Think About It

Unfortunately, I live vicariously through my sports teams. If my favorite baseball team is doing well, “we” are on a hot streak and life is good. If my beloved college football team is in a slump, “we” are having a down year and I am a bit gloomier than normal. Now the interesting thing about this observation is the presence of the word “we”. I have absolutely nothing to do with their ability on the ball field, but somehow I connect my contentment to their success or failure. It just doesn’t make sense! It’s okay to be an interested bystander as long as I realize that’s all I am! Now, the reason I share this is because the same thing can be said about our relationship with much of what goes on in our community – and even in our nation. There are times when things are going well and we can enjoy life, but there are also times when things are going poorly and they adversely affect our emotions. When we see people all around the country doing bad things, it can tend to make us f...

Most places around the country are beginning the school year again. Some have been in class for a while and others are waiting until after Labor Day to get started, but before long, school will be in full swing. While education is the primary responsibility of those most directly involved (the students), there are a lot of ways we can help our children be successful in school such as being engaged with their teachers, monitoring their homework and providing good nutrition and plenty of sleep. We can help our children be successful by being involved. As I thought about our academic success, I got to thinking about our spiritual influence as well. Just as we can help our children do well in school, we can help them be successful in life as well. Centuries ago, when the Israelites were advancing as a nation, the Lord reminded His people, “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when yo...

While we appear to be experiencing an uptick in COVID cases, we are not anywhere near the hysteria that plagued us a couple years back. Honestly, right now it is hard to believe where we were a few years ago and I am genuinely thankful for how far we have come. Now, while I look back at the COVID years with sadness and distain, I did learn something from them. When something takes off with the ability to change the world, it can do it quickly! When something has the ability to be contagious and is constantly in front of everyone, it can invade every aspect of our lives. Now, you might be wondering why I am dredging up old, bad memories – and the answer is, I’m not. You see, my point is what would happen if we had a contagion of Christianity? What if we exposed to the world with the principles of Christianity to the same extent that COVID spread – how much of a difference could that make? In two years, the world came to know and be influenced by a virus, imagine the impact God’s...

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...