Author: Jon Gauger

When you are six, learning to whistle is a big deal. When you are six, learning to snap your fingers is also a big deal. And may I remind you that when you are six, losing your first tooth is definitely a big deal? So it was that we received spirited updates on all these major life events from Emma, who is indeed six years old. As we listened in person or on FaceTime, we heard her snaps grow louder and her whistle less airy. We watched as her tooth grew wigglier and wigglier. But on FaceTime—or any time—nothing was wigglier…

We waited at the counter—but nobody seemed to notice. At a certain fast food Mexican chain (no names here, but their logo might feature a purple bell), we attempted to pay for our lunch. Mind you, we’d already placed our order at the kiosk, so as not to “trouble” any of the workers with—well, customers. We might still be there waiting were it not for a crew member who stepped out of the restroom and saw us stranded at the counter. She took pity on us, then took cash from us. We’ve had the same “you-folks-at-the-counter-don’t-exist” experience at a certain…

Got clobbered by a Scripture verse this week. Proverbs 8:13 proclaims, “To fear the Lord is to hate evil.” I’m guessing your reaction is like mine was—initially. With a dismissive yawn, you’re saying, “No problem there. I definitely hate evil.” Not so fast. What about the evil of profanity in the TV programs we stream? What about the evil of sensuality in the movies we pay good money to see? What about the evil in the books we read? And what about the blogs and social media voices we champion whose words spew a literary napalm over our political foes?…

They're the most colorful part of any baseball game as they howl, "Strike!" Or "Safe!" I'm talking about umpires, of course. And if you've ever watched a game, you've heard the bark of their bluster over the roar of the crowd: “You’re out!” Umpires understand their call must be clear and confident. Now, you might not be much of a baseball fan. It could be the slow pace. Or the spitting. Or…(I’ll leave it at that). But the fact remains, Scripture calls you to be an umpire, of sorts. Colossians 3:15 urges us, “Let the peace of Christ, to which…

Ever thought about how many people are killed by animals every day? Steve Jenkins collects these kinds of statistics. Following is a list of the top nine animal killers on the planet—and how many they kill in an average day: Crocodiles, 3 Roundworm, 5 Tsetse Fly, 25 Assassin Bug (Gotta love that name), 30 Dogs, 150 (through physical attack or spreading disease) Freshwater snail, 275 (they spread many deadly diseases) Snakes, 275 Mosquitoes, 2,500 Ironically, sharks—among the most feared of all creatures—kill only one person every month or two. * Were you surprised by that list? I sure was. After…

Ever hear of a lap chicken? Me, neither. But I met one this week. “Betty” was born on a horse farm near Jacksonville, Florida. But somehow, this little chicken sustained an injury that left one leg broken. Unable to stand, she was vulnerable, having little hope for survival. But Joslynn, a horse-riding high schooler with a heart for animals, noticed the chicken and began talking with the farmers. She explained how she had raised a chicken during the Covid pandemic—even taught it to hang onto the handlebars of her bicycle and go for a ride. Impressed, the farmers welcomed her…

Silence is golden. Unless you have a toddler. Then, silence is very suspicious indeed! Truthfully, I should have been much more suspicious of myself last week at work. Let me explain. At precisely 3:30 Wednesday afternoon, I walked out of my office, closed the door, and hiked the mile and a half to the train station in downtown Chicago. Getting off the train in the suburbs, I enjoyed a quiet evening with Diana. At 6:35 the next morning, I stepped back into my office at Moody Radio—and soon discovered the problem. My soundproof office doubles as a recording studio, and…

Are you a cultural crank? We’ve all got opinions about what’s wrong with America. Our souls sag with the weight of them. Among my top cultural concerns: We kill babies—and call that “pro-choice.” We release criminals without bond. We force taxpayers to cover someone else's college debt. We label parents as "terrorists" when they speak out at school meetings. We liken Christians to the Taliban. There’s a lot to be angry about. And we are! We’re angry about the moral decay around us. We're angry about the unfair treatment of believers. We’re angry about the indoctrination in public schools. We’re…

They say that a rut is nothing more than a grave with both ends kicked out. But when it comes to praying for unsaved family members, friends, and co-workers, the easiest thing in the world is to fall into a rut. (Boy, do I fight this!). Here's something you might find helpful. What follows are seven straightforward "Prayer Prompts" you can use in your own prayer ministry. As you read through the list, you'll notice these prayers are written for someone who is out in their neighborhood doing a prayer walk. But you can easily edit/modify/adapt these for your unique…

Her “place” is on Wells Street. Her bed is cement. Her name is Florence. But like so many other homeless people in Chicago, I knew nothing about her. A co-worker walked the same route I took from the train station to Moody that early morning. She was a block ahead and took the initiative to talk with the homeless lady. Turns out Florence is a nurse from Uganda who has come to the United States in hopes of securing a job in the medical field. However, there are forms, procedures, approvals, and acres of red tape—all of which add up…