Think About It

Have you noticed how loud our world can be?  For some, this din is actual physical noise, but for the rest of us, the noise is more a collective shouting of “Look At Me”!  Our high-profile athletes pound their chest or mock their competitors to highlight their accomplishments.  Our politicians are quick to point out their victories while limiting their failures.  Products are sold using superlatives such as “best”, “greatest”, “new and improved” or “supreme”.  It seems like, in an effort to get attention, we shout our claims of superiority and hide (or lie about) our defects. I am not sure that our world will ever reverse the trend of creating noise to promote itself, but as good, decent people we need to make sure that we don’t get caught up in all the hype.  I am reminded of a company whose unofficial slogan might have been “under-promise” and “over-deliver”.  In essence, don’t make claims you won’t keep while seeking to provide greater service th...

This is my favorite day of the year.  I even like it better than my birthday because the food is better!  Who can argue with the blend of food, football and friends?  Thanksgiving is a special time in our nation – not because it is a time of feasting or official beginning of the Holiday Season – but, because it is a day set aside for one of the richest and most blessed nations on earth to stop and express our thanks.  Can you imagine your Thanksgiving meal merely consisting of all the side-dishes without the main course?  Of course not!  The same can be said about the heart of our day.   It’s great to share a feast and good tidings, but without giving thanks for our blessings, all of the other stuff seems superficial. Most of us know how to express thanks, but even if we don’t here are three simple steps: 1)  See our blessings .  We are going to receive blessings whether we see them or not, but what makes the giving of thanks possib...

Fifty-four years ago our nation was shocked, saddened and sacred.  On November 22, 1963 President John Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas.  President Kennedy was a young man who was looked upon as new type of leader – one that could and would usher in a renewed nation and a fresh philosophy.  History is intrigued by what might have happened had President Kennedy lived, but alas, it is all a matter of speculation because we will never know.  I don’t actually remember President Kennedy (even though I was alive during his brief presidency), but I am convinced that some of his programs were accomplished because of his assassination and some of his dreams became reality due to the nature and timing of his death. Centuries before John Kennedy was killed another fresh-thinking leader died at the hands of evil men.  Jesus came to earth with a renewed way of seeing the world and a fresh look at what was possible.  He, too, was charismatic and controversial....

Those who know me now realize that I am a baseball fan – but, those who knew me as a child would have probably called me a fanatic!  I could quote a lot of baseball trivia, up-to-date statistics as well as past and present information.  I loved baseball and couldn’t get enough of it.  While this was a great way to grow up as a child, there was one drawback – I couldn’t pass a Math test based upon who much baseball I knew.  I might have even been able to impress my teachers with my baseball knowledge, but my grades in school weren’t based upon how passionate or informed I was about the Oakland A’s or the Atlanta Braves, I was judged on how well I mastered the scholastic subject at hand. Have you ever thought about how we will be judged at the end of time?  We may be the best and brightest in our profession, but that won’t be what our Righteous Judge will be considering.  We may have an understanding of the world’s philosophies, but that won’t be the basis...

When I was growing up we questioned “Preacher’s Stories” wondering if they were merely “parables” created to make a point.  Today’s version of preacher stories might be “Things Overheard In Walmart”.  I don’t know if it is true, but the other day I heard a story that I thought was pretty good.  A lady was looking at frozen turkeys but couldn't find one big enough.   She asked the stock boy, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?".  He replied with a straight face, "No ma'am, they're dead."  While there is an entertainment value in the superficial sharing of this story, there is something even deeper.  If examined independently, each part of this exchange is valid, but when they are combined in a single encounter, that’s where things get interesting.  Each person was precise in their individual point, the problem presented itself when it came time to interpret the other’s message.  This story reminded me a reality of communication:  the...

What does godly religion look like?  Often, when we discuss religion we focus on what we do (and why we do what we do) in our worship assemblies.   While I believe there are some things that are necessary to do (and some things to avoid) during our church services, there is another layer that should be taken into account.  When the Jews were struggling with being pleasing to God, He made an interesting comment about their spiritual disciplines by saying, “ Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?  Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:6-7).  I am sure that God would love to have had His believers observe appropriate acts of worship, but the way they treate...

The other day I was listening to a musician tell a story about another, older musician who had mentored him.  The young singer had grown up idolizing this entertainer, so when they got a chance to collaborate it was not only a memorable time, it was also an affirmation of the youngster’s development.  When the mentor shared the stage with the upstart it set the tone for future success.  There wasn’t a rivalry, there wasn’t a jealousy, there was leadership. Are we helping younger people become the best they can be or are we afraid that the next generation will unseat us and take our place?  If there is one thing that age should teach us it is that the next wave of leaders is coming whether we like it or not.  Armed with this reality, what should we be doing – mentoring them through the wisdom we have learned or causing them to become embittered because we are placing barriers and landmines in their rise to the top?  Often we hear one generation criticize ...