You don’t work in the people business very long before you come to realize that none of us are exempt from stupidity. It only takes one wrong decision to end a career, blow up a marriage or destroy a family. While each of us is prone to make really foolish moral decisions, I have come to realize that–in the mind of … Read More
The church where I pastor was kind enough to release me for a 15-week sabbatical over the course of this past year. The idea behind a sabbatical comes from the Old Testament where God ordained that the land and people should have a time of rest. For me, the sabbatical not only provided that time of rest, but it allowed … Read More
Initially, the apostle Peter needed help in his relationships. He was demanding of others, exalted himself, and spoke before he thought. But over time he changed; he became more like Jesus. Towards the end of his life, he offers five elements that will strengthen our relationships with others. He writes: Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly … Read More
In sixth grade my parents got me a biology kit. My 12-year-old friends all got chemistry kits, but I think my parents were afraid I might blow up the house so I received a biology kit–complete with shrimp-like creatures, fruit flies, and a frog to dissect. Perhaps you remember dissection from your high school biology class. You cut, you observe, you make notes, and … Read More
Whenever I am ministering, I am consciously aware that there are those in the audience whose hidden past is painful beyond words. They are the victims of sexual abuse. Those who have been victims of such crimes often feel guilt and shame. There are questions that haunt them. Could I have told someone? Would they have believed me? Could I … Read More
Not enough. Ever feel that way? You don’t have enough time to get your work done. You don’t have enough money to pay the bills. You don’t have enough skill to get the promotion. You don’t have enough patience to raise your kids without losing your temper. You don’t have enough strength to get through the day. There’s just not … Read More
The Old Testament Israelites did their graduate training in the wilderness for 40 years. Perhaps they could have finished earlier, but they kept retaking the same class: Contentment 101. Moses gives us a peek into their course work in Deuteronomy 8. Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown … Read More
Imagine the perfect man submitting to imperfect authorities. Jesus purposed to do this because of his strong confidence in the sovereignty of his Father. This confidence is best revealed in the most preposterous of all trials. On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus will undergo six trials—three of them Jewish and three of them Roman. As he stood before Pontius … Read More
The Christian life is about serving others. Jesus both exemplified that and encouraged it. But sometimes it’s hard to serve others. We can feel like they’re taking us for granted. Or that we care more about them than they care about us. It’s easy to feel discouraged in that kind of scenario and give up on the effort to put … Read More
For the person who struggles to be consistently joyful, the phrase “rejoice always” (Phil. 4:4) is more than a bit troubling. It serves as a stark reminder that we are to be joyful in the midst of difficult circumstances and difficult relationships. I have to admit my joy tends to rise or fall with other’s perceptions of me. If they’re … Read More
