Tag: Christian Life
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Spirit or Flesh?
I, like most people, am consumed with thoughts of my flesh. I have the unpleasant experience of seeing myself in the mirror first thing every morning. I feel every ache and pain when getting up out of a chair. My physical senses are bombarded with…
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Father’s Day Thoughts
Fathers have a unique, God-given capacity to make an impression on their children. My dad has been gone for two Father’s Days now, yet his legacy continues to impact me deeply. I cherish many special memories with him, including the time he took me to…
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Influence with God, Influence with Others
I had a doubly awesome experience this week. I was at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville to discuss writing the sequel to the Christian classic Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God. That would have been amazing enough, but my two sons, Mike…
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Lessons from Little League
As a grandparent, one of my official duties is attending all Little League games, ballet recitals, Christmas concerts, and graduations. It’s a full-time job! I spend a lot of time in the audience watching other people, which can be quite an education. My twin grandsons…
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Leadership or Manipulation?
The line between leadership and manipulation is thin at times. Quality leadership moves people from where they are to where God wants them to be. At its best, leadership is a noble undertaking that glorifies God and blesses people. Manipulation, on the other hand, persuades…
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Along the Way
Leaders tend to be goal oriented. They are on a mission, and the sooner it is accomplished the better! That attitude often leads to success . . . but not always. As a recovering task-oriented person myself, few things give me more pleasure than checking…
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Perpetual Disappointment
In today’s polarized culture, now may not be the best time to broach this controversial topic. Views on the matter vary, and some people hold their opinion with great conviction. Nonetheless, I feel that I am well-qualified to address this painful but real issue. I…
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Meanwhile…
Reading the same Bible verse in more than one translation can be a helpful exercise. Translators choose different English words to capture the meaning or intent of the original Hebrew or Greek. It’s fine to have a preferred translation, but studying key verses in several…
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The Truth of the Matter
People today have become accustomed to spin, exaggeration, and reframing. Or, as it used to be called, falsehood. For months leading up to the most recent election, my mailbox was packed with mailouts. Whether I was watching a sporting event or a children’s cartoon with…
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Three Kings
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered.” -Luke 2:1 We’re all familiar with the popular (if biblically inaccurate) Christmas carol, “We Three Kings.” The trio frequently appears in Christmas pageants across the land. But there…