Think About It

Are we easily embarrassed? Now, on one hand, it is probably good to embarrass easy especially when it comes to issues of modesty and propriety. It is good to feel a twinge of embarrassment when we find ourselves in compromising situations. However, there is another type of embarrassment that is not so positive. Do we ever felt like other people are intentionally trying to embarrass us? Do we feel like people are putting us down in social situations to make us feel ashamed? While it can be easy to feel that way, the question is whether what they are doing is intentional or is the issue that our pride is just getting in the way of our good sense? What I have found is that, while there are some people who might set out to belittle us on purpose, if most people do something that is embarrassing to us, it is unintentional. So, if that is the case – and they aren’t trying to make us feel bad – why do we feel bad? Could it be that our ego is just too sensitive and we so proud that we...

When we are taught to, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2), it sounds so simple, doesn’t it? I mean it’s just natural to want to reach out to help people. While it sounds easy, the issue is that it can be difficult – and I am not just talking about the problems. The circumstances people find themselves in can be yucky and unpleasant. While this is true, feeling uncomfortable can’t be a copout. We aren’t told to help each other when it is sterile and convenient, we are told to be there wherever people need us. To do this, we must learn to feel comfortable being uncomfortable. No, we may not like it, but if we are going to live the way we have been called to live – and serve the way we have been called to serve – we have to be willing to go wherever we need to go. The best way to do this is to keep in mind what we are hoping to accomplish. By helping others were are fulfilling the royal law of love – and it just doesn’t get any bet...

Are you looking for a way to make a difference in someone’s life this weekend? Here are a few suggestions: 1. Take a bag of food to someone who might be hungry. Many of our food pantries are closed on the weekend, so food availability may be somewhat scare. You can either prearrange to deliver it or do a drop and dash. Either way, you might be able help an immediate need. 2. Take someone to worship services. There are people who would like to attend a church service, but may not have transportation. Reach out to them and give them a ride. 3. Mow a neighbor’s lawn. Do you know of someone in your neighborhood whose yard needs some attention? Rather than fuss about it, why not cut it? Maybe they are working extra shifts or their mower is temporarily unavailable, so why not volunteer to help? Now, you might need to be somewhat creative in how you approach them, but if you do it out of a spirit of service, your heart will show. 4. Babysit the neighbors’ children while their...

Would you purchase a house if didn’t hadn’t a solid foundation? Even if the people of the house said, “Don’t worry about it, the house has served us well. We feel like it will work for you too.” would you ignore a bad foundation? This seems to be kind of a silly discussion, doesn’t it? Even if they were nice, well-meaning people, we wouldn’t put our faith in a house that had foundation problems. So, why are we willing to put our emotional and spiritual faith in something that has a tenuous foundation? There are a lot of philosophies out there that are grounded on something less than a solid spiritual foundation. It might have its roots in wanting to help people or in some political or social movement; but unless what we are called to believe has its foundation in the Bible, let’s pass. When David praised God, he wrote, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 1...

We live in a violent world. Our communities are filled with people who are taking advantage of others. We watch as people live in constant conflict with those around them. (You may be wondering if you should stop reading now – that’s enough negativity for one day – but hang in there with me, I do have a point coming.) It is no secret that people around us are in turmoil, so what should we do? On one hand it would be great if we could just hide behind our gated walls and not make an appearance until it is safe to do so. However, if we who are good conscientious people don’t do something, things are bound to get worse! We can’t sit around and complain about how bad things are, we have to get involved or there is no way it will get any better. However, with that in mind, we must also remember that we can’t make people play nice! We can do what we can do, but eventually those involved in the conflicts must make a decision about how they are going to live. We can’t take it persona...

Faith is one of those interesting religious words that can have multiple layers of meanings. On one hand it can mean some kind of confident expectation, but there is another one that has caught my attention. Faith can also be defined as trust combined with obedience. (Have you ever heart the song, “Trust And Obey”?) When we discuss faith this way, it is more than just sitting back and watching God work, it is also believing in what He is accomplishing and doing our part to help. It is with this definition in mind that I take us back to a very familiar passage, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10). First, we must admit that the only way we can be saved is through the grace of God, but that doesn’t mean that we can sit bac...

The other night Jeane and I watched a show called, “Facing Nolan”. It was a biography of the Major League Baseball pitcher, Nolan Ryan. As you might imagine, it was a tribute to the Hall of Famer, but the unsung hero in the show was Nolan’s wife, Ruth. Having been a part of his life since before he made it big, she became an important part of his success. No, her expertise wasn’t in the technical advice she gave him, rather she was able to keep Ryan grounded and focused. We’ll never know how famous Ryan would have been without her, but with her he became one of the greatest pitchers in the modern era. As I watched the show, I got to thinking about how blessed I am to have my wife of 42 years in my life. She has been there thick and thin (and thinner). She is a major part of the reason I have been able to do what I have been able to do. When Lemuel praises the “Worthy Woman” of Proverbs 31, he describes my sentiments, “An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above...