Think About It

When you think about challenges, what do you imagine?  Are challenges inconveniences or opportunities?  I believe that we have convinced ourselves that the status quo is the best way to live, but is it?  Let me take this a bit further – not only is it better, is it even possible?  We might tell ourselves that we hope (wish) that things could stay the same, but there is no way that can happen.  Something is going to change, the question at hand is will we guide that adjustment to our benefit or will we be relegated to reacting to whatever happens.  I don’t want to appear to be out of touch with reality – and think that all change is fun and exciting – but, I also don’t want us to fear the future.          Are we going to embrace the enviable and have a role in making the best of what is coming for us or are we going to sit back and defend against anything different?  We may not have a choice in what is in store ...

Do we feel like we are out of step with the world?   If so, should that surprise us?   I think it is easy to feel like if we live a good life, everyone will appreciate us.   If we do what is right, the majority of our neighbors will be happy for us.   Now, while this can happen, I am not sure that it should be a foregone conclusion.   In fact, it might do us some good to expect to be treated with a sense of animosity.   I am not saying that we should expect that the majority of people will be mean and nasty to us – but, I don’t think we should be surprised if they don’t share our values.   Interestingly, this is not something new to modern times – the world has been this way for a long time.   As the early Christians were finding their way in the First Century, they were reminded, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not k...

This week is a special time for our nation … or let me say that this time can be a special time for our nation.   I think back to 1976 – the bicentennial – and remember a great sense of excitement and patriotism.   It seems like as soon as the calendar turned over on January 1, we were focused on July 4.   Maybe it is me, but I am not getting the same feeling for our nation’s 250 th .   Am I missing something?   I realize that we are dealing with some political and social issues today – but when we think back to 1976 we were just a few months out of Viet Nam and the resignation of a president.   I don’t know that the differences are as much historic as much as they are emotional.   While I am not saying that celebrating our nation is a “spiritual” obligation, I do find some wisdom from the Old Testament.   After noting that there is an appointed time for everything, the wise king Solomon added, “A time to weep and a time to laugh; a ti...

Several years ago we switched our primary television provider to YouTube TV.   Now, other services might provide something similar, but one thing I have noticed about YouTube TV is what they call “Now for a Moment of Zen”.   Basically, it is a break from all the other stuff on TV.   There are several of them – from puppies frolicking to insects buzzing to fires crackling.   They are only a few seconds long, but for that moment it provides an escape. As I thought about these moments, I realized that they are only showing close-ups of what they want us to see.   I don’t know the complete context for their videos, but they have done a good job of capturing that moment at that time.   Wouldn’t it be great if real life could be that way?   Imagine how much bliss we could find if we could narrow our focus to remove all the noise around us.   Come to think of it, why do we have to imagine it – why don’t we just do it?   Centuries ago, Christians w...

One of my favorite statements of the Bible comes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:10).   There are several reasons I like this verse, but I have to admit that anything that will align me with our Heavenly Father is a pretty noble pursuit.   I think that, inherently, most of us understand the value of making peace, but as I pondered   this a few days ago, I thought of a couple specific examples.   Maybe the most important way God made peace was when He completed the process of forgiveness.   When we sin, we are at odds with Him, but through His mercy and His Son’s sacrifice we can be restored to a peaceful relationship with Them.   Additionally, the Lord has established a way that all kinds of diverse people can enjoy a peaceful co-existence.   We don’t have to look alike nor do we have to agree on everything to be able to live in peace.   When we embrace God’s worldv...

When I was working out at the gym the other day I happened to look up and see an interesting story about being a sports “fan”.  The essence of the story is that we feel good when our team(s) win and we feel bad when they lose.  Now, for me, that was a no-brainer; but what got my attention was the fact that there was science behind my ups and downs.  Prompted by the blip I saw on the TV, I went back to my office and found there actually was an article in Psychology Today written by Dr. Patrick McElwaine (a self proclaimed lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan) entitled "The Psychology of Sports Fandom:  Balancing Wins and Losses”.  I will not attempt to summarize his work here, but if you are more than a casual sports fan, I would encourage you to read it.  However, what I will say is that his research prompted me to wonder if we are taking casual things too seriously?  Whether it is our sports, entertainment, politics … or whatever else we follow passionate...