You shall be called… the restorer of paths to live in. – Isaiah 58:12
In the quintessential definition of rebellion, much of modern American culture appears to be tolerant of everything EXCEPT the traditional morals and values of our ancestors.
What was once considered obvious common sense is now labeled “out of touch”, “antiquated”, “bigoted” and “hateful”.
From protests to Nightly News and Social Media, some members of our communities are increasingly being told to keep their big mouths shut. The rhetoric is mind-numbing. Continue reading “Big Mouth Christians”
Have you ever experienced a moment when you were having an exceptionally joyful day – one where you felt love for everybody and everything – when all of a sudden, and out of the blue, you were smacked in the face with an insult, rude behavior or someone’s bad attitude?
Isn’t it amazing how our happy, loving and carefree attitude can almost instantly change to anger, hatred and violent thoughts when someone says or does the wrong thing? Believe it or not, there is a Biblical prescription for just such moments. I can’t say that the medicine is sweet, but it is always effective. Continue reading “Jesus Judo for Biblical Blessings”
According to a 2008 Gallup poll, 78% of Americans considered themselves Christians. Does the evidence exist to prove it? Continue reading “Called to Change the World”
Imagine being a Christian during the Roman persecutions. It must have been horrifying to wait your turn to be ripped apart by wild beasts. I wonder if some of the Christian prisoners were forced to feed and care for the very lions that would eventually kill them. I also wonder if we are doing something similar today.
In a scathing rebuke of the main stream media,during last night’s Republican Presidential Debate, Senator Ted Cruz sparked a firestorm of controversy in today’s press. Cruz chastised CNBC’s moderator, Carl Quintanilla saying, “The questions that have been asked so far in this debate illustrate why the American people don’t trust the media.” [Audience Applause] He went on to say, “This is not a cage match.”
So what was Quintanilla’s alleged sin? Did his question really go over the top or was Cruz simply being too sensitive?
Have you ever witnessed something in the dark that appeared one way only to discover is was totally different in the light?
This phenomena is not unique to children, it also happens to adults. The biggest difference is that adults usually have enough experience to know that they are likely witnessing an illusion. These kinds of experiences are not unique to the physical world either, they have parallels in the soul and spirit.
There is a lot of teaching about how we think and how thinking guides our lives. Much of the modern discussion surrounds self-improvement and achieving goals. While there is certainly validity and usefulness in these discussions, most only skim the surface of something much deeper and infinitely more important.
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14)
Thoughts
One of the most basic rules of aviation is trust your instruments. A variety of circumstances and situations can disorient even the most seasoned pilot, but a properly maintained cockpit instrument is consistent. It is not affected by lack of oxygen or too little sleep. It looks the same in foggy weather as it does in clear. Bad days do not affect its judgment. These instruments provide a critical reference for achieving the goal of a safe landing at the desired destination.
As we prepare to move into new roles and responsibilities, it is important to take time to step back and reflect on the kind of person we are going to be. It is a time to not only evaluate our expectations, but also to set boundaries and solidify our core values – and to make sure that our actions line up.
Although we are not certain when David composed the one hundred and first Psalm, most scholars agree that it was at a time of transition in his life – he was walking through an important threshold of leadership advancement. Perhaps he was ascending to King, or perhaps he was preparing for leadership in the wilderness.
In eight short verses, David declares his commitment, not to what he is going to do, but who he is going to be. Take a minute to read Psalm 101 now. Don’t worry I’ll wait…
In 1955, psychologists Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham devised a technique called the Johari Window. It’s purpose is to help people better understand themselves and their relationship with others. It has been tweaked a lot over the years by Psychologists and Life Coaches, but the principles are still the same. The diagram helps explain the model.
God is always tougher on leaders than He is on everyone else. The Apostle James warned his readers that they shouldn’t be too eager to be teachers, as God judges us more strictly. In the the book of Micah we read, “…Listen, you leaders of Israel! You are supposed to know right from wrong, but you are the very ones who hate good and love evil. You skin my people alive and tear the flesh from their bones…” It goes on, but I’m sure you get the point. It is a lot of responsibility being a leader.
That being said, we need God-centered leaders more than ever. Irish statesman, author and philosopher Edmund Burke famously stated hundreds of years ago, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”