Think About It

What is the difference between cynicism and skepticism? On the surface, they seem to be synonymous; but I believe there is a fundamental difference between them. Skepticism is looking at something to determine the truth. It is a defense mechanism to gullibility. It is openly and honestly considering the information and determining if it is accurate or useful. In a sense, being skeptical can be healthy and can keep us out of trouble. On the other hand, cynicism is distrusting just about everything. It is starting from the perspective that everyone is out to deceive us. It isn’t seeing the glass as half full or half empty – it is believing that someone is trying to steal our glass from us! Cynicism limits the relationships we can have and will cast a darkness on the world – whether it deserves it or not. I believe there is value in seeking the truth, but let’s be careful that we don’t convince ourselves everyone is out to get us. When we buy into that belief, we won’t be able t...

I have gone on the record on more than one occasion about how much I dislike April Fools Day.  Even though I am not a big fan of practical jokes, my biggest objection to it is how it gives people a license to play fast and loose with the truth.  Not only is lying allowed, it becomes socially acceptable.  I know, I know – I am being way too literal with this, but with as much untruthfulness as we have going on in our world, what we really need is a day when people are required to tell the truth!  We have enough foolishness going on in our world today, we should be lauding the truth and sanity that still exists. It irritates me when people lie in court, in government or in business interactions, what really gets me irate is when people do it in religion.  Of all places where transparency is  valued, the spiritual world should reign supreme.  Now, it is easy to start pointing figures at those religious groups who disagree with us, but the truth of the mat...

It has been said that April comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.  (Now, depending on where you live, this is said about March as well … but, hang in there with me for a minute.)  The point to this analogy is a lot can happen in a short period of time.  Springtime weather can change … and change … and change in a matter of weeks.  In fact, how many people have heard it said, “If you don’t like the weather around here, just wait a few hours and it will change!”. The reason I bring up this weather-related mantra is because it reminds me of what happened when Jesus came to earth.  Jesus was born in barn with little social fanfare.  Sure, there were some people who knew something special was brewing, but for the most part, the peace the baby brought into the world was subdued compared to the chaos that accompanied His return to heaven.  In the final weeks of His life, He not only changed the spiritual climate of humanity, but He shook up the relig...

What makes worship pleasing to God?  I realize that most people will come up some kind of answer – and many of them will focus on some functional aspect of worship.  In other words, we need to do this or that in our assembly to do religion correctly.  Now, while I do believe there are “Bible ways” to do “Bible things”, I also believe that acceptable worship starts well before we get in our cars and drive to the church building.  Even if we get our actions correct, if our attitudes are off, we aren’t going to be pleasing to God.  The Old Testament is filled with warnings about “heartless” religion including Isaiah’s warning, “Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote …” (Isaiah 29:13).  So, how do we make our worship pleasing to God?  I think a lot of it boils down to our relationships.  If we want our...

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. Today is Game 1 of the Texas Rangers Baseball season. All is right with the world now! If you have been reading my stuff for a while, you are probably aware of how big of a baseball fan I am – especially when it comes to the Rangers. I probably am more of a Texas fan than a pure baseball fan; but there are certain things I do like about the game in and of itself. One of the great things about the MLB season is that it consists of 162 games, so it is a marathon more than a sprint. Another thing I like about the game at a professional level is that this time of year everyone is tied and everyone has an equal chance to make the playoffs and win the championship. There are no rankings, there are just empirical standings. You win and you control your destiny. However, one of my favorite things about the game is that each day begins a new opportunity. When the final out is made, that game is history – you can’t change it so you might ...

Is it opportunity or ability that brings about success?  I believe the answer is “yes”!  To be successful, we must have the abilities we need to succeed at whatever endeavor we undertake, but I also believe that we must make the most of the opportunities that present themselves.  Now, notice I didn’t say, “the opportunities” that we receive because I think that we have an obligation to go out and find them.  If we sit back and wait until someone hands us something on silver platter, we’ll probably be waiting a long time.  If we are waiting for someone to point out our opportunities for us, we will miss way too many of them.   It is easy to look at people who have become successful and be skeptical of them – thinking that maybe they had more opportunities than others – but before we criticize them for the doors that have been opened to them, let’s examine if the doors were really opened for them or if they went around turning door knobs until they found...