Lately I’ve been thinking about how wildly impressionable we humans are. It’s not always a bad thing, but I think it really is the truth. One study I read suggested that you’re more likely to have warm and favourable thoughts toward someone you’re talking to if you’re holding a warm drink at the same time. … Continue reading A companion of fools suffers harm
faith
Sin is progressive
“Sin is progressive.” That’s what doctor Rosaria Butterfield writes in her book The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert. “That is, while sin does not stay contained by type or trope, if ignored, excused, or enjoyed, sin grows and spreads like poison ivy.” When it comes to sin, we often we employ the ostrich strategy. … Continue reading Sin is progressive
Why we’re sponges
If you put a sponge in murky water for three minutes, and then take it out and squeeze it, what is going to come out? Murky water. And if you put another sponge in pure, clear water for three minutes, and then take it out and squeeze it, what is going to come out? Pure, clear water. … Continue reading Why we’re sponges
The defining moment of your story?
Gerald Sittser was a professor at Whitworth University who was in a horrible car crash. He was hit by a drunk driver. Amazingly he walked out of the car with no major injuries. But he wasn’t the only one in his car. His mother was in the car, but didn’t walk out. She was killed. … Continue reading The defining moment of your story?
The truth about what you casually say
What do you believe? Really? Not what you SAY you believe, but what you ACTUALLY believe? Sometimes you’ll hear it said that how you spend your time and energy is the true measure of your true beliefs. Why? Because it’s a practical demonstration of your actual priorities. But today I’d like to suggest something else: What … Continue reading The truth about what you casually say
The words that are inspired inspire
Have you ever played Scrabble? The idea is simple: Make words for points, and whoever gets the most points wins. But issues can arise when someone puts a word on the board that the other player doesn’t recognize. If challenged it has to be looked up in an agreed-upon dictionary. The word only stays if it’s … Continue reading The words that are inspired inspire
God’s heart?
Have you ever heard someone say, “Hey, I know you’re going through a tough time, but don’t worry: God won’t give you more than you can handle.” It’s often well-intentioned. And some people think it’s from the Bible. (It’s not.) A part of the reason this expression concerns me is because I think it misleads … Continue reading God’s heart?
Integrity — no matter what
In 1985 a tornado ripped through Barrie, Ontario—the city where I live. Just recently I was told about something that happened in the midst of that wicked storm. A Mennonite person saw a dollar on the sidewalk and returned it to City Hall. So if anyone had lost it they would be able to find … Continue reading Integrity — no matter what
Fertilizing joy
Joy. It’s listed as one of the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. That means it’s something God grows in you when you become a Christian... “love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” For some, joy grows quickly. For others, not so much. But is there anything you can do to … Continue reading Fertilizing joy
Standing out and blending in
I’m a Christian who is also trying to be a Christian. Does that sound strange? What I mean is that I am a Christian because I have professed my loyalty to Jesus as the Lord of my life. But I’m also trying to be a Christian because I know there’s still a lot of work … Continue reading Standing out and blending in
