OUTLINE: The Dichotomy of Ps 73:22-23In order to “see it all as truth” (Eph 5), we must fully recognize/accept all influences in our lives. Our emotions may range from being “embittered…senseless” to walking with the Lord (and everything in-between). There’s nothing wrong with emotions, so long as we have a grip on them, righteously judging […]
Raise your hand if you’re petrified of public speaking. Glossophobia or speech anxiety is the fear of public speaking. The word glossophobia derives from the Greek glossa, meaning tongue, and phobos, fear or dread. Some people have this specific phobia, while others may also have broader social phobia or social anxiety disorder. — Wikipedia Statistically, the
Disability, disadvantage, disband, disbelief, discomfort, disconnect, and discourage. What do all of these words have in common? The answer is obvious – it’s the prefix “dis.” Enact, enable, encircle, encompass, and encourage. Likewise, “en” is the common prefix in the list. According to dictionary.com, “dis” is a Latin prefix meaning “apart, asunder, away, utterly; or having a private,
The Win-Win of Encouragement Read More »
We might drive our car twenty miles per day all week without a refill. However, if we drive five hundred miles, we’ll likely run out of gas. There are two fundamental considerations to filling our gas tanks. First, we must actually take the time to fill it (dah!). Second, a full tank of gas will
Refilling Our Gas Tanks Read More »
What’s more impressive: a person who never fails or the one who fails constantly but keeps getting back up? My vote is for the second person. For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again. — Proverbs 24:16a And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need
The Value of Failure Read More »
I remember being on Facebook years back and reading a post from the daughter of an old friend of mine who had married a West Point graduate. Her husband, a highly sought after U. S. government asset, was spending many days away from his new bride. The Army life is a difficult one, to say
The world often asks itself, “Why are we here?” Some of us already have our answer. Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is a
I’ve always enjoyed movies depicting individuals who are able to overcome extreme odds. Guys like Indiana Jones, by the sweat of his brow, evading certain death to save his gal, seemed exciting, full of purpose. I guess something inside of me has always appreciated characters like that, fictional or otherwise. In many ways, it was a
The Last Five Percent Read More »
Have you ever returned home from a long day and literally sunk into your favorite chair? Have you ever gotten into bed and you’re so exhausted, feeling so pressed down and heavy, that it feels like the line between you and your mattress becomes blurred? Do you wish you had more strength, stamina, power? Have
I’m Exhausted. Where’s the Spirit? Read More »
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. — Ecclesiastes 3:1 It’s summertime here in New England and the smell of BBQs wafts through the air. It’s a nice reprieve from the harsh winters we often endure. So go the seasons. By the end of the summer,
What, Exactly, Are We Resting From? Read More »