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Focus or Refocus?
For followers of Christ, depth, not appearances or superficial spirituality, is important. It is not how flashy the talk is but the substance of the talk. It is not how flowery and eloquent one may sound, but how sincere and truthful one is. A memorable example of this truth occurred in the month of July
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Thanklessness
A letter written in a childish scrawl came to the post office addressed to “God.” A postal employee, not knowing exactly what to do with the letter, opened it and it read: “Dear God, my name is Jimmy. I am 6 years old. My father is dead and my mother is having a hard time
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Is It Discernment or Judging?
There is a Persian proverb that sounds more like a tongue twister than sound advice. He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool; shun him.He who knows not, and knows that he knows not is a child; teach him.He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep;
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The Four Legs of Stress
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should changeAnd though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.(Psalm 46:1,2,11) When a lion tamer holds a stool in front of the
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Friendship, God’s Style
I remember once when my older son had one of his friends over to spend the night. For the occasion, I promised my boys I would bring home a movie to watch. My choice for the evening was “Brian’s Song.” As I watched this movie with them for what seemed like my 20th time to
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Attitude Is Better Than Aptitude
From a pastor’s perspective, you know it is going to be a bad day when: . . . You finally remember the name of that person you promised to visit in the hospital – while reading the obituaries. . . . You can’t find Obadiah while leading a Bible study. . . . In the pulpit you notice your sermon
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God’s Cure for Discouragement
(Ephesians 3:14-21) Larry Olsen in Outdoor Survival Skills describes a man lost in the desert: “He has been out of food and water for days. His lips are swollen, his tongue is swollen, he’s all beat up and bloody. Some of his bones are almost peeking through. He has been scraped and beat up by the cactus and
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The Power of the Cross
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of theFather, even so we also should walk in newness of life.(Romans 6:4) After Lazarus had been dead for four days, Jesus called him forth from the grave. When he came out,
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No Pain, No Gain
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials. (James 1:2) Most people dream of a world of ease. We long for a life of perfect comfort with minimal trials. What is really dangerous for Christians are those momentary exemptions – our intermittent relief from trials can make us think that maybe it will
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Is There a Barnabas in the House?
During the Boer War (1899-1902), a man was convicted of a very unusual crime. He was found guilty of being a “discourager.” The South African town of Ladysmith was under attack, and this traitor would move up and down the lines of soldiers who were defending the city and do everything he could to discourage them. He would
