Here are some thoughts I have had in regards to living out the Christian faith.
I’ve written about the power of repetition before. I was reminded again of its importance by a book I recently read, Brain Rules. Author John Medina includes a section on how repeating helps your memory. Let’s do one of the experiments from the book. Gaze at the following series of symbols for about 30 seconds … Read more
Jesus went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. Three different times he prayed basically the same prayer. It struck me that if Jesus, who was in perfect communion with God – one in the same – prayed the same basic prayer three times, we ought to also be persistent with our prayer! There is … Read more
Today we remember Martin Luther King, Jr. I praise the Lord for the work he did through this man of faith. And I’m amazed at how Martin Luther King, Jr. stood strong through those seasons in life. We all know his work needs to continue and we need to keep praying for our nation and … Read more
Vision is discovered, not invented. The best way to discover the vision for your ministry or organization is to spend time with Jesus, in His Word. From there, you will be drawn into God’s dream which is always more perfect than we can imagine. Seeking the vision requires these things: 1. Seeking Vision Requires: Confidence … Read more
The crazy thing happens just one chapter after the miraculous and famous fall of Jericho. In the process of that miraculous conquest, someone among the Israelite nation, unbeknownst to anyone else, disobeys the direct orders from God and steals for himself some of the plunder. He takes a robe and money that he covets and … Read more
Here’s one characteristic of a healthy team – whether it’s your church staff, your family, your volunteer worship band, your co-workers or any other team you are part of…. Laughter. Laughter is a by-product of joy, connection and friendship. It’s a result of having time for stories, memories and personal connections. Laughter is a result … Read more
Patience is one of the many things wisdom provides for us in life. It’s been said we judge others by their actions and we judge ourselves by our intentions. When we act irrationally or emotionally, our minds justify our behavior, but we tend to pounce at the first offense of others. I like what the … Read more
Why do people attend conferences each year? Why do executives meet on conference calls with their teams multiple mornings a week? Why do teachers review the material before a test? Because repetition is key to remembering, internalizing, and staying motivated. For the same reasons, we need to hear and engage God’s word repetitively. The Bible … Read more
It doesn’t take long to change a routine. Do something every day for a couple months and suddenly it seems you’ve done it forever! We’ve passed the three-month mark of the 2020 global pandemic. In our home state, we’re moving into the fourth of five stages, which opens a few more doors. What new habits … Read more
Clutter will congest the opportunity to fully enjoy life. As someone who naturally keeps too much stuff, I’m speaking from experience. During a couple decades of marriage, I’ve watched my wife naturally keep things simple, leaving me with a small pile of stuff in the basement that I haven’t been able to part with. I’m … Read more