a clean slate, allowing us to begin again and make things positive right from the get-go. And there's no better time than right now to do just that. But how do we do it? How can we make sure we get off to a good start today or this year? Well, we'll look at God's Word and God's plan to make sure we can have: A Fresh Start for a New Year. That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

One of the wisest and most often-quoted philosophers of our time was Lawrence Peter Berra. You probably know him better as Yogi, Yogi Berra, the beloved and revered catcher for the New York Yankees and one-time manager of the New York Mets. Along with his baseball prowess, he was known for his Yogi-isms, whimsical statements that had most people scratching their heads because they knew what he meant to say, but failed to say it the way he thought he did. Here are some of his finest: "The future ain't what it used to be." "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded." "You should always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't come to yours." "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." And, “I never said most of the things I said.” But of all the Yogi-isms ever uttered, one stood head and shoulders above the rest…”It ain't over ‘til it's over.” Now, there's some debate whether he actually uttered those words, but he's credited with making this statement that's still quoted and used in our culture today…even the Culture of Christianity. Many people today, including believers, are anxious, worried, and afraid from the moment they wake up until they put their heads on a pillow at night. They worry about the future, death, crime, the economy, their health, pandemics, gas prices, groceries that are scarce or too expensive to buy, and, when life as we know it will come to an end. Well, we all might want to find courage and hope in that oft-quoted Yogi-ism. Stay with me, as I share how to tackle your fear by knowing that: It Ain't Over ‘Til It's Over!” That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.  

I went to college with the intention of majoring in Journalism. I was the Sports Editor of my high school newspaper and developed a love for writing that I still have to this day. Well, God had other plans for my life and I went into radio and television broadcasting and management instead, but I learned a great deal about story composition and the art of interviewing before switching majors. One thing I learned was there are 5 basic components to every story. They're called the “5 ‘Ws' of Journalism”: who, what, where, when, and why. Some people will throw in how if the story calls for it, but if you have those 5 Ws, you can write a story or conduct a great interview. I remember one class assignment I had that I was really looking forward to. I had the opportunity to interview an outstanding athlete who was attempting to qualify for the US Olympic Team. I did my homework and researched everything I could about him, his background leading him up to this opportunity, and even about the Olympics qualification process itself. Well, the time came for the interview. I had a good pen, a new notepad, my research to guide me, and had all my questions well-rehearsed. My subject walked into the office, made himself comfortable, and, after some small talk, we began. The interview was going extremely well. I was getting his story from multiple perspectives and knew this was going to be front-page material. As I continued, I remember asking him a fairly generic, straight-forward question: “What would it mean for you to qualify for the Olympic team?” I remember very vividly that he paused, looked straight at me with a deep, contemplative expression, and said, “Well, I suppose it all depends on who's asking. It would mean different things to different people.” I'll never forget his answer because it taught me so much about journalism…and life. It taught me that the questions we ask and the answers we seek are not always the most important thing. Who is asking the questions is just as critical, and will greatly influence the importance of how that question is answered and why it's answered in the way it is. Jesus knew this, and on today's podcast, we're going to look at one of the most important questions He asked His disciples in the entire Bible, and we're going to study how they answered it and how that question and answer still affects each of us centuries later. Stay with me, as we look at: Who's Asking? That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

The year 1981 was one of the most newsworthy time periods in recent history. A lot of great events happened that year, not the least of which was the birth of my daughter, Katie, in Houston, Texas. Now, all personal events aside, here are some things that either impacted or entertained all of us that happened that year…and, just a word of warning, these might make you feel just a little bit old. In 1981: Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th President of the United States. Two months later, an unsuccessful assassination attempt was made on his life in Washington, DC; The Space Shuttle Columbia made its inaugural flight; Lady Diana Spencer married Charles, Prince of Wales, to the pomp and glory of all of England and a world-wide television viewing audience in the multiplied millions; Sandra Day O'Conner became the first female justice to serve on the United States Supreme Court; CBS news anchor, Walter Cronkite, signed off for the last time; In 1981, Nintendo introduced Donkey Kong and Mario to the gaming world; “Dallas” topped the television charts, and the faith-based film, “Chariots of Fire,” won the Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year; Major League Baseball went on strike; IBM introduced its first personal computer; and “The Smurfs” aired for the first time in North America. 1981 was, indeed, a memorable year. It was also the year that the incredibly popular board game, Trivial Pursuit, was introduced to the world. Millions have enjoyed its entertainment and intellectual challenges and, if you're really good at it, you probably already knew some, if not all, of the events that occurred in 1981 that I just mentioned. And since then, America has been obsessed with trivia. The game continues to be tremendously popular, special themed editions of it have been released, and even game shows have taken advantage of trivia's popularity to garner some of the highest ratings in television history. But, why all the hype? Why are so many people infatuated with trivia, when, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, trivia is defined as those things whose substance is of little worth or importance? People are pursuing the knowledge of unimportant things or chasing after information in their life that have little or no benefit; in fact, many of them can be harmful or detrimental to their quality of life. And it seems that the pursuit of trivial things has crept into the lives of many believers today. While the Bible is crystal clear about what our priorities should be, many people are pursuing things that are either contrary to God's word or can only be described as willful and intentional disobedience, defiance, and sin. Well, what are these pursuits and what harm can they bring into our lives when we make them our quest instead of pursuing God's desire and God's will for our life? Stay with me, as we look at and consider, Trivial Pursuits, on this episode of Living Lite Today.

