Labels. We put them on clothing. But we also put them on people. Sometimes they’re labels other people put on us. Labels like “friend” or “classmate” or “co-worker.” But there are also labels like “jerk” or “ugly” or “enemy.” And do you know what? We put labels on ourselves as well. Some are good. But … Continue reading The one label that matters most
theupdevo
Tweaking your average life
Day in and day out—the same old thing. Do you ever get down about your average life? But just because your life is “normal” that doesn’t mean it can’t be exceptional. One of the ways to do that is with a “kingdom tweak.” It’s tweaking something you’re already doing to benefit God’s kingdom. Take Erica … Continue reading Tweaking your average life
Believing what we WANT to be true, verses what actually is
A 2007 Gallup poll revealed that 81% of people believe in heaven, but only 69% believe in hell. That seems strange to me. But it’s also very telling. We like to believe in things we like, but not in things we don’t. The Scottish theologian James Denney did a survey of Jesus’ teaching and found … Continue reading Believing what we WANT to be true, verses what actually is
Nomophobia and a technosabbath
According to Psychology Today there’s something called “nomophobia.” It’s “the fear of being without a mobile device, or beyond mobile phone contact.” I read about one study that said more people are even taking their smart phones with them into the shower. Maybe that’s you. Maybe it’s not. Either way, more and more of us are … Continue reading Nomophobia and a technosabbath
Desensitized
Unfortunately, because we get bombarded by stories of trauma and travesty on a daily basis, we’re at risk of desensitization. Seeing commercials about suffering children used to be alarming. Now they’re “normal.” Hearing about disasters or shootings used to be rare. Now they seem to be commonplace. Nearly every grocery store line I go through … Continue reading Desensitized
Chauffeur knowledge vs Real knowledge
In 1918 Max Plank won the Nobel Prize for physics. As was sometimes customary back then he went on a speaking tour. He traveled Germany with his chauffeur giving lectures on Quantum Mechanics. Every night he gave the same lecture. His chauffeur commented that it had become very predictable. In fact, the material had become … Continue reading Chauffeur knowledge vs Real knowledge
Tomorrow will worry about itself
Sometimes, no commentary is necessary: Jesus said… “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or … Continue reading Tomorrow will worry about itself
The ear of gossip
When I think of the word gossip I think of Rachel Lynde from Anne of Green Gables. She constantly snooped, made judgments, and then scattered her version of the “news” to other people around the town of Avonlea by flapping her unstoppable gums. But hear what it says in Proverbs 17:4 (NLT): “Wrongdoers eagerly listen to … Continue reading The ear of gossip
What’s a sundial in the shade?
Benjamin Franklin said, “Hide not your talents, they for use were made / What’s a sundial in the shade?” It’s a great reminder that we should use the talents God has given to us. They contribute to the positive impact we can make in the world. Writing in Ephesians 2:10, Paul said, “we are God’s … Continue reading What’s a sundial in the shade?
Jesus is coming back — look busy!
I once saw a bumper sticker that said: “Jesus is coming back – look busy!” It made me Lol. And although busyness doesn’t really matter, faithfulness certainly does! When people talk about the return of Christ to judge the world, end all evil, and usher in the glorious new heavens and the new earth, the … Continue reading Jesus is coming back — look busy!
