Think About It

What do we do when we make a mistake? There are a variety of ways to deal with our own failure, but the most responsible is to address it with those who have been negatively affected. If what we did was a sin, we should approach God seeking forgiveness. If our acts created a hardship for others we should find the ways to make it right with them. While these are adult responses to our failures, there is something else we should probably consider. When we have done what we need to do with others, are we willing to put the past behind us? Are we capable of moving forward with our lives by forgiving and forgetting our past? No, I am not talking about searing our consciences so that nothing bothers us – my point is a willingness to fail forward, then pick ourselves up and never look back. When King David reflected on God and his own shortcomings he wrote, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is...

Have you ever heard someone say something completely out of character for them? While this might have been them dropping a word that you never thought you’d hear them say the focus for this thought is when someone makes a statement that is either false or in opposition to what you expected from them. When we hear this type of message, the most natural response is to be shocked at what they said – and too often the next response is to go around and tell other people what that person said. We can get a lot of mileage out of, “You’ll never believe what Charlie said …”. While it might be tempting to spread the message, our first step should be to go to the person making the statement and asking them if what you heard was their intent. Sure, there are times when people will surprise us with a new belief, but all too often what we’ll find is summed up in a failure to communicate. Maybe it was a misspoken word on their part of even a mistake in hearing or processing their original messa...

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...