Think About It

What is the key to consistently winning?  There may be many answers to this question, but if you watch those who are constantly victorious one of the qualities you will see is confidence – they believe they are going to win.  No, they may not come out on top every time, but they enter each of their competitions with a belief that they are going to win.  Whether in politics, athletics or anywhere else successful people believe they can do the job and are committed to being effective. Have we ever wondered why Christians struggle?   Whether it is in our personal challenges or as a movement it is easy to fear future outcomes and wonder if we are going to fail?   Interestingly, we are the ones who hold the answer to that question!   We determine whether we are going to be victims of or victors over our circumstances.   The New Testament is a story of power and victory.   We have been promised the strength we need to overcome the world when we are...

Do we live in the best of times ... or do we live in the worst of times?   I guess that, depending upon whom we ask, the answer could be “yes”.   We are surrounded by advancements in technology, finances and health care that couldn’t have been imagined a few years back.   Then, on the other hand, our society is struggling with blatant immorality.   The news (as well as community gossip) is filled with stories of evil and unrighteousness.   Most of us agree that our physical advancements make this a great time in which to live, but there is another segment of the population who lament the present condition of man as being so base and perverse that nothing good could come from the modern world.   While it is easy to hop aboard the “life is rotten” bandwagon, let’s take an honest look back at the history of our world.   Do we recall when this observation was made about mankind, “ Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth,...

When our young family moved to Pierre, South Dakota in the summer of 1992 we were excited about the new adventure.   We had never lived in that part of the country, nor had we been so close to the workings of State Government.   Living in Pierre is neat experience because, since it is the second smallest state capital in the United States, you get to experience civics and politics up-close-and-personal.   Less than a year later, we became well aware of just how much of a small town Pierre was.   On April 19, 1993 Governor George Mikkelson, members of his staff and business advisers were killed in an airplane crash.   The community was devastated.   Just about everyone in town had a connection to the incident.   For some, is was a personal relationship with one of the people on the plane, for others it was through their jobs with the state.   Even though it has been twenty-five years since the incident I still recall the initial hurt and the subse...

Would you like to be able to give someone something that would make their lives better?   How many of us have laid in bed at night, contemplating what we would do if we suddenly struck it rich.   After paying for the new boat and the condo on the beach, many of us have pondered what we could do with some of the money to make a difference.   The reality is that we probably aren’t going to come into a substantial amount of money – but, that doesn’t mean that we can’t help others.   Here are a few things we can give the world that will make it better: 1)   We can give a smile .   There is nothing that brightens people day any quicker than a genuine smile.   Just by looking someone in the eye and smiling at them, we might be able to alleviate some of the stress and disappointment they are feeling. 2)   We can give a compliment .   Flattery won’t get us everywhere, but genuine compliments can make a difference.   People are constantly ...

Right about this time each year I have to have a little talk with myself.   Since I typically have to “pay in” on my tax responsibilities, I am not one of the ones who files their taxes any earlier than necessary.   Hey if the mid-April deadline is good enough for them, it is good enough for me.   Sometime around April 15 each year I have to remind myself how I benefit from paying taxes.   When I look at the amount I pay, I have to stop and think about where my money goes.   No, I don’t crack open the federal budget, but I do look around and see the value I get for what I pay.   Not only do I receive benefits such as infrastructure, protection and security, but a portion of what I pay helps others.   In a sense, by paying taxes I can do a little good for the people around me who can’t do it on their own. As I thought about this, I got to thinking about my contribution to the church.   Sure, I realize the Christian obligation that comes with Pau...

          Late Saturday afternoon I participated in the suburban sport known as “speed mowing”.   While I can’t speak for everyone, I think that most of us are familiar with the game that has its roots in precipitation and procrastination.   As I was finishing up my supper I looked outside and realized my lawn needed some attention.   When I took a glance at my schedule and the weather forecast I realized that unless I got right on the task, by the time I got around to it I was going to have to bail my grass or rent it out for pasture.   I hurried through my supper, asked Alexia how much time I had before sundown and headed out the door.   I hustled to get the job done before I ran out of natural light.   (I think it would have looked silly to mount a flashlight on my mower, but   sometimes a guy has to do what a guy has to do.)   I have to admit that Alexia is pretty smart because she was right on poi...

Early on in Jesus’ ministry He appears to go on record as   to what His disciples (and His adversaries) could expect from Him.   One certainty was controversy.   Jesus made a lot of startling statements throughout His life, many of which come in what is called the Sermon on the Mount.   One such statement is, “ For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses  that  of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)   The scribes had become the “experts” in the Law of Moses and the Pharisees consisted of some of the most religious people in the nation, so this statement was bound to raise some questions (as well as some ire).   How could Jesus’ disciples become more righteous than those who had dedicated their careers to religion?   The answer is found in those two “r” words – righteousness and religion.   Jesus’ disciples were to practice His religion, but they were also to emulate His...