In recent years I’ve heard a lot of talk about the idea of “best practices.” It’s a bit of a buzz word in the business world and recently it’s made landfall in the church. The term, “best practices” conveys the idea that there are a set of recognized procedures and techniques that are generally accepted as the most prudent and
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Do to others as you would like them to do to you. Luke 6:31 (NLT) I was perturbed. It was frustrating enough that the mechanic couldn’t tell me why the red warning light had come on in my car. But in addition, he rattled off a long list of other items he said needed immediate attention. He was willing to
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Sitting in the airport terminal I couldn’t help but overhear the cell phone conversation of the man sitting directly behind me. Apparently returning from a business trip this jerk was clearly proud of his accomplishments. He was loud and caustic as he spoke about the stupidity of his boss who, I’m sure, had no idea how he was being taken
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One weekend in college before Juli and I were married, I went to spend the weekend with her at her parents’ home in the suburbs of Chicago. She met me at the door and asked me to go wait for her on the back porch where her dad was watching television. When I came out on the back porch, I
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The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) Last Saturday I was working on the brakes on my car. I dropped off the rotors at a local mechanic’s shop, and the man at the counter told me it would take about an hour to turn them. Perfect, I thought.
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You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being…. Philippians 2:5-7 (NLT) Recently a well-known Christian entertainer came to our
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He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29 (NIV) A few years ago on a spring morning, I woke up and began my day as usual. As I made my way into the kitchen, however, it felt as if the ground began to move under me. I braced myself as I slammed into
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My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19, 20 (NIV) One of the most destructive forces in any relationships is anger. By itself, anger is not sinful. However, when we allow ourselves
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Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT) Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him
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He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Galatians 3:14 (NIV) Abraham told a lie – a really big one. The story begins in Genesis 12 where God told Abraham to leave his home and family for
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