Quite often someone tells me, “I wish I didn’t have that problem.” They want to move away, run from a situation, change connections or relationships, or close their eyes, wishing the problem would pass. In time they learn that escapism provides no long-term escape. In life, you can be overcome by problems. Those overcome by problems get bitter, dejected, angry, …
High Thinking
You probably resonate with me in this: Shortly after waking up in the morning, my mind revs up to consider all that’s ahead that day – the appointments to keep, assignments to complete, annoyances to avoid, accolades to receive, adversaries to confront, etc., etc. Such mental gymnastics causes stress to rise, affecting my physical, mental, and emotional well-being for the …
For the Good of Those Who Love
Romans 8:28 This verse tells us that “all things work together for the good of those who love God.” If we love God, then we live in obedience. The “all things” refers to the providence of God and all the things that relate to Him: His Holy Spirit, His love and mercy, His truths, etc. All of these things come …
The Maze
I don’t know what to do.”“I don’t know where to turn.”“I don’t know about my goals.”Three comments from three different friends this week reminded me of a Pastor Harry Cheales in Gloucestershire, England. Around A.D 1950, Cheales had a dream about the maze of life. He turned the dream into reality in his church garden. The maze was a visual …
Growing Season
It’s that time of the year: The flower beds in front of our house are brimming with exotic colors, thanks to the warming season, great soil, abundant sunshine, adequate water, and . . . . . . . . the absence of unwelcome weeds.Those acquainted with the joys of agriculture are familiar with the challenge of weeds. The usual joke …
Silence
I heard this story at a silence retreat: Four people went on a silence retreat. As the day faded, they decided to light a candle in the room, and meditate in stillness before retiring for the night.A sudden blowing of wind threatened to extinguish the candle. One person reacted instinctively: “O no, the candle is about to go out!”After a minute, the second …
How Content Are You?
Recently I heard the story of a gentleman who wasn’t content with his house. He had lived in the house for so many years; He wished the front door faced a different direction; He wanted different kinds of windows; He wanted a house with the latest and greatest appliances, etc.So, the man consulted a realtor about putting his house up …
Right or Left
Which are you – right or left-handed? As a left-handed kid, I remember times when this question determined if I got to do certain things or not. Talk about discrimination (which I knew very little about then). I remember how I used to be made fun of for how I threw a ball, swung the cricket bat, did high fives, punched …
Stuck or Unstuck
When your mind is not actively engaged with your present situation (life, studies, or occupation), where does it dwell predominantly? According to the Bible, God does not keep bringing up your past (Isaiah 43: 25: I wipe away your sins because of who I AM. And so, I will forget the wrongs you have done.) Could it then be that …
On Rejection
Have you ever been rejected? It’s not a good feeling when someone declares that their friendship with you is over, when they ‘unfriend’ you, drop you like a hot potato, or just disappear for no obvious reason. Friends familiar with social media tell me that this is a continuous phenomenon online.When you are rejected, for whatever reason, the impact is …