be patient
If you had the opportunity to handpick the members of your local church or small group, would you choose people who always . . .
a good worker
Do you think God views you as a good worker? This is a difficult question to answer. Some of us feel that we could never be good enough to deserve such a commendation; others confess that seeking His approval is not exactly our priority. Moreover, it’s easy to be unduly modest or self-deceptively positive. So, how do we even begin to assess ourselves correctly?
multi-hat syndrome
A pastor recently listed 36 different “hats” he might wear. The roles included community activist, theologian, financial advisor, and life coach. These roles evolved from the different needs of churchgoers. While it’s important for all of us to respond to others’ needs, if the demands consume us, we may begin to serve people instead of serving God.
the ultimate question
Fred Meijer was one of the wealthiest men in the world. His Meijer stores were the first to combine food and general merchandise under one roof. When he died his fortune put him in select company. But he wore his wealth lightly, often dropping by his shops and revealing a kind heart as he greeted customers, passed out coupons for free ice cream and even bagged shopping.
the little people
They had gathered on the lush, rolling slopes to hear Him. And He stood there on the hill, looking into the eyes of as many of them as He could.
the counts
It’s likely you didn’t wake up this morning and think Hope my white blood cell counts are climbing! I did. Why? Due to a recent bone marrow transplant, my blood cells have been doing their own version of the “limbo” (“How low can you go?”). Low counts aren’t good. They mean you’ll have a tough time fighting off disease and that you might be dealing with some serious medical maladies. Those tiny little red-and-white blood cells can’t be seen, so most of us simply take them for granted.
can you keep a secret?
Matthew 6:1-4: Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others.…
discipline of secrecy
I’m an exhibitionist,” said the surrealist artist Salvador Dali. “Life is too short to remain unnoticed.” And actress Marlene Dietrich once released an album made entirely of the applause recorded at her cabarets—which she frequently played for her friends.
The desire for praise is never far from any of us. We want people to applaud our qualities and achievements. We…
making life grow
I love food fresh from the garden, particularly tomatoes. A couple years in a row, I had idyllic visions of growing our own crop and having a limitless supply of red, juicy deliciousness.
The first season, a vicious fungus ravaged every last plant. The second season, our 2-year-old son ravaged every last plant (sneaking into our garden and snatching every…
the model church
What church in the New Testament stands out as the model for the rest? This question was asked during a church growth seminar. It was no surprise that no one attempted to give the church in Corinth that honor. Understandably, everyone said it was the infant church in Jerusalem, described in Acts 2:42-47. But to the apostle Paul, the church…
measured
After a 7-year hiatus of staying home with our children, I returned to teaching this year. Acclimating to the demands of being a high school English teacher, I realized I had not missed grading essays. I love watching students grow in their writing, but the rigor of reading and grading 25 essays at a time can be mind-boggling. To keep…
religious heels
The language student impressed the instructor with her academic diligence. But when the class went on a field trip for some cultural training, he didn’t even recognize her. The reason? In class, she concealed 6-inch heels beneath her pants. In her comfortable walking boots, she didn’t even reach 5 feet tall. “My heels are how I want to be,” she…
marvelous
Last year, the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Summer Olympics were spectacular. The 17 days of competition, full of world-record-shattering performances, were sensational. But were the 2008 Summer Games marvelous?
Before answering, first consider what the word marvelous means. The American Heritage Dictionary defines marvelous as: (1) Causing wonder or astonishment. (2) Miraculous; supernatural. Webster's Dictionary says marvelous means: (1) Exciting wonder or surprise; astonishing;…
ekg
The electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test that helps your doctor determine your heart's health by measuring its electrical activity. The pattern of these signals can tell your physician if your heart is functioning normally, under stress, or damaged. What if every follower of Jesus could get a spiritual EKG today? I wonder what it would say about our spiritual health.…
