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
priorities
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
Subconscious worship
I’m a firm believer that what you do shapes you. I’ve talked about that before. Your daily habits impact your thinking and your decisions. When you pray regularly, you’re more likely to see God at work in your daily life. And when you serve or volunteer regularly, you’re more likely to feel like the hands … Continue reading Subconscious worship
Drinking Culture’s Kool-Aid?
James 4:4 (CSB) says: “Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?” Let’s think about that much-neglected passage for a moment. First, “friendship with the world” means just thoughtlessly approving and going along with the values of the society around us. Second, James teaches that when we do that, we are … Continue reading Drinking Culture’s Kool-Aid?
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
Piercing themselves with many griefs
We’ve been talking about idolatry, and how, when many of us hear that word, we think of ancient peoples bowing down to man-made statues. But our understanding of idolatry is often too narrow. Here’s how I think of it: Idolatry is giving first place priority to something or someone who isn’t God. With that definition … Continue reading Piercing themselves with many griefs
What is your (real) goal?
On Monday we talked about idolatry. When many of us hear that word, we think of ancient peoples bowing down to man-made statues. But our understanding of idolatry might be too narrow. Here’s how I define modern idolatry. It’s giving first place priority to something or someone who isn’t God. With that definition in mind, … Continue reading What is your (real) goal?
Modern idols?
When we hear the word "idolatry," many of us think of ancient peoples bowing down to man-made statues. In Exodus 20:3 God says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” No other gods? Check. No problem there! But our understanding of idolatry might be too narrow. Here’s how I define modern idolatry. It’s giving first … Continue reading Modern idols?