  I grew up in a neighborhood where everybody knew everybody, and genuinely cared about each other. We knew every tree that was good for climbing, every shortcut, every yard that had a fence, every bike trail and hill, every dog that would bite, and who gave out bubble gum instead of apples at Halloween. It was also special because of the people who lived there. We knew who had kids our age, who didn't like kids our age, and who wouldn't mind when we'd sneak a drink of water out of their garden hose on a hot summer day. It was a great place to grow up. Our neighbors on either side of my home were special friends. One was an older gentleman who restored antiques. He taught me a lot about woodworking, tools, and craftmanship. On the other side was a family whose father worked for an automotive parts distributor. I remember, he always bought a new car every year and was on the road Monday through Thursday, usually getting home late that evening. Sometimes I'd see him and ask him if he ever got tired of driving so much and being away. He'd always smile and give me his pat answer, “I never have, and I never will.” Then he'd rub me on the head and go inside. I've often thought about his statement and wonder if he ever DID grow weary and tired of the travel and loneliness of the road. Like they say, “Never say, ‘Never.'” Well, on today's podcast, we'll look at God and His power and promises that make that statement true and without any doubt. Stay with me, as we hear God tell each of us: I Never Have, and I Never Will! That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.  

When I was in school, my favorite subject was mathematics. I absolutely loved algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. I guess I was just one of those weird kids that loved numbers and what you could do with them. To be honest with you, I suppose the reason I loved math so much was the fact that it had a definitive answer to every problem presented. Only one answer was correct and yours was either right or wrong…that's it…it left no room for interpretation, analysis, discussion, or a professor's mood swings, like essay tests in English Literature. There were absolutely no gray areas, period! Well, if you live the Christian life very long, you soon learn that, sometimes, there seem to be gray areas when it comes to deciding what's right or wrong, good or bad…in other words, what is sin and what isn't. Now, there are some things that leave absolutely no doubt. In fact, there are 10 of them. They're called the 10 Commandments. When God says, “Thou shalt not,” well, thou shalt not. But what about the things that don't make the Top 10, that aren't chiseled in stone, but are close enough to make us pause and think…is this a sin or isn't it? After all, God's word tells us to abstain from even the appearance of sin! Well, that's what I'll be dealing with on today's podcast. Well take a look at the gray areas of right and wrong and learn what to do: When It's Not Black-and-White. Stay with me, because that's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

In the late 1800s, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was a modest, yet thriving community, located in the western part of the state. 14 miles away was the South Fork Hunting & Fishing Club, an exclusive group whose members included Andrew Carnegie, Henry Frick, and Andrew Mellon. In 1879, the club restored an abandoned earthen dam and created Lake Conemaugh, which was used for sailing and boating, and which the members stocked with expensive game fish for sport. Some people in Johnstown feared the dam wasn't safe. Daniel Morrell, one of Johnstown's most prominent civic leaders even had the dam inspected, and wrote to the club pointing out major flaws that were discovered, but his concerns were ignored. In May, 1889, there were several days of extraordinarily heavy rains. By May 31, management at the club realized the dam was in danger of giving way, but there was little they could do. Warnings were sent to Johnstown that the dam might collapse, but after years of false alarms, the messages weren't taken seriously. The water began to top the dam, and eventually, it gave way. The water rushed down the valley, sweeping trees, rail cars, and entire houses in its path. By the time the 20 million tons of water reached Johnstown, it was carrying even more debris. The mass hit the city, flattening everything in its path, until it was stopped by an immense stone bridge at the far end of the town. The stone bridge held but created a disaster of its own. It acted like another dam, causing the water to back up and flood the city. Then the entire mass of debris caught fire. In the end, more than 2,200 people died in the Johnstown flood. Damage estimates were a conservative $17 million dollars, which equates to more than a half-billion dollars by today's standard. It is still regarded as the worst dam collapse in U. S. history. You know, life can be a lot like that dam. Sometimes, the stresses and events of our lives build up incredible pressure, and even though we feel capable of handling them, we soon find we're not prepared for their onslaught, and they overwhelm us with their strength and power. Other times, the actions of others or the circumstances and situations we're forced to face are not of our own choosing or fault, but they prove to be devasting and tragic just the same. So, what do we do in moments like that? What do we do when life is going along smoothly and, then, out of nowhere, we're overcome by events that shake us to our core and even challenge our faith? Well, stay with me, because that's what I'll be talking about on this podcast. We'll look at God's Word and discover His plan and promises to help us know what to do: When All Hell Breaks Loose. That's coming up on today's episode of Living Lite Today.

