Think About It

What would happen if we did two simple things:   tell the truth and take people at their word?   Well, we would be happier and things would be better.   So why don’t we do it?   We say we want to have better lives; but are we willing to make two simple changes in acceptable behavior?   While these things sound easy – and they really are – truth and trust come with a price.   When we tell the truth we risk exposing our failings or confronting the failings of others.   It is much easier to lie (or maybe tell a fib and color the truth) than it is to live in a truth-filled world.   When we take people at their word we become vulnerable.   We have to lower or defenses and risk being disappointed or duped.   By being guarded (or cynical) we develop a crust that becomes difficult for people to penetrate.   Sure, there are “logical” reasons for lies and distrust; but is it worth the risk?   Deceit and suspicion take a toll on us and ...

          As spiritual people, it is easy to fuss about modern society, but have you ever thought about what is wrong?   Well, it is obvious that the world doesn’t share our priorities; but interestingly, it is not something new nor is it inexplicable.   Centuries ago, the early Christians were told, “ Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.   For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.   The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”   (I John 2:15-17).   There is no mystery as to why the world is in the condition it is in, it is because satan has drawn people into his way of thinking by using three very simple ploys:   the lust of...

Every once in a while, I will share an old saying from days gone by and here goes another one.  “An excuse is just a tissue-papered lie.”.   Now for those of you who aren’t familiar with “tissue paper”, we aren’t talking about bathroom tissue, rather it is that stuff what is added to baskets or boxes to make the gifts seem a little more special.  It’s sort of like upscale gift wrap.  When we were kids, you knew something was special if it came with tissue paper.  Another quality of tissue paper is that was thin and really didn’t disguise the gift.  It isn’t like Christmas wrapping paper that could actually conceal the identity of what it wrapped.  Now with this background, we can get back to the analogy.  An excuse is just a lie that sounds nicer than an out-and-out lie, but really doesn’t conceal the deceit.  In essence, when we make an excuse we are basically lying and hope that the other person will be so impressed by the language in ...

           The other day a friend of mine used a phrase I had never heard – but, one that I am apt to use in the future.  During a discussion on stress and anxiety he contrasted a challenge many of us have when it comes to finding peace in troubling thought:  do we need to get our minds wrapped around it or do we need to get around our mind?  There are some times when, with a little work, we can change our perspective and get our minds to accept a new way of thinking; however, there are other times when our minds just won’t accept the new reality and it keeps us stirred up by refusing to rethink the issue.  It is during those times that we must take control over our obstinate will, tame it and retrain it.  No, it isn’t easy, but if we are going to overcome some of the mental, emotional and spiritual challenges we face we are going to have to find a way work around our old way of thinking (sometimes called “stinking thinking”) and t...

           I get confused sometimes.  With all the stuff going on in the world, I get distracted and forget to put first-things-first.  The other day I got to feeling out of sorts – then it dawned on me why.  I get so involved in what is going on around me that secondary issues begin to take precedence.  If I am ever going to be able to maintain focus and find contentment, I have to go back to the basics; to those fundamental things that are integral to my success as a person and a Christian.            That all sounds pretty good, doesn’t it; but what does it mean?  What it means is that our priority as children of God is not to put an end to spreading the virus … or electing the next president … or even saving the climate.  Sure, these may be socially noble pursuits, but that isn’t why we are here.  As Christians – those who have been delivered from a worldly life and ...

Several things have developed over the past couple of weeks that have reminded us to take the COVID-19 issue seriously.   Some spikes in cases in certain parts of the country as well as a need for some of us to get tested has caused us to remember that the virus is still with us and exposure to it can have an impact on our lifestyle. As I was thinking about this refocus, I got to wondering what it would take to remind us of our need to take Christianity seriously.   Unfortunately, like the temptation to overlook the importance of diligence in the pandemic, ignoring the need to remain diligent in our spiritual walk can have drastic consequences.   When we become too casual in our approach to Christianity we might feel the sting of accountability.   Whether it is in the deterioration of morals, a loss of evangelism or a lackadaisical approach to worship and service it is easy to lose our focus.    While there may be some similarities between the two situ...

          According to one of those “This Date In History” websites, today is the anniversary of Elvis Presley’s first professional performance.   On July 30, 1954 Elvis opened the Overton Park Shell Concert in Memphis by singing “That’s Alright Mama” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky”.   (In and of itself, putting those two songs together in a set predicts the type of career the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll would have.)   Oh, and by the way, who were the headliners for the show – Slim Whitman and Billy Walker.   Just about everyone I know is familiar with Elvis Presley, not everyone has heard of the other two guys.           The reason I bring up this event is that it is a reminder that we never know the potential of the people waiting in the wings.   I am sure that on that day in 1954 no one had a clue that the kid from Tupelo, Mississippi would not only eclipse the popularity of t...