Most of us can find ways to be thankful at least one day a year. Especially, when the day is filled with things we love to eat, games we love to watch and the company of people we enjoy. But when outrage and angst fill our newsfeeds every other day of the year, how do we extend our âthanksgiving spiritâ … Read More
Forty million Americans battle anxiety. That means for every hundred people you pass on the street, twenty of them are struggling with anxious thoughts. With such a high percentage of people dealing with anxiety, youâd think it wouldnât be hard to talk about. But for many it remains a secret struggle. Partly, because it feels like youâre the only one … Read More
No one ever modeled humility the way Jesus did. The Bible teaches that he left heaven, took on the form of a servant and willingly chose to die in the place of sinners. We often speak of Jesusâ love for us, but when that love is juxtaposed against our rejection of him, his humility comes into sharper focus. This is … Read More
Mercy is one of those essential elements in relationships because sooner or later the other party will disappoint us. MERCY means to be gracious with others in their need and to be forgiving towards them when theyâve wronged us. Here are four qualities that mark the merciful person. Quality 1: The merciful person is less prone to anger. In most … Read More
Loyal friends are hard to find, but they are essential for the journey of life.In his book Quality Friendship, Gary Inrig writes, “The fact that our heroes of faith needed others underlines the inescapable need we all have to establish solid and satisfying friendships that not only meet our needs but equip us to meet the needs of others as … Read More
When I first entered the ministry, I had a limited understanding of othersâ pain. Thirty years later that is not the case. Iâve wept at the graveside of parents who buried their children far too early. Sat next to the widow-to-be as she talked with the doctors about the final breaths her husband would take and looked into the husbandsâ … Read More
We live in a world where unity is in short supply. In the past, weâve wrongly assumed that a lack of conflict means unity exists. But recent events have revealed that the conflicts were always there, simmering just below the surface. Genuine unity means to deliberately consider what the other person is thinking â seeking agreement. If you intend to … Read More
As our national awareness of systemic racism grows following the funeral of George Floyd, Iâve been giving thought to what I should do. Here are six statements that reflect my desire to listen, to learn, and to love those who are different than me. I WILL listen HUMBLY (Pr. 18:2, 15) I will seek to understand your experiences, not interpret … Read More
The 74-day delay in the arrest of Ahmaud Arberyâs killers, followed by the senseless death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer are heartbreaking and deeply disturbing events. These are not isolated incidents in our country, and this is not someone elseâs problem. It is ours. The Bible charges each of us: âLearn to do good; seek … Read More
Perhaps your lifestyle schedule is best described with Mason Cooley’s quip: The time I kill is killing me. It’s easy to lose track of the real purpose of one’s life when our schedules get jammed with the many activities that we’ve committed ourselves to. In a previous post I referenced the first four timely truths from Solomon’s poem in Ecclesiastes 3. … Read More