If you visit any toy store in your local mall today, you'll find an endless variety of games to play. Some of them are timeless classics like Monopoly, Parcheesi, Sorry, Yahtzee, and Uno. Others are newer, but no less popular. And games are making a comeback. Record sales are being reported and game manufacturers are saying Family Game Night is a new trend in our culture, perhaps motivated by the isolation of COVID quarantining. Now, when I was a kid, we played a lot of games, too, but most of them were outside and they didn't cost a dime. Games like Run-Sheep-Run, I Spy, Tag, and Mother-May-I? We'd entertain ourselves for hours with the joy and innocence of simple games played with our friends. To be honest, I probably wouldn't play most of these games today. Let's just say they're for a younger crowd. But I do enjoy some games. I'm just careful what games I choose to play and who I play them with. Like, I definitely wouldn't play Trivial Pursuit with Ken Jennings! Now, whether they realize it or not, many people are playing games with God every day. They live their life just like it's some sort of fun activity, with no consequence for their bad choices or ultimate penalty for breaking the rules. They play the game the way they want to play it, smugly thinking that the dice and cards are always stacked in their favor, and nothing can stand in their way to victory. Well, that's what I'll be talking about on this podcast. I'll be addressing the topic of people and the games they play as I look at: Playing Hide-and-Seek with God. Stay with me, because that's coming up on today's episode of Living Lite Today.

Bridget and I have 6 grandchildren who we, simply, adore. I've said on numerous occasions that grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your kids when they were teenagers…and I agree. They're a huge blessing and bring so much joy to our lives every day!  Now, one of the things I marvel at about them is their innocent inquisitiveness, about life, nature, God…just about anything and everything. You talk about any subject, and they'll have a dozen questions about it.  The other night during bedtime prayers, we were talking about Heaven and the questions began: What is Heaven really like? If a person has a tattoo now, will they have it in Heaven? and, Exactly, where is God? I have to admit that their questions often make me study my Bible a little bit harder. You just never know what they're going to ask!  After I kissed them goodnight and tucked them in their beds, I went downstairs, sat down in my easy chair, and started thinking about the questions they asked, especially, “Exactly, where is God?” Innocent enough, but deep in its implications.  Well, exactly, where is God? We're taught that He's always with us, He's everywhere. He's in Heaven, He's in all places at the same time…there's nowhere that He's not there…in good times and bad! But though we know this to be true, do we always believe it, or do we allow the circumstances in our life to blind us to the truths and promises of God? It's easy to believe God is with us when things are going smoothly and the way we think they should. But what about those times when they're not, those times when we struggle to know God is with us, when we experience His silence or feel like He's a million miles away? Times when we feel like He's abandoned us, leaving us to handle our difficult situation in our own strength and power, any way we can.  Well, that's what I'll be talking about on my podcast today. I'll be asking and answering a question that man has asked since time began: Where is God When I Need Him the Most? Stay with me because that's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

Movies have been a part of our lives since the late 1800s. Historians will debate the difference between a motion picture and a full-length movie, the exact date they were produced, and whether they were even worthy of consideration of either title.  All that aside, there are some films that are considered timeless classics, that transcend age and time itself, and are just as poignant and relevant today as the day they were made…movies like Gone with the Wind, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, and The Sound of Music, just to name a few. I'm sure you're thinking of a few of your own choices right now. Well, during my Senior Year of high school, the movie, Love Story, hit the big screen, touching the hearts of every dating couple during that time. It starred Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal, and was often compared to a modern-day version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, with its inclusion of ultimate devotion, love, sacrifice, and the death of a lover. I seriously doubt that Love Story will ever be considered a timeless classic to most movie experts, but the phrase from the movie, “Love means never having to say you're sorry,” will be forever remembered for the tears and sadness it created on all who watched the film. Now, while it may have been a catchy phrase in its day, it's just not true or realistic. Love does mean having to say you're sorry, along with, I was wrong, forgive me, you're right, you're important, I care what you think, I respect you, and so much more. And love, real love, a godly love, should be freely given with no conditions, restrictions, or limitations to everyone at all times because that's the way God intended. So why would God want it that way? Why would God ask us to do something that is often difficult or far more than we can humanly do? What are the benefits, and how could it change our world? Well, that's what I'll be talking about on my podcast today. We're going to look at God's Word, listen to His heart, and discover together: Why We Should Love One Another. Stay with me, because that's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

One of the most popular cable television series ever produced has been The Walking Dead. The series features a group of survivors of a zombie apocalypse or takeover, who are trying to stay alive under the constant and unrelenting threat of attacks from zombies. Interestingly, the series was produced a little more that 50 miles from my front door, in the small Georgia town of Senoia. Now, even though I've never seen a single episode, there are thousands of people around the globe who are huge fans of the series and can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about zombies and zombie life. The only thing I know about them is that they appear to be neither living nor dead, but exist, somehow, between both states of being. I suppose zombies are one of the few things that can exist like that. For almost everything else, you're either one or the other, living or dead, with no in-between. And one of those things is your faith, because your faith is either a living faith or a dead faith, and, depending on what kind of faith you have, determines whether it's effective and usable to God and His work, or is useless and of little value in His kingdom.  On today's podcast, I'm going to be looking at your faith and my faith and help each of us answer a critically important question: Is Your Faith Living or Dead? Stay with me because that's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a creature of habit. I like things to, basically, stay the same…maintain the status quo…be predictable. I suppose that's why I've seen the same hairstylist for over 25 years. Teresa is great. She knows how I like my hair cut without me telling her, and she always does it with a smile, a great personality, and a positive attitude. She makes something as simple as getting my hair cut a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, not all stylists are like that. In fact, they're far from it. I heard about one barber in a small town that was known for his arrogant, negative attitude. When one of his regular customers came in and mentioned that he'd be going to Rome in a few days and that he hoped to meet the Pope, the barber's response was typical. "You…meet the Pope? Ha, don't make me laugh! The Pope only meets with kings and queens, presidents, heads of state, and other dignitaries. Why would he want to meet you?" Well, a month later, the same man returned for another haircut. "How was Rome?," the barber asked. "Great! I saw the Pope." "Yeah, from St. Peter's Square like the rest of the crowd, I suppose." "Well, yes, but then two guards came up and demanded that the Pope wanted to see me personally. They even took me to his private apartment in the Vatican." "Really…what did the Pope say?" "Well, the first thing he asked was who gave me that lousy haircut?" Now, as humorous as that story might be, there's an element of truth reflected here. Bad attitudes can change the way people respond to you, and can, actually, affect your life in a negative way, causing you to see the world and other people through jaded eyes. Well, on today's podcast, we're going to examine our attitude and find out if it helps us or hurts us. Does it allow us to see the world and people as God wants us to? Stay with me, as I address the formula: Change Your Attitude, Change Your Life. That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

