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Tag Archives: God
Rightsizing
One of the few benefits in this stumbling economy is that we all get cut a little slack.
Three years ago, if our business was failing, we were a foolhardy entrepreneur. If we were laid off from work, we were a bad employee. If we were unable to pay our mortgage we were reckless.
Nowadays, those of us who are struggling are able to blame the economy and get somewhat of a pass. It’s because misery has plenty of company.
But, if most of us are honest with ourselves, we’ll realize the difficult economy didn’t cause the problem. It merely exposed the problem. We were all living above our pay grade.
Posted in Christian Living, Marriage Enrichment, Men's Ministry, Workplace Ministry
Tagged budgets, contentment, faith, God, Jesus, money, stewardship, workplace ministry
3 Comments
Circumstantial Evidence
How do we know God is really there? Is He listening to us? Does He truly care about me?
For most of us, we rely heavily on circumstantial evidence to answer these questions. We measure His worth through the blessings He shares in our life. If our bank account is hefty, we’re feeling safe and in control. If our children are healthy, we feel He’s answering our prayers. If our marriage is strong, we’re feeling loved by Him.
The Button That Will Change Your Life
“How do I change my life?”
Few topics have reaped more of a financial windfall than this foundational premise behind the self-help industry. The merchants of this commercial empire use talk shows, books, audio tapes and videos to tout radical insights in how people can change their lives to fulfill their greatest desires.
Most of the time, when we pursue these short lived efforts it results in having us throw up our arms in despair. Even worse, it may result in actual change which merely directs us more resolutely down a false pathway. Now, it takes us much longer to realize we’ve put all of our eggs into the wrong basket.
Posted in Christian Living, Evangelism, Exploring Faith, Marriage Enrichment, Men's Ministry, Workplace Ministry
Tagged change, choices, Christian, crystal meth, family life, God, Jesus, life-change, meth, ministry, renewal, self-help, transformation
2 Comments
The Ghost Train
Just enjoyed a three-day rafting trip on the Eel River in Northern California, and like most outdoor enthusiasts I’m experiencing a short memory. Fading in the background are the miseries of icy rain, trying to set up tents in 60 mile-per-hour gusts and the ensuing strains of mild hyperthermia. Our five-raft, two-kayak entourage was alone on the river for reasons the weather made obvious.
Left in my mind are the glorious visions of green rolling hills, a plethora of waterfalls, the adrenaline rush of Class 3’s and a Class 4, and the lulling pleasures of a Mark Twainesque journey. And then, of course, was the Ghost Train.
The Shoe Shine Glory
One of the amazing things about God is He teaches you in such unique ways and through the most unexpected teachers. My men’s Bible study learned this firsthand when we were joined about six months ago by a 68-year-old man name Ben.
Ben became a part of our group right after spending his prior three decades in federal prison. He was introduced to us by a Pastor in prison ministry who was concerned about Ben’s transition to the outside world and wanted our group of men to support him through the process. We embraced the challenge, looking forward to sharing our wisdom as Ben began his new life.
Finding Strength In The Desert
One of the most studied passages of the Bible depicts the temptation of Jesus Christ (Matt 4:1-11). After fasting for 40 days and nights in the desert, Jesus is tested by Satan, who offers him food, wealth and power. The traditional teaching portrays this as an example of Jesus resisting temptation when he was at the weakest, most vulnerable point in his nascent ministry.
But was Jesus really at his weakest?
In reality, he was isolated from the distractions and influence of the world, and reliant upon God the Father. Can we not learn from this how to rely on God’s strength and not our own?
Posted in Christian Living, Evangelism
Tagged Christian, difficult times, faith, God, hope, Jesus Christ, pain, Real God, Real Life, suffering
2 Comments
Does Your Marriage Need Glasses?
Remember your wedding day? With a few notable exceptions, most will describe the weeks before, during and after the ceremony as one of the most exciting times of their lives.
But, then what happened? Where went the passion, excitement and adventure of it all? Is marriage destined to have the shelf life of a loaf of bread, growing stale and moldy as each day passes?
Contrary to the persuasions of the world, it’s not wrinkles, stretch marks and bald spots that wear down the joy. It’s what’s referred to as “The Drift.” This is a phenomenon where day by day and year by year, we slowly drift apart, trending back toward the life of selfishness and loneliness we were accustomed to prior to getting married.
