From time to time people talk about picking up the tab for someone else as an expression of the Gospel. Maybe you leave a $20 bill in the drive through at Chick-fil A for the car behind you. You ask the waitress to put the cost of the bottle of wine for that young couple at the other table who […]
Through the course of ministry at times someone has come up to me and said, “Everyone thinks that this or that is a bad idea.” This report often comes from a self-appointed champion of the way “things ought to be done.” A good retort to such a report is, “Name one.” (The punch line is that normally the only one […]
Getting ready for vacation was an adventure with four kids, a boat and a dog. Groceries. Clothes. Toys. Don’t forget this. Make sure we pack that. Once all was stowed, everything was crammed into place, all were accounted for, a prayer of thanks offered up and the car was pulling out of the driveway, a little cheer would go up. […]
I am working through a book that has surprised me. It has me thinking more than I thought it would. Don’t you love books like that? The book is the Language and the Pursuit of Happiness by Chalmers Brothers. The author teases out the impact that language has on life. While it started out a little slow, the author worked […]
Try this. Go visit a really old cemetery, the older the better. Walk around. Read some of the dates if you can still make them out. Notice the inscriptions. Check out other adjoining grave stones. Do you see some with Christian markings? This is not intended to be a morbid activity. In fact, besides reading the Bible, it may prepare […]
While I would never say that being a pastor is the hardest job in the world, I would certainly assert it is not an easy one. It is also one that, when done well, becomes a great blessing to many. Hebrews 13:17 speaks about supporting your pastor. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over […]
Do you want to see 100% improvement in life? Instead of trying to do one thing 100% better do 100 things 1% better. The math does not work– the approach does. Where do you want to be when you are 80? Too often we only think such a thought in terms of money. What about health? What about family? What about […]
Do you plan to worship this Sunday?* What goes into that determination? Is it a foregone conclusion that when Sunday comes you will be found in worship? Or do you weigh things before you make your way to worship? Do the kids have a game this Sunday?Is the press of yardwork or shopping greater?Has it been a long week and […]
There are two ways to understand this characteristic. Let’s consider both. “Being positive” can mean “being absolutely sure about something.” When you are absolutely sure about something, be kind. If you know you are right about something and someone else is wrong, be gentle. Be humble. Ephesians 4:15 teaches, “Speak the truth in love.” When you are absolutely sure about something, […]
A clear memory from my youth was my dad saying, “Aim high. You might hit the outhouse wall, but dust yourself off and aim higher again.” Too often in life we aim too low. Aim higher. Aim higher than happiness and fun. People talk about these ad nauseam. We measure all too much of life by how happy something makes […]