At first you establish your habits, and then your habits establish you. Let me explain what I mean by that and why it matters. If you do something consistently over a long period of time it becomes a habit. Some habits are good and others are bad. Smoking is a bad habit. Eating well is … Continue reading Make a plan
priorities
A few of our favourite things?
My friend and colleague Jeff Loach told a story about Ray Stedman, a pastor from the 20th century. It’s one of those stories that helps us gain some perspective about priorities. Stedman flew to a town for a speaking engagement but the airline lost his luggage. Those were the days when preachers didn’t speak without … Continue reading A few of our favourite things?
The best thing first
What unites us as God’s church? I think it’s a productive thing to think about—not only for my or your local church, but for the church as it stretches all over the globe. Is it a certain political cause? What about a social justice issue? What about events which are designed to have people smiling … Continue reading The best thing first
Choked by pleasure
Choking is a very powerful and disturbing metaphor. Imagine strong, angry hands wrapped around your neck. With that in mind, listen to how Jesus describes a group of people in Luke 8:14. They hear God’s word, “but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do … Continue reading Choked by pleasure
What do you need the most?
In an impoverished village in India, a missionary and his co-workers were trying to improve the living conditions of the locals, including securing clean drinking water. Through an interpreter he asked a young girl a question: “What do you need the most?” She was about nine or ten years old, covered in dirt, and didn’t … Continue reading What do you need the most?
Gollum and precious things
In The Lord of the Rings there is a character named Gollum. He becomes obsessed with possessing a ring of great power. Gollum even kills to get it. Over time, he becomes infatuated with the ring, even calling it “my precious.” He has lost all perspective, and it distracts him from other things. He hates … Continue reading Gollum and precious things
Our Father’s business
Mary, Joseph and Jesus went with a caravan of other people to Jerusalem for the annual Passover festival. On the way back, Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus wasn’t with them. They broke from the group and headed back to Jerusalem to find him. “After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting … Continue reading Our Father’s business
Not an accessory
Today I’d like to share a word with my fellow followers of Jesus. This is for the spiritually mature, and for the spiritually immature; for those who have been walking the road for a long time, and for those who are new to the path; for those who are usually confident, and for those who … Continue reading Not an accessory
What’s valuable when the Titanic is sinking
There’s a story from when the Titanic was going down. A wealthy woman from first class was fortunate enough to be put into one of the lifeboats. Just before she got in she ran back to her room to grab something. She ran PAST her expensive jewelry and grabbed three oranges instead. But why? Because … Continue reading What’s valuable when the Titanic is sinking
When success isn’t success
A lot of people want to be “successful.” In fact, since so many people think that success is a good thing, and since the drive for success can be so powerful, we can rationalize doing questionable things to get there. But it’s not success if you fail at virtue. In Colossians, Paul talks about putting … Continue reading When success isn’t success
