make the time
Are you busy? We can easily become overwhelmed with all the responsibilities that loom over us on any given day. We have calendar apps, appointment reminders, and handy lists to keep us organized. I enjoy finding new ways to use my time wisely and stay on task, but I have to be careful not to put my trust in my plans over the One who holds the plan. More importantly, I need to understand that while life often “just happens,” I must approach it with intentionality.
magical green stick
When the Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy was a child, he believed in a magical green stick that could destroy all evil. His lifelong yearning for moral perfection in himself may have grown out of that childish belief. He never found it, yet his writings reveal his acute understanding of human depravity and God’s holiness.
rest
We live in an action-oriented world, and it seems that simplifying our lives has never been more complicated. Answer the following questions as honestly as you can to determine if you need to rest: Do I feel stressed when functioning in my normal day-to-day activities? Is it difficult to find joy in the life that God has given me? Do…
meditation
In the Christian life, meditation differs from questionable practices in the world. As we read the Bible, it's clear that our God wants us to meditate—meditate on Him and His Word.
In Philippians 4:8, it says: "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy…
wrong directions
Last summer, a couple from Sweden took a wrong turn on their way to paradise. The duo was determined to reach the beautiful island of Capri, Italy. As they headed out from Venice, however, they went the wrong way. You see, they had accidentally entered “C-A-R-P-I” into their car’s GPS, not “C-A-P-R-I.” So when the two found themselves in the…
wisdom of a president
With the death of former US President Gerald Ford in December 2006, many Americans found renewed appreciation for the man who steadfastly served following the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Many people knew that he had spent years of his life in public service before becoming President. But few knew the integral role his Christian faith had played in shaping…
meditate
We African Christians in general love the Bible. We love to own a Bible. We enjoy listening to preaching based on the Bible. We love to read tracts and booklets about the Bible. Sometimes we check out the Bible to pray a certain psalm or read a few verses that have been indicated to us in the course of a…
the blue letters
During an airline flight, a woman seated next to my friend pulled out a brand-new Bible—still shrink-wrapped. My friend pointed to the unblemished book and remarked, “Now that’s a new one!”
The woman smiled and explained that her old Bible, which she quickly retrieved from her carry-on bag, was “full.” The blue-ink notes and insights she had written in its…
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;…