Ever since the first commercials aired on radio and television, many of their product slogans have become part of our everyday life. Even today, most people can identify a product or company just by hearing them. Let me give you an example: if you were to hear, “Just do it!,” most of you would probably recognize that as Nike. And slogans have been with us for generations and continue to be part of our culture. Slogans like: Where's the beef?; Melts in your mouth, not in your hand; It's the real thing; When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight; Don't leave home without it; and, It's finger-lickin' good, all take our minds immediately to a product or company. That's the power of an effective brand. One of the most well-known slogans ever created was for the Cunard (Kyoonard) Transatlantic Shipping Line. Chances are, you've never heard of them, but, in the 1950s, they owned the largest fleet of ships on the Atlantic, including the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary. When jet airliners began to cross the Atlantic, the shipping company needed to tell people about the advantages and perks of traveling, instead, by ship. They soon came up with the corporate slogan, “Getting There is Half the Fun!,” which many people remember to this day, over 60 years later. Now, while this slogan may have been effective for The Cunard Line, it doesn't work for any parent who has every taken a car full of young children on vacation. Getting there is definitely NOT half the fun. Boredom and impatience doesn't take long to percolate from the backseat, and it isn't long before you hear the inevitable wail, “How much longer? Are we there yet?” And, you know, as we live out our Christian life in a hostile culture, we often get frustrated, impatient, and weary, too, and we're bound to ask God what children on road trips and trying journeys have asked for decades: Daddy, Are We There Yet? Well, stay tuned for some words of encouragement as we travel this road together. That's coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

I had a Zoom call with a representative of a major software development company today. With the pandemic and wanting to be cautious, Zoom calls are becoming commonplace in my everyday ministry schedule, and this was one of many I've had over the past year. The sales rep made a tremendous presentation. He did a superb job of showing me all the bells-and-whistles his company's product had and told me how it would help improve my workflow and time management. He told me what was wrong with the software I was currently using and how his software could take care of each and every one of them, without exception, and give me, and I quote, “more bang for the buck,” and told me that I would be smart to sign up immediately and be foolish if I didn't. I have to admit that I was impressed by all he showed me about his product, and he almost convinced me to sign on the dotted line. The only problem was, the one thing he failed to show me, the one thing he lacked in his entire hour-long presentation that I really wanted to see more than anything, was passion…a passion for, and belief in, what he was trying to sell me. Well, needless to say, he didn't make the sale. After all, if he doesn't have a passion and belief in what he's selling, why should I? When our meeting was over, I began to think that maybe that's why so many of us are ineffective as we share our faith with others. People always want and need to see our passion and a belief in what we're sharing with them! When they don't, it's highly unlikely that they'll believe what we're sharing or want what we have. Today, I'll be addressing one of the things that, sometimes, makes even the most seasoned believer uncomfortable, but is one of the things we're commanded by God to do. Stay with me as we discover together the hows and whys of Bringing Your Friends and Family to Jesus, on this episode of Living Lite Today.

Bridget and I have 6 grandchildren who are the pride and joy of our hearts. Caroline, Cooper, Kennedy, Lilly, Brig, and Maddie are all so unique and very special in their own way, with their individual gifts, talents, personalities, and way of looking at the world. As the Bible teaches us, they are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” and are very, very special to their Beep and YoYo. Now, as much as we love our children and grandchildren, that love cannot begin to compare to the love that God has for each of them. Even at its absolute best, our love is imperfect and has flaws and issues that taint its purity and quality. But God’s love doesn’t. God’s love is perfect, unconditional, never failing, and is simply too wonderful for our finite, human minds to fully grasp or comprehend. And He loves each and every one of us equally. He doesn’t show partiality or favor. If you’re living and breathing and listening to this podcast today, God loves you the same as He loves anyone else, no more and no less...and He never will. Remember that God created you, He loves you, He has a perfect plan and purpose for your life, He wants nothing more than the very best for you…and nothing you can ever say or do will change His mind. Now, you might be thinking, “Why me? Why would a righteous and Holy God feel like that about me? What did I do to deserve that kind of love and attention from Him?” Well, that’s what I want to talk about on today’s podcast. We’re going to look at God and the way He looks at us, and we’re going to discover an amazing fact. And that’s the fact that not only does He love you, but God Thinks You’re Special, on this episode of Living Lite Today.

