What happened to “Amen, thank God”?

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Back when I was new to the faith, I learned that when I’m wronged, humiliated, ignored, misunderstood, judged, despised, passed over by a [...]

I feel…

… sad. … weak. … angry. … depressed. … embarrassed. … hurt. … betrayed. … lost. … despised. … ignored. … shy. … discouraged. … lonely. … confused. … revolted. Yeah, so? What really matters is not how you feel, but what you’re going to do about the situation. Be practical.

One day of righteous anger

You can achieve more in one day of righteousanger than in one year of passivity.

Tried everything

Sometimes despair takes over and you think there’s nothing more you can do. You’ve tried everything, or so you think. A voice hammers your brain telling you the best solution is to give up or do something crazy. Stop. The good news is there’s always something you haven’t tried yet. The bad news is I [...]

Initiative is taken, not given

No one can give you initiative. That’s something you must take for yourself. Be bolder Take more risks Don’t fear looking ridiculous sometimes Speak up Step up Try new things Be the first to respond Accept more challenges That’s taking initiative.

No pleasure in your enemy’s disgrace

In lament, David ripped his clothes to ribbons. All the men with him did the same. They wept and fasted the rest of the day, grieving the death of Saul and his son Jonathan, and also the army of God and the nation Israel, victims in a failed battle. 2 Samuel 1:11,12 One of the [...]

Future and past are never here

Ever noticed that the future and the past are never here (it’s always today)? What could be the practical implications of that thought for you, right now?

Pastor on vacation

The news

Most of us know this but we tend to forget:  The news doesn’t tell you what’s going on. It tells you only what the news bureaus want you to know or think is going on.  Remember that.  Don’t let others do the thinking for you. 

The big picture

Just in case you’ve lost sight of the big picture. “I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work,” the Lord says. “For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the [...]