“Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God’s will.” (Eric Metaxas, paraphrasing some of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s views on Christianity) Bonhoeffer knew something about courage. He stood against Hitler and the Nazi war machine in his native Germany. He died in a concentration camp, but left his prolific …
Unforgiveness, as it festers, becomes bitterness. Bitterness becomes hatred. That’s one of several reasons why we should forgive people when we are wronged. “Forgive others. Not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.” (Denzel Washington) “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians …
When bad news hits us like a ton of bricks, how do we react? Some people outwardly show remarkable faith and a phenomenally positive attitude. Others are knocked to their knees with dread while their minds take them on a journey they don’t want to go on. Does victim number one have more faith than …
Take a few minutes today to read a portion of an ancient “prayer/song” that David penned many centuries ago. I encourage you to “pray through” these verses: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my …
Gerald Jamplolsky has said, “I can have peace of mind only when I forgive rather than judge.” “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13) “In the shadow of hurt, forgiveness feels like a decision to reward my enemy. But in …
Wise people are not always silent, but they know when to be. “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4) Keith Madison SCORE International
Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. Whether it’s a church, business, family or a team, if we come together as one much can be accomplished. “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there …
What we say to others makes a difference. Our words matter! “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” (Proverbs 12:26) Keith Madison SCORE International
“Baseball is like church. Many attend few understand.” – Leo Durocher This is so true. Many don’t understand baseball because coaches, many times, make the game too complicated. Yogi Berra once said, “You can’t hit and think at the same time.” Theologians frequently want to make faith more complicated, as well. As a result, people …
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” (Jim Rohn) When our pastor shared this quote recently, I couldn’t help but think, “if Jesus was one of the five people I spent most of my time with, how would I be different?” The answer is: 1. I would be …