Growing hotter, cooling to lukewarm, or becoming cold: which describes your zeal for God? During a visit to Jerusalem, Jesus found men selling livestock and exchanging money in the temple courts. Angry and passionate, Jesus overturned tables, scattered money, and drove all the men and animals out of the temple area with a whip (John…
Marianne took a deep breath and grabbed the door handle. She had neglected the closet far too long. Her indifference had brought her life to a standstill and now, she could not find the things she needed each day. Marianne mustered just enough energy to open the closet door. Useless gifts, unreturned purchases, rubbish –…
Images of flattened homes, crushed cars, and building debris flitted across our TV screens in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Many of us felt saddened for the victims. But soon the reports became too overwhelming to bear. It was easier to flip the channel to a sitcom or a football game. Distractions keep our minds…
A bouquet of silk flowers sits on your table. Years ago, it was new. Its colors were vibrant and rich. The edges of the petals were crisp and strong. Now, the bouquet simply takes up space. The blossoms still look OK if you don’t peer too closely. But the once-deep reds are no longer passionate.…
During a hotel stay, you can call the front desk and ask for a wake up call. The hotel staff agrees to phone your room at your requested time to wake you. Even if you have an alarm clock or awaken naturally, a wake up call is a good idea. It serves as a warning…
Both brick and stone have been popular building materials for thousands of years. Yet in scripture God values working in stones, which represent individuality. Bricks require conformity, which leads to bondage. The Tower of Babel, for instance, was constructed with brick. The builders were eager for recognition and power. The result was confusion and separation (Genesis…
The church board was at an impasse in their budget discussions. “But this community needs a gymnasium now,” said Dan. “And our church has resources to build one.” “We’re about missions,” Rachel snapped back, glaring at him. “Two years ago, we voted to fund five missionaries to Mexico. Have you forgotten?” Frustration escalated. Barbs tossed…
If you’re like thousands of other drivers, you prepare for a road trip by checking the tires on your car (or minivan, camper, boat trailer, or RV) to make sure they’re road-worthy. But what about your spiritual set of tires – your relationship with God? A road-worthy relationship with God that’s in spiritual balance, like…
Wayne clicked off his cell phone with a sigh of relief. The call had interrupted him and went longer than he expected. Now he needed to complete the report that was due tomorrow. Fifteen minutes passed. Wayne tried to ignore a half dozen email and text pings. But perhaps he could use the time best…
Fix The First Thing First What have you tried to “fix” today? Maybe it’s a relationship … an illness … a personal weakness … a struggle at work …your checkbook … In our attempt to fix things, we tap into ourselves. We tap into all kinds of available resources: conferences, books, advice, techniques, tools. Yet…