Author: Jon Gauger

Tree sap. Dust. Grime. They transformed our once-beige storage unit into a grimy gray. But I was sure the power washer would bring a quick restoration. Begrudgingly, the filth gave way, but at a snail's pace. The cleaning process was so slow I decided to entertain my wife by "drawing" the outline of a big heart on the lid of the storage unit using the jet stream of water. Because four-year-olds rarely miss anything, that drawing did not escape little Emma, who inquired of my wife, "Who put that heart on there?" “Grandpa did.” “Is it because he loves me?”…

As Christians, we’re angry. We’re angry that educators and legislators are attempting to deny parents any say in the sexual choices of their own children. We’re angry that criminals are put back on the street without posting bail. We’re angry that concerned parents who speak up at school meetings are branded as domestic terrorists. We’re angry about a lot of things. But we’re wise to test our anger against the standards of Scripture. It’s okay to be angry about sin. It’s okay to hate sin—we must! But it’s not okay to hate sinners.   Have you noticed that many Christians seem…

Imagine a pile of dead files shaped like an Angel Food cake. Disgusting, right? That’s what our fly trap looks like. It’s a green mesh cylinder with an inverted cone featuring an opening the size of a nickel. Attracted by smelly bait, the flies crawl into that hole, one by one. All day. Every day. Once inside the fabric cylinder, they flitter about. Eventually, they lose interest and want to leave the party. But they don’t. Instead, they flutter against the trap walls, figuring there must be an exit "out there." Or they zoom up to the top of the…

I am weary of apps and websites determined to collect my mobile number. From Amazon to eBay, we're assured the request is merely for our "safety," perhaps as a backup so they can contact us in an "emergency." But these aren't doctors. They're digital distractions! Still, they seem rabidly preoccupied with having me surrender my number. And the reason they want it is access. They want access to my wallet, my vote, and my mind.  But I resent the demand…ur request. I really don't want every business (or shyster) in the world to be able to tell me about The…

Frankly, I was struggling—in need of an honest perspective, That’s when I reached out to Mike Kellogg. A mentor at Moody Radio, Mike was the much-beloved voice heard on Music Thru the Night. I was in the process of becoming ordained and needed a second set of eyes on a sermon outline. As I handed him my stack of note pages, his eyes were laser locked onto mine. More than a stare, it was more like a glare. Glasses slid half-down his nose, he jostled those papers on his (always) cluttered desk. Then he growled as he graveled, “This had…

At 40, he was dead—and nobody knew. For several days, his body slumped, then stiffened in the Lazy-boy chair—his favorite. Finally, someone called the police, suggesting a wellness check. Just hours after his body was hauled away, my son Tim was asked to help clean out the house. “We’ll pay ya,” he was told. The money sounded good, as Tim was on the hunt for a pair of high-quality speakers. But a casket full of cash would not be worth what he encountered there next. Knee-high garbage proved this guy was well on his way to becoming a hoarder. There…

In about 1400, B.C., the walls of Jericho fell. Today, a literal stone’s throw from the ruins of ancient Jericho stands the Mount of Temptation Restaurant. Think grilled kabobs, squishy-soft pita, Mediterranean salads, and fresh knafeh—the ultimate Arabian spun pastry. Given the vast edible spread, there’s no shortage of temptation from a diet perspective.  Of course, the temptation the restaurant is named for is that of Jesus, who spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil—and yet did not sin.  Like any self-respecting tourist destination, the restaurant also features a gargantuan gift shop. As you enter this…

  Psalm 122:6 says, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you." That verse pops up in 3-D as we travel throughout Israel.  But how can there be peace in the Middle East when Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen do not recognize Israel as a state? Nor does Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan.  Indeed, the Palestinian Authority, Hezbollah, Hamas, and most of the Muslim world make no secret of their desire to wipe Israel off the map. This is not to say that Israel is perfect. No country is.  Though ultimate peace in…

Is VBS still viable?   In a digital world, the idea of vacation Bible school feels—let's admit it—analog.   Now that it’s June, vacation Bible school can’t be far behind. But when churches today strategize outreach, they typically tout sleek digital products, YouTube content, and Zoom services. Yet the grand old tradition of kids inviting other kids to a church-based VBS program is still alive and well.   Joslynn is living proof. At the age of six, she attended a neighborhood VBS program. Though a lot of her memories of that week have grown fuzzy, Joslynn distinctly recalls watching an…

What excites you about heaven?   I long to hear Jesus’ voice—His actual voice. Is it possible we might kiss the feet of Jesus? Might I also touch the hem of His robe?   What excites you about heaven? • I want to TASTE the water of the river of life. • I want to HEAR the voices of Cherubim and Seraphim. • I want to TOUCH the gems of the gates of heaven and feel the press of gold pavers under my feet. • I want to SEE what angels really look like—plus those six-winged creatures we read about.   I’m…