Think About It

Have you noticed how easy it is to see the failures in the world? We are good about noticing all of the limitations of our systems. We are fascinated by the gruesome details. We are eager to chime in with our opinions on the controversial topics to keep them smoldering. While it is natural to see the problems, the issue is when we focus on these things we are apt to stay discouraged and disheartened. When we seek out things that keep us stirred up, we are bound to stay down. While it is easy to get riled up, it is important to remind ourselves that we have to look hard to find the good. The previous statement is true on two levels. First, good news doesn’t make the front page nor is it discussed on social media or even at home over dinner. We have to make it a point to find it. Second, it is important to look for good news. If we try to live on a steady diet of negativism, it is going to eat us up! Not only will it have a negative impact on us emotionally and spiritually, i...

I have thinking about how smart I am lately. While that might come across as an arrogant statement, believe me it isn’t because the older I get, the less I feel like I know. I find myself shaking my head and asking “Why?” and coming up with the answer, “I don’t really know.”. People, especially religious people, often pride themselves as always being able to have an answer, but is that really a requirement for believers? Sure, we need to have an answer for why we do what we do or believe what we believe, but do we have to be able to explain the world? I know there are a lot of things I don’t know and, if I were honest, I don’t think I am the only one who needs to feel that way. I think it is important to not only admit there are things we don’t know, but we should also seek out wise people who seem to have insight. One of the greatest sages of all times was King Solomon. The Bible says of Him, “In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and...

Have you noticed how easy it is to avoid doing good? I mean if we have reason to do good, most of us will jump at the opportunity; but we are also apt to avoid going out of our way to help. If we can find an excuse to not do something, it is tempting to take the out. When someone we know and respect needs help, most of us are willing to give; but when we are ask to donate to someone that we don’t know – or more importantly – someone who lives in questionable circumstances, we are less apt to donate. It is tempting to process our liberality through questions like: “Are they helping themselves?” … “What is their immigration status?” … “How many times have they been helped before?” … or “What are others doing to help them?”. While there is a human legitimacy to each of these questions, they seem to ring hollow when compared to the scriptural admonition, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” ...

I don’t pay all that much attention to the British monarchy, but the recent death of Prince Philip at the age of 99 got me to thinking about how long the Queen Mother and her immediate family have been ruling Great Britain. Queen Elizabeth has been on the throne since February 6, 1952 – that is almost 70 years! Coming from a nation that goes through presidents every four years or so, that is impressive. If my math is right, this royal family has lasted through fourteen different U. S. Presidents (from Truman to Biden). I don’t know much about how the British government works, but that deserves a tip of the cap. As I thought about the royal family, I got to thinking about our Eternal King. Even the impressiveness of Queen Elizabeth pales in comparison to the God who created the world and continues to sustain it today. Additionally, the future of God’s sovereignty is secure because His nature is eternal and His power is supreme. Even if Prince Philip’s funeral hadn’t been curtaile...

  I feel the need for a little positivity … so, here goes: 1.   Thanks to everyone who has helped out a community member in need .   I especially appreciate those who have gone out of their way to help rescue people from dangers and hazards. 2.   Thanks to everyone who has taken care of people during the pandemic .   Whether you cared for someone who was sick or helped people avoid getting the disease, I appreciate it. 3.   Thanks to all the teachers who have invested in educating our children .   The last two years have not been what you signed up to do, I appreciate you doing it anyway. 4.   Thanks to all the first responders who keep us safe each and every day .   Some in our society feel compelled to discount the jobs you do or criticize the way you do them, but I appreciate your dedication to our community. 5.   Thanks to everyone who has said kind things to me over the last few weeks .   I have been blessed to be abl...

Have you noticed how “tough” it has become to live in this world? When we listen to people describe how difficult it is to be a Christian in modern society or how tough it is to keep a job or how difficult it is to participate in citizenship and be law-abiding citizens it almost seems like we have fallen into the twilight zone and woken up with the whole world against us. Yet, is life really that tough? Is being a good citizen as difficult as leaving behind a wife and a two-year-old daughter and fighting for freedom in a faraway country as a member of our armed forces? Is having someone snicker at us because we believe in biblical creation more difficult than having to conduct underground worship services or being burned at the stake for our faith? Is having to endure countless Zoom.com meetings or actually driving to a job in the middle of rush hour traffic as cumbersome as digging out coal from a mine or farming in the middle of a famine? I don’t mean to minimize struggles, bu...

I don’t know much about Steve Maraboli other than he is a life coach. Honestly, I haven’t researched his standards or his convictions, but I did come across an interesting quote of his in which he said, “How would your life be different if … You walked away from gossip and verbal defamation? Let today be the day … You speak only the good you know of other people and encourage others to do the same.”. As I read this observation, I was stuck by how it was slightly askew from much of the advice given about gossip. Typically when we issue warnings about gossip we tell people they shouldn’t spread it; but Maraboli seems to go a step further in telling people that they should not only avoid gossiping, they should stop other people from talking about others. By walking away from gossip and speaking good about others, we set the tone for the type of information we internalize. Interestingly, this isn’t the modern creation of a kinder, gentler era, this is something that has been require...