“Surely I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20).Advent is the four-week period leading up to Christmas. It is from a Latin word meaning “coming.” At this time of year, we think about the first coming of Christ at Christmas. Makes sense. Historically, however, it is also a time to think about the “second coming” when Jesus … Continue reading How you live today—and the last day
choices
Your choices matter
“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 John 1:5-6).The apostle John has a particular way of writing. His style makes us see clear and definite contrasts. Throughout his New … Continue reading Your choices matter
The narrow gate
Life contains a baffling number of choices. But Jesus said: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). This is the word of … Continue reading The narrow gate
What you expose yourself to
Christian Keysers has an article about “mirror neurons” in a book called What’s Next? Dispatches From the Future of Science. He’s a super-smart guy with a Ph.D. in neuroscience. In it he highlights findings about how our brains operate. Do you ever feel happy when you see someone else laugh? Or hurt when someone’s in … Continue reading What you expose yourself to
What he did with his hardship
When we hear about other people going through hardship in a noble way, it can actually be a source of encouragement for us. First, we sympathize with their situation and offer help. But it can also make us think: ‘If they can do it, so can I!’ We can learn from their example. Recently I … Continue reading What he did with his hardship
Punishment? Or consequence?
Today I want to address something that sometimes comes up in conversations. It’s kind of a big one. Someone will say, “Because of all this bad stuff happening in my life I feel like God is punishing me.” Have you ever said something like that? Have you ever felt it? I get where it comes … Continue reading Punishment? Or consequence?
Until we are aware of God’s marching orders
Life is full of decisions. Small ones, easy ones, tough ones, and over-sized. But how do you make decisions in a faithful way? That is true to what God’s purposes might be for your life? Well, you’re right. That’s a big question. But here's some advice: Consult God FIRST. Carl George writes, “Until we are … Continue reading Until we are aware of God’s marching orders
The view from the top
Every day we’re faced with choices about what route we’re going to take. These come in the form of decisions. A lot of them are simple. You don’t even have to think about them. But there are also difficult choices. These are choices like whether to do the right thing or the easy thing; whether … Continue reading The view from the top
Not the easy thing
When you think of someone who is "strong," who do you picture? If you do this on a daily basis, I think you can be strong too.
Do you make decisions… or reactions?
A woman from Texas kept having her car vandalized. At first she discovered dents in the side. Then it was “keyed.” Someone ran their car key down the length of the vehicle ruining her paint job. So she had it fixed. And then it happened again! After an all-night stakeout she discovered that the culprit … Continue reading Do you make decisions… or reactions?