I’ve learned a lot of things in my 42 years of marriage to Bridget. Some of these lessons were learned the hard way, and some the easy way, but they were learned just the same, and have helped make our marriage what it is today. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that little things count. I don’t think any of us purposefully or intentionally fail to take care of the “BIG” things in our marriages…things like maintaining unquestioned fidelity, always being honest and truthful with our mate, or making sure that the lines of communication remain open at all times. But it’s the little things that we often overlook that prove to be a source of irritation and conflict in our relationship…small things like forgetting to take out the garbage, not emptying the dishwasher, or not tossing our dirty clothes in the hamper instead of in the corner on the floor. Big issues are important, but the little things count as well. And you know what? It’s like that in our Christian life, as well. So many times, we concentrate on the big issues of serving and honoring God, but we overlook the little things, the small things, that we, sometimes, allow to creep into our lives and undermine our effectiveness as a believer. Well, that’s what I want us to talk about today, so stay tuned as I address the topic: It’s the Little Things That Count, on this episode of Living Lite Today.

I was having my car serviced a couple of weeks ago. My service advisor told me it would take about an hour and that I could relax in the service department waiting room until my car was ready. I’d find fresh coffee and cookies there, so I went in and got a comfortable seat among the dozen or so other people who were also waiting for their cars and looked for a way to kill some time. There was a large wall directly across from me with a massive television blaring the local news, along with a large collection of photographs of all the new makes and models being produced by the automaker. Well, right in the middle of all this clutter was a small, framed poster that looked out of place in a service department. I slowly read what was printed: People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Now, I had to read that again: People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Simple. Direct. Profound. I had just found great wisdom and insight in the service department of my car dealership. It’s true that people do come and go in our life. The older I get, the more I realize and appreciate those who’ve stuck around, who continue to pour joy and happiness and value into my life and make me a better person for them being there. I call these people my friends. You know, friends are true gifts from God and do far more than just make us laugh, smile, or converse with over a cup of coffee. They bring support, strength, and success to our lives, and, in many cases, are the reason we are who we are today. Well, on today’s podcast, I’ll be looking at what God and His word have to say about these very special people, and I invite you to join me as, together, we discover The Power of True Friendship, on this episode of Living Lite Today.

Life can be full of twists and turns, with unexpected obstacles and situations popping up around us every day. Paths that were supposed to be straight end up having curves or become dead-ends, or the directions we’ve been given take us miles off course from our destination. Or even worse, we come to an unexpected fork in the road and we’re frozen in fear by having to decide which direction we should follow, afraid to make the wrong choice. Life doesn’t come with a built-in GPS…but it does come with a Shepherd, and He has a perfect plan, purpose, and course for us to follow to end up in the place He has picked out for us to be, if we listen and follow Him. But we don’t always do that, do we? We don’t always follow that plan, and we often get off-course, bogged down with our own personal plans and selfish desires. And we get stuck and don’t know where to turn or what to do. Well, stay tuned, as we look at God’s Word and find out what we should do when we find ourselves in the throes of uncertainty and indecision, and discover together: What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do, on this podcast.

I went to see my cardiologist a few days ago. I have AFib and I get checked annually to make sure my heart is okay. The technician checked my pulse, my blood pressure, did an EKG, and asked a litany of questions about my prescriptions, my lifestyle, and my overall health. She got all the paperwork together for the doctor, grabbed her equipment, and left me alone in the exam room. It wasn’t long before my doctor came in with his signature smile and greeting, “How you doin', preacher?” He looked at all the paperwork and charts, gave me a pat on the knee and said, “Looin’ good! How ya feeling?” We chatted for a good little while and then he said he wanted to see me in 6-months, not my usual year between exams. I asked him about it and he said it was because I had a couple of days when my AFib flared up and he just wanted to be sure my heart was doing what it’s supposed to. Then he smiled and said, “See you in 6-months!” and left the room. As I dressed to leave, I couldn’t help but think that I thought my exam was going to be routine, the cardio team would do their thing, then I’d come back in a year just like I always do. The problem was, while I felt okay and everything seemed normal on the outside, my heart wasn’t as healthy as I thought and needed to be checked out sooner than later. And you know what? It’s like that in our Christian life sometimes, isn’t it? By all accounts and appearances, we’re doing fine…we’re living good, clean, moral lives, but on the inside, our heart really isn’t where it needs to be, and it has to be examined and restored to a healthy relationship with God. Stay tuned, as we go the Great Physician, because It’s Time for a Heart Check, on this podcast.

A little boy was asked by his mother what he learned in Sunday School. He said, “It was amazing, Mom. Our teacher taught us how God sent Moses on a rescue mission behind enemy lines to get the Israelites out of Egypt. When they got to the Red Sea, Moses got his army to build a bridge across it, and everyone got to the other side safely. Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcements, and they sent fighter jets to blow up the bridge so that the Egyptian army couldn’t catch them.” His mother looked at him and said, “Seriously? Are you sure that’s what your teacher taught you?” “Well, not really,” the little boy replied, “but if I told you what she said happened, you’d never believe it!” Now, we can all laugh at this story and find it humorous, but the fact of the matter is, we all hear things that, to us, sometimes seem too good to be true, and no matter how hard we try, we all battle our own doubt and disbelief. Well, what should we do when this happens? What should we do when our doubt causes us to even question our salvation and personal relationship with God? Well, know this, God wants to erase that doubt, and for you to be certain of your eternal security. Stay with us, as I address one of the biggest needs in the life of every believer, and I talk about how you can know that you know, that you know, with No Doubt About It, on this podcast.

