Overcoming Hate
Hate is easy. It takes little to kindle and it feeds upon itself as it grows in conviction. Hate feels good and right. No one hates without feeling justified or…
Year: 2020
316: Eternal Life
One of the attributes of being human is the knowledge that we will die. We may not like to think about it, but the ability to ponder the end of…
When Strivings Cease
Goals, plans, purpose, passion, vision, hopes – we all have some form of these. I have a goal to eventually retire, but not quite yet. Because of the goal and…
316: Shall Not Perish
Our world is prone to death, corruption, and destruction. Mountains erode, apples spoil, buildings eventually fall. Science calls this entropy – the eventual movement from order to disorder, from complex…
The Little Things
For eight weeks now, the school system I work for has maintained in-person learning with many changes. Covid has forced us to wear masks, sanitize often, and physically distance our…
316: Believe
Whether we recognize it or not, our world runs on trust. A friend trusts our word when we say that something is worth doing. The bank trusts our promise to…
Inherit a Blessing
In the 1950 movie All About Eve, Bette Davis’s character warns, “Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night.” I wish someone would have warned us back in…
316: Whoever!
Filters are a necessary part of our world. Cars and trucks typically have three; air, oil, and fuel. There’s an air filter on the furnace/air conditioner. There are screens on…
Fit for Service
What makes someone fit for service in church leadership? If this were a live class, I’d pause here and wait for your input. Typical answers are knowledgeable, spiritual, caring, punctual,…
316: He Gave His Only Son
The gifts we give one another are an interesting indicator of how we value each other. What did the gift we give cost us, not just in dollars, but also…
The Lion’s Roar
Right up front, let me confess that I’m not an expert on lions and their behavior. I’ve seen just enough Wild Kingdom and National Geographic episodes to be a bit…
316 – God So Loved the World
We often remove John 3:16 out of its context and neglect how challenging this must have sounded to Nicodemus. Throughout the nighttime conversation with the curious Pharisee, Jesus consistently challenges…