Transparent Christian Magazine

“Foreign Policy” C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S.

I was standing in line at Hobby Lobby to have some photos framed. The lady in front of me had on a bright lime green tee shirt with U.S.M.C. that included a photo of a marine. Her denim purse also had a picture of that same marine.

Continue reading...

“Spiritual Bailout” C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S

I saw two church signs this week that certainly make me entertain the notion of “bailing out”. One side states, “Hell is a party, and you are the barbecue!” The other side states, “You better turn before you burn!” Would you be inclined to attend that “warm and friendly” church? If you attend that church, do you invite your neighbors?

Continue reading...

“Does Your Life Suck?” C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S

The key component is my choice. Will my circumstances make me bitter or make me better? An eagle chooses to soar directly into the winds of the storm as the eagle knows the winds of the storm provide the most lift.

Continue reading...

“Foxhole” C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S.

It has been said that Marines are taught to dig a foxhole big enough for a friend. When the battle becomes fierce, “two are better than one”! Life is difficult as it is, but becomes nearly impossible if you do not have someone in your foxhole.

Continue reading...

“Possible” - C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S

Days later a storm lashed the town and those within sight of Oyster Creek Road witnessed something amazing. The church building—still intact—was afloat! The flood had lifted it off its pilings and sent it down the road.

Continue reading...

C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S “Father’s Song”

I was very fortunate to have grown up in a music family. My Dad played guitar, harp, and had a good voice. He sang over me as a child and sang to our boys as babies. It was frustrating to have him and Mom take care of them for an extended time. The boys expected us to walk the floor and sing to them!

Continue reading...

C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S. “Olympic Believers”

I was reconciling my bank statement and found six "surprises". These were transactions charged to my debit card that I did not know about. My identity has been stolen! To make matters worse, the charges were made for membership to porn sites.

Continue reading...

C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S “Ordinary”

They worked in mundane vocations. They were considered "ignorant ignoramuses" by the religious community. Their past was extremely questionable. They were prone to mistakes, misstatements, and egotistical remarks. They argued over who would be the greatest.

Continue reading...

C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S - “Meltdown”

This is NOT a political endorsement. Barack Obama delivered a speech to over 200,000 in Berlin Germany. He is considered “Public Enemy #1” among USA Christians. I’ve received numerous emails asking me to help “stop the Obama tide” by forwarding the email to 30 people.

Continue reading...

C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S - “Mementoes”

The release of 15 hostages in the Columbian jungle has been an amazing story. There were three American men in the group. According to a CNN report on July 11, “The men carried with them a metal lock, a bullet and a chess board made of cardboard -- small items that are reminders of the years they spent away from their families, cut off from the world outside the jungle, seeing only fellow hostages and their captors, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Continue reading...