My father was one of the wisest men I have ever known, not because he was my father or my hero in life, but because it was true. Russell Lambros was a wise man who shared much of his wisdom with me throughout his life. When he passed away in June of 2015, he took 98 years of wisdom and knowledge with him and I miss him terribly. Now, much of the wisdom my father shared with me often came as brief quotes, thoughts, or sayings…some were his own, and many borrowed from others…but they were always on-point, deep, and rich with sound instruction, guidance, and advice. He’d say things like, “Ron, don’t let a moment of foolishness ruin your life forever,” or, “Son, if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything,” or, one of my all-time favorites, “The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.” I always liked that one, because along with his wisdom and insight, my father taught me the importance of standing for something, whether it was a cause, a personal conviction, a belief, or a person. And he taught me that, when I took a stand, I needed to give 100% of myself to it. That’s the only way it would work. Sadly, many people today take a stand for all the wrong things in life, either through ignorance or apathy, and our world and its culture are suffering for it. So, what can we do to change that? What can we do to make sure that we’re taking a stand for those things that really matter, those things that will make the world a better place for us today and for the generations to come? Well, stay tuned, because that’s what I’ll be talking about as I challenge each of us to have personal courage and conviction in the face of great opposition, and about the incredible importance of Standing Your Ground, on this podcast.

I bought a new planning calendar when the New Year began and it’s a nice one. It has a simple layout and design, big margins and plenty of room to make notes and reminders to myself, and it even has a list of all the special holidays and observations recognized throughout the year. Now, all the major ones were listed and really came as no surprise, but when I got to April 30th, I had to do a double-take, because it showed that April 30th is designated as Honesty Day, and is observed to celebrate and encourage honesty and straightforward communication in politics, relationships, consumer relations, and historical education. As funny as I found it being observed AFTER income taxes are filed, I seriously questioned why we needed to set a day aside to observe and encourage honesty in the first place. After all, shouldn’t that be something we do every day of the year? The truth of the matter is, people are not always honest and they don’t always do the right thing. It seems like more and more people today are looking out for Number 1, often at the heavy cost of their personal integrity and reputation. So, why should we make it a priority to always be honest and forthright in our actions, words, and deeds, guarding our hearts and reputation from being blemished by questionable character and tarnished integrity? Stay with me, as I take an honest look at Doing the Right Thing in a Wrong Thing World, on this podcast.

One of the best jobs I ever had as a young man was working the weekend shift as a disc jockey on an oldies station, playing the music of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. They just don’t make music like that anymore. Now, I used to take requests for certain songs and distinctly remember that one of the most popular was The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel. It still remains as one of the most well-known and best-loved songs of that music genre and time period. Now, silence can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on who you ask. But when it seems like God is silent, distant, and far away, it can be disconcerting and unnerving to anyone. So what do we do in times like these and how do we deal with that Heavenly quiet when it comes? Stay tuned, as I take an honest look at The Silence of God on this podcast.

Growing up in Florida, 20 minutes from the beach, I had a natural interest and curiosity about sharks, and ever since Steven Spielberg brought “JAWS” to the big screen, the world has also been fascinated…if not terrified of them as well, often for all the wrong reasons. I think, in many cases, sharks have gotten a bad rap. Now, many people don’t know this, but sharks are affected by their environment. You take a baby tiger shark and place it in an average size aquarium, and that shark will only grow to comfortably fit within the confines of its living quarters. But, if you take that same baby tiger shark and set it free in the ocean, it will grow to be 10-16 feet in length, and weigh in excess of half a ton. In many ways, we are also affected our environment. If we live our lives within the confines of our own plans and our own desires, we can be stunted in our spiritual growth and effectiveness; BUT, if we find and do the will of God for our lives, our lives will reach their fullest potential. So how do we do that? How do we find God’s perfect will for our life? Well, more than you want to know it, God wants you to know it. Join me as I share a simple and practical plan for Finding the Will of God for Your Life on this podcast.

As a young boy, Thomas Edison’s teacher’s told him that he was "too stupid to learn anything,” and he didn’t have much more success in the workplace, either, as he was fired from his first two jobs for being unproductive. As an inventor, some reports claim that Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. Fortunately, attempt number 1,001 was a success and the rest, as they say, is history. But Thomas Edison wasn’t alone. Other well-known names began as slow students, mediocre employees, or less than stellar individuals, with little or no hope of achieving anything with their lives by the world’s standards…names like Gates, Einstein, Winfrey, Spielberg, Jobs, and Disney, just to name a few. But we all know that that wasn’t the end of the story, that these people, and others just like them, went on to change the world in their own way. Well, the Bible is also full of the names of plain, ordinary people, individuals that were often perceived as useless or under-achievers, until God stepped in and did the impossible with their lives. And He still does that today! Stay with us, as we discover together how God Can Use the Ordinary to Do the Extraordinary, on this podcast.

