It’s difficult to maintain our spiritual equilibrium in the moral and ethical chaos of the world we live in. As followers of Christ, we are to have balanced relationships with those in the world. Jesus said that we are to be in the world but not be of the world. We’re to live life as a positive example, not allowing the world to return to mold or shape us negatively. We are not to jump head-first into the world’s value systems; however, we are not to withdraw into isolation … [Read more...] about Spiritual Equilibrium
Culture
Godly Respect
While a large majority of people would agree that respect is a crucial factor in society, the lack of respect – disrespect – continues to increase in the world around us. Two areas of society where disrespect is most witnessed are education and politics. But disrespect permeates all areas of society, not only in the U.S., but around the globe. Personal relationships are severed by divisive arguments instead of healed through respectful discussions. Interestingly, God's way to … [Read more...] about Godly Respect
Training to Be Leaders
The early 1900’s was a heroic age of exploration. Limits were pushed on all fronts and among these was the British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition led by Ernest Shackleton. From 1914 to 1916, the expedition was to cross Antarctica. They had priorities and a sense of urgency. Shackleton chose his team of twenty-seven officers, scientists, and seamen carefully, not hiding the danger, nor the glory if successful. After the Endurance was destroyed by winter’s ice in the Weddell Sea, … [Read more...] about Training to Be Leaders
Conflict Resolution
We can’t get around the fact that in this world we’ll have conflict. How many times have we said the wrong thing or displayed the wrong attitude, knowing that it has caused offense? Conflict stems from a lack of understanding the different things that motivate each of us: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” (James 4:1 ESV). God’s Holy Spirit can’t come to its fullest when we’re divided, and that disunity corrupts … [Read more...] about Conflict Resolution
Encourage One Another
How many times have we been reminded by life experience that the path due to our calling is not always simple and easy to follow? We are instructed to enter the Kingdom of God by “the narrow gate” (Matthew 7:14). Yet Christ was aware of the challenges that His followers would face. He left us, from the apostles forward, with encouragement through a solid focus on the big picture. Encouragement is a vehicle to strengthen relationships and build bonds. We, as part of God’s family, have a … [Read more...] about Encourage One Another
Keep On a-Changin’!
In Jeremiah 17:9 we read the following: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Does this refer to followers of God’s also? It basically refers to those without God, but those who are making a diligent effort to truly follow God do not get away scot-free. It would probably be fair to say for those trying to follow God’s way: “The heart is still occasionally deceitful, and sometimes still not in harmony with God’s laws. We must, with God’s help, get … [Read more...] about Keep On a-Changin’!
Conquering Doubt with Discernment
The internet is a strange place. Filled with all sorts of information, it's possible to get lost for days in the vast chasm of witty memes, Instagram food photos, and stark news articles proclaiming the fall of western civilization. In this chaotic landscape of data all is not what it seems, and we can easily grow dubious. “Is that really an epically muscular guy picking up a car?” “Did she actually cook a meal using nothing but a matchstick, a cotton swab, and a tin can?” We all know … [Read more...] about Conquering Doubt with Discernment