I don’t think there’s anybody who doesn’t feel good when they help somebody out…even if it’s difficult or inconvenient. I remember getting a call from a friend who had car trouble. He called me for assistance. I have to say, I was a little reluctant to help…well…very reluctant. The reason was pretty simple. He was…
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I hate to be so revealing of my inconsistencies and shortcomings, but I have a problem. I don’t think I’m the only one. You may struggle here too. This is my issue: I want my wife to tell me all of the “wonderful” things I do…all the time. Somehow my ego needs to be satisfied…
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There is an interesting phrase found in John 1:16. “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” What does grace upon grace mean? The Gospel of John was written to reveal the deity of Jesus Christ. The opening chapter strongly declares that Jesus is full of grace and from that fullness…
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Everybody’s got a button. You know, that one thing that really sets them off. We often talk in terms of “that guy really knows how to push my buttons.” The Free Dictionary defines this idiom as “drawing a strong emotional reaction from someone, especially anger or frustration. For example, My mother-in-law really knows how to push my buttons.…
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Where do you find your identity? Is it your job? Is it your role as husband, wife or parent? Is your primary identity a student? Do you find your true identity in your ethnic or cultural background? How about your sexual orientation? Maybe it’s your skills as an athlete or a craftsman. As our kids…
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Has anyone ever accused you of having a “soft spot”? I’m not referring to a baby’s soft spot. That’s the vulnerable area on top of their head where the skull hasn’t yet grown together. Here’s a definition of what I mean: “A soft spot is a strong feeling of sensitivity and sympathy for something or someone.” Maybe for…
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I’m old enough to remember what happened on November 22, 1963. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I was in grade school, but I remember the fear and uncertainty I felt. All my classmates felt it as well. I also remember September 11, 2001. Four coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States. This time as…
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For the most part of our lives, we feel that we’re the only one who feels the way we do. For example, maybe you’re going through a health challenge or financial hardship and every cell in our body is declaring, “Woe is me. Nobody has it as bad as me. I’m sicker, I’m worse off,…
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Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even the Messiah did not please Himself. Romans 15:1-2 Jesus turned the world upside-down concerning the “strong” and…
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“Ama et quod vis fac” It’s Latin and it sounds cool. Better is what it means and who said it. In English, it’s “Love, and do what you want!” It was written by Aurelius Augustine (St. Augustine). A casual look at Augustine’s words sounds a lot like a “license.” License to do whatever you want…
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