I was in a popular sub shop here in Atlanta recently and was waiting my turn to get a sandwich. The woman in line in front of me ordered a Philly Cheesesteak sub with double meat and double cheese, extra mayo, two bags of chips, and a brownie. When the young man behind the counter asked what she would like to drink, she said, “Oh, goodness, Diet Coke, please. I’m making healthy choices these days.” Now, I had to laugh a little under my breath, but we all make choices in our life every day. In fact, every moment of the day, we’re making choices, processing information that our brains take in and then act on. This affects the way we think, feel, see, hear, speak…every sense that we have is acted on by the input we receive and how we react to that input. That’s called making a choice. Some are good and some are bad, but every choice we make has a direct impact on our life. Well, today, I’ll be sharing God’s principles and God’s truths concerning the choices we make in our life and explain how they can either have a positive or negative influence on our life. Tune in, as we discover together how Your Choices Will Change Your Life, on this podcast.

It’s always good to learn all you can about everything you can, and that includes people. I’ve made it a point to study the life and works of some of the world’s greatest philosophers, scholars, and deep-thinkers; names like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Nietzsche, and Einstein, just to name a few. But when it comes to depth of wisdom, insight, and knowledge, one name rises above all the rest…Charlie Brown. In his simple and unabashed way, he consistently provides a level of thought that very few people can match. I saw a cartoon of Charlie Brown recently that more than drove home this point. Charlie Brown is at the beach and has built a beautiful sandcastle, working on it for hours. Its intricate design and architecture were unmatched by any others on the beach that day. Well, just as he stands back to appreciate his creation, a large wave comes in and completely destroys his magnificent work. Now, he’s standing where his beautiful masterpiece had been, he pauses, and solemnly thinks to himself, "I know there’s a lesson in this, but I’m not sure what that lesson is.” One thing every one of us has in common with Charlie Brown is that we have all had storms, trials, and problems arise, often washing in and completely destroying the sandcastles of our lives. So, what do we do when problems come, how can we overcome them, and what are the lessons that we can learn when they do come? Well, God has a lot to say about it, and that’s what I’ll be dealing with today as we learn together about Overcoming Problems in Your Life, on this podcast.

The ability to repair things that are broken is an enviable craft. Whether it’s an appliance, computer, automobile, or even something as simple as a table lamp, having the insight to identify a problem and fix it like new is a gift I wish I had more of. But some things are much harder to repair than others, like fractured relationships. When you factor in individual feelings, personalities, and the depth of emotional trauma or resentment…the human element…it’s not as simple or as easy as replacing a frayed wire or cracked windowpane. So, what do we do when we’re faced with a relationship that was once sweet, vibrant and important to us, but has now soured and seems beyond repair? Well, stay tuned as we take an honest look at what God has to say about Dealing with Broken Relationships, on this podcast.

Questions come in all shapes and sizes and vary in their complexity. They help us find answers to the simple facts of life, like, “Why is the sky blue?" or "How does a caterpillar really turn into a butterfly?,” or they can answer deep, theological subjects like, “How can God be all three parts of the Holy Trinity?" or "What did Jesus write in the sand when confronted by the woman caught in adultery?” All great questions that help us learn the probing matters on our minds and hearts. I have been asked hundreds of questions, maybe thousands, in over 4+ decades of ministry. But some questions are repeatedly asked by believers and unbelievers alike. In doesn’t matter the age, race, religion, or economic status of the questioner. I see the same questions asked time and time again. Today, we’ll look at just one of them. This question is probably one of the top 5 questions I have been asked more times than I can possibly count. Tune in today as we ask and answer the question: If God Is So Good, Why Do Bad Things Happen?, on this podcast.

We all learn lessons. Every day that we live, we’re constantly learning. We learn from the books we read, the teachers and mentors in our life, the educational programs and films we watch, and we learn many lessons from personal experience. And, as with all lessons, some are learned the hard way, and some, the easy way. Well, Jesus was a great teacher and came to teach the people of that time, and us, valuable lessons, spiritual lessons, eternal lessons. And He did it in a variety of ways, using the method that best fit the need of the moment, either with parables, in a group setting, personal one-on-one teaching, or, in many cases, by His personal example. The lessons He taught were always needed and applicable, and, like I said, some lessons were learned easier than others. Well on this episode of Living Lite Today with Ron Lambros, we’ll be looking at a valuable lesson that Jesus taught a simple fisherman, but in the process, He teaches each of us the value of learning that God always knows what He’s doing. Stay tuned, as we learn about Wetting Your Nets: Doing Things God’s Way, on this podcast.

Anyone who reads the Bible quickly realizes that Jesus was a great communicator, and He often used stories, called parables, to get His message across. He found that using stories helped people understand His message, His truths and principles, because it was difficult for many of them to fully grasp what He was trying to teach them. And His parables continue to teach us the great truths of God even in the 21st Century. Well today, we’ll be looking at one of the best-known parables in the entire New Testament and learn from it new and fresh truths that can help us navigate the waters of repentance and forgiveness. Stay tuned, as we learn about: Prodigals-Running to Find Grace, on this podcast.

