Yesterday I talked about setting priorities. Hopefully you were able to think it through and name some of your non-negotiables. But let’s take the next step: Start to adjust your weekly routine to better reflect those priorities. Friends, this is where the rubber meets the road. Why? Because it involves change. Maybe a priority for … Continue reading Priorities: Where the rubber meets the road
change
Worth the risk
When it comes to a worship service, I’m usually the one doing the talking. So I was really looking forward to a service I attended on Tuesday night in Midland at Knox Church. My friend and colleague Alton Ruff said that when Jesus calls us to do something, it quite often involves going out of … Continue reading Worth the risk
Drunk on novelty?
One of the invisible values of our society is novelty. That means we often prioritize and cherish ideas that are NEW. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m a big fan of new ideas. The problem is when new ideas aren’t necessarily good ideas. When we’re star-struck with the “latest and greatest,” we get drunk on … Continue reading Drunk on novelty?
Jerked up by the collar
What do you expect when you worship God? Some of us expect to give something—whether it be our time, talent, money, voice, or prayers. But many of us expect to get something too—whether it be teaching, or friendship, or inspiration, or even comfort. Today I want to focus on the idea of comfort. Don’t get … Continue reading Jerked up by the collar
The first person you have to change
There's someone in your life who really needs to change something, right? Here's another way to look at things that is more productive, helpful and positive.
The pablum of the weak
Proverbs 15:19 “The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.” (NIV) Today's Thought Have you seen the Zootopia movie? It came out from Disney last year. In one scene, police officer Judy Hopps (a bunny) and Nick Wilde (a fox) go into the Department of Motor … Continue reading The pablum of the weak
Tweets, Selfies and other things that change
Imagine you were alive 10 years ago and got a glimpse of today’s news headlines. With new words like Tweet and Selfie, would some of them even make any sense? Probably not. Things change. Now image that today you could see some news headlines for 10 years from now. What new words would there be? … Continue reading Tweets, Selfies and other things that change
Looking at him like that offended too many people
Isaiah 53:2 “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him...” (NIV) Today's Thought When pastor Fred Craddock was in Oklahoma he saw a painting of Jesus. He was asked to look at it for his opinion. But it wasn’t the kind you’d expect to see. The colours were dark, including purples and blacks … Continue reading Looking at him like that offended too many people
The War on Christmas
Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father..." (ESV) Today's Thought Is there a war on Christmas? According to some people, there certainly is. The “war on Christmas” phrase sometimes comes up in news stories or conversations … Continue reading The War on Christmas