We are now in Lent—the period of preparation leading up to Easter. Some people “give something up” for Lent. Think of it like spiritual training. Just how an athlete might make certain sacrifices to train for a big event, so too is there a tradition of Christians making certain sacrifices at this time of year … Continue reading Training… for godliness
focus
Focusing on good and godly things (a tip)
If you focus your mind on good and godly things, your mind will be focused on good and godly things. Makes sense, right? But if you focus your mind on negative and ungodly things, your mind will be focused on negative and ungodly things! To the Philippians, Paul says: “whatever is true, whatever is noble, … Continue reading Focusing on good and godly things (a tip)
A crisis creates clarity
A crisis tends to create clarity about what’s important. Many of the things we were really concerned about even two months ago are now way down the priority list. We’re now dealing with essentials. And what is essential? Our hope in God. And the people around us. Sure, there are other things. But those are … Continue reading A crisis creates clarity
When there are barking dogs all around you
A high school basketball team was behind by one point with just seconds left in the game. So they came up with a clever play. They had possession of the ball. When the referee blew the whistle to resume play, they threw the ball inbounds to a player close to the basket. But at the … Continue reading When there are barking dogs all around you
The antidote to human rivalry
Rivalry is a bigger part of our lives than we often realize. Maybe you have an actual rival, someone you’re always competing with—maybe in sports, at school, or in the office. And although what I’m about to say can apply to those situations, let’s think more broadly. It’s easy to continually compare ourselves to others. … Continue reading The antidote to human rivalry
Order of Operations… in math and life
I forget which grade I was in but it was definitely high school. And it was the day of the big math test. I remember that the problems were complicated. You had to follow all the mathematical rules, what the teacher called the “order of operations.” If you didn’t, your entire answer would get messed … Continue reading Order of Operations… in math and life
The truly consecrated soul
We all carry things around with us. Throughout our days. Throughout our lives. I’m talking about more than books, backpacks, or phones. I’m talking about invisible burdens and unnecessary commitments. They could include… -guilt about a choice you made five years ago -a to-do list of irrelevant things that don’t really matter -self-pity -or even … Continue reading The truly consecrated soul
Why willingly enlist for chaos?
Author and Professor John Leith describes simplicity like this: “Simplicity if very close to sincerity. It clears away the ornaments, the ostentations, the contrivances, and pretenses that obscure the real.” I like that. I like the idea of sweeping away whatever obscures “the real” in my life. Do you? In 2 Corinthians 1:12 Paul writes … Continue reading Why willingly enlist for chaos?
Getting back in tune
Instruments need tune ups. Pianos fall out of key, and guitars go out of tune. Well, guess what. Every once in a while, people need tune-ups too. One of the ways to do that is through a spiritual retreat or time-out. I’m not talking about a conference, workshop, or road trip. What I’m talking about is … Continue reading Getting back in tune
An unworthy focus
To those of you who are Christians, let me ask a very direct question: Is Jesus the centre of your Christianity? It’s easy for it to become about something else. If we’re not careful, our religion can become about how well we observe a certain set of rules, or about a certain denomination, or a … Continue reading An unworthy focus