Making decisions is a big part of life. Every day that we live, we make hundreds of them. Some are simple and uncomplicated, like choosing caffeinated or decaffeinated? The white shirt with the red tie, or the light blue shirt with the navy tie? The flats or 3” heels? But others need a bit more thought, and the consequences of these decisions can have a far greater impact on our lives. So, what are we supposed to do? In this cluttered, complicated, and chaotic world of ours, how can we know that we’re making the right decision, the best decision, one that honors God and has our best interest at heart? Well, enjoy this episode because that’s what I’ll be dealing with today as I share my 7-step strategy for Making Right Decisions on this podcast!

Many of us live in a world of want. Our happiness and satisfaction in life lies in buying the bigger house, the nicer car, having the better position with the company, or a bigger paycheck with all the perks. What we have is never enough…we always want more. But that’s NOT the life God intends for us to have. When Jesus said that He came to “give us life and life more abundantly,” He wasn’t talking about things…He was talking about being content with all that only God can give us. That’s something that cannot be bought or sold…it’s an attitude of the heart. Well, can we be content, really content, in this culture of more? I believe we can, and that’s what I’ll be talking about as we discover together: How to Be Content and Stay That Way, on this podcast.

Guarantees. You get them with everything from your automobile to your computer and cell phone. Sadly, most aren't worth the paper they're written on because they’re filled with limitations, conditions, restrictions, and exemptions…all found in the very fine print that no one ever bothers to read. But the Bible has guarantees that are, well, guaranteed. They’re always in plain view, easily read and understood. You follow these principles and precepts, and you’re guaranteed to find the abundant life that Jesus came to provide. Join us, as we look at one of the most well-known verses in the entire Bible, and I deal with the subject, "Satisfaction Guaranteed," on this podcast.

Our words are incredibly powerful. They have the ability to uplift or defeat, to encourage or discourage, to make someone laugh or smile, or make them weep…they can start a war or an argument, or they can express love or bring about reconciliation…all depending on what they are and how they’re used. And the Bible contains some of the most powerful words that have ever been spoken. Words that bring comfort, healing, joy, and hope; and others that bring about conviction, challenge, condemnation, and repentance. Well, today, we’ll look at a two-word declaration found more than 30 times in God’s Word, that contains perhaps the most life-changing words ever uttered…words that can give all of us hope in any circumstance or situation we face. Join us, as we look at the powerful statement, But God!, on this podcast.

I read about a poll that was recently conducted involving a group of 1,000 individuals from a cross-section of ages, races, religions, and economic status. This group was asked if they ever got discouraged. A staggering 93% said yes. The other 7% lied. The fact of the matter is, we all get discouraged at one time or another in our life. But why do we get discouraged, do we really have to, and what can we do about it if we do? Tune in to this podcast as we discover together how to be successful at Defeating Discouragement.

Have you ever found yourself blindsided by an event in your life that you never saw coming? You never thought it would happen…never thought could happen? But it did, and you found yourself bruised, battered, and bewildered by it all. Then, all too soon, you became angry and bitter. Maybe that wound is fresh today or perhaps you’ve struggled with it for years. It’s affected your joy and happiness, and perhaps affected your mental well-being as well. Well, it’s time to let it go, and that’s what I’ll be dealing with today as I take an honest look at Dumping the Baggage of Anger and Bitterness on this podcast.

Temptation is an incredibly powerful tool that Satan uses to trip up all of us at one time or another. Since his very first hiss in the Garden of Eden, he has caused more people to stumble and fall in their life by using it than almost anything else. But do we have to fall victim to temptation, or do we have the strength and power to have victory over it, and, if so, how do we do it? Well, get a pad and paper ready to take notes, because that’s what I’ll be dealing with today as we dig deep into the subject, Tackling Temptation, on today's podcast.

I don’t think there’s a person alive today that would argue the fact that we’re all living our lives under tremendous pressure. The challenge of making sure we maintain balance in our lives, our spiritual growth and maturity, along with making a living and time for our family, marriage, and relationships, can prove taxing, at best. Sooner or later, something’s got to give. So how do we do it all? How do we maintain a happy balance in our life and find peace while doing it? Well, stay tuned, as we discover together how we can find Peace Under Pressure on today’s podcast!

Second chances are always a blessing to give and to receive, and we serve a God who loves to give second chances, too. Isn’t that comforting to know? All of us know someone right now who could use a second chance…maybe even you personally. Well, on today’s episode of Living Lite Today, I’ll tell you how you can pack A Suitcase Full of Second Chances.

We all want to be more today than we were yesterday. We want to be better, more successful, and closer to our goals in life than we were the day before. This is especially true in the life of any believer. It’s just natural to want to grow stronger and better in our Christian life. But one of the biggest obstacles for many of us to overcome is our past. Our past can be a chained anchor wrapped so tightly around our ankle that we’re hindered from moving forward. So, what can we do about our past and what does God say about it? We’ll look at that together as we tackle the topic, Unpacking Our Past, on today’s podcast.

Worry is one of the biggest challenges in the life of any believer. At one time or another, we all feels its effects and often find it to be a much larger adversary than we ever imagined. What does the Bible say about worry and, better still, what can we do to overcome it? We'll discover that together on today's podcast.

God has a lot to say about the fear we may have in our life, and we’ll discover how we can unpack this burden, on today’s podcast.