“How much does it cost?” “What’s it worth?” These two questions may sound alike, but they are different. Very different. “Cost” is the amount of money it takes to complete a purchase . . . the bill, the tab, the monetary expense required to accomplish a financial transaction. “Worth” is the usefulness of the object . . .
Read MoreCategory Archives: Christian Living
Deterioration
Solomon seized the reins of wrong and drove his glistening chariot of gold onto the misty flats of licentiousness, pride, lust, profanity, and paganism. Silently, gradually, like eroding soil near the banks of a deep, angry river, he began to believe the lie that has captured many a top executive . . . or super salesperson . . . or successful physician . . . or athletic prima donna . . . or film star . . . or TV celebrity.
Read MoreRefuge Wanted
People don’t want to listen to a recording of some sermon when the bottom drops out. They want a place to cry, a person to care, someone to bind up their wounds, someone to listen, the security of a few close, intimate friends who won’t blab their story all over the church—who will do more than say, “I’ll pray for you.” They want refuge.
Read MoreFinding a Refuge
The law of supply-and-demand is something we face every day. Because there are those who need, there must also be those who provide. There are employers and employees. There are counselors and counselees. There are teachers and teachees (I couldn’t resist).
Read MoreA Renewed Mind
No hypocrisy, no competition. Wouldn’t that be refreshing to live such a life? It all comes to those with a “renewed mind” . . . those who determine they are going to allow the Spirit of God to invade all those walls and towers, capturing the guards that have kept Him at arm’s length all these years.
Read MoreControl
It’s easy to get confused these days. “Out of control” isn’t what we want to be. People who drink too much are said to be “out of control.” Those who worry too much become emotionally “out of control.” The same goes for those who go too far with anything: prescription drugs, food, fitness, sex, work—you name it.
Read MoreThoroughness
I just looked up the definition of “thorough” in my dictionary. Mr. Webster says it means “carried through to completion, careful about detail, complete in all respects.” Somehow, I find that a convicting definition. Few indeed are those who finish what they start—and even fewer do a complete job of it when they do finish a task.
Read MoreThe Forgotten Side of Success
Face it; we live in a success-saturated society. Right next to the books applauding our selfishness are dozens of bestsellers telling us how we can be more successful. Dozens of books and magazines every year, along with scores of DVDs and hundreds of seminars, offer new ideas and new motivation techniques that have the promise of prosperity. Success is big business. No wonder thinking like servants is so hard.
Read MoreI, Me, Mine, Myself
We constantly applaud the I-me-mine-myself philosophy in subtle as well as overt ways. We make books on the subject of selfishness bestsellers by buying them by the millions. We put the gifted on a pedestal and secretly (if not publicly) worship at their shrine. And we make every effort to “look out for number one” at all cost.
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