Do you know the term “undermine”? It is often used in reference to authority. For example, if a principal walks into a classroom and tells students “Don’t bother with that assignment your teacher gave you,” the teacher will likely complain the principal has undermined her authority. UNDERMINE. Think about what that word means. It isContinue reading “Mining Hazards.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Listen to Wise Counsel.
Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, had a question. He got advice from the old men who had served his father, then from the young men who were his childhood friends. Guess who gave the better advice? The old men. Why? Because they had experience. Don’t you realize how valuable that is? Rehoboam took the advice of theContinue reading “Listen to Wise Counsel.”
Choose Your College.
How do kids choose a college? Location? Beauty? Reputation? Degrees offered? Friends going there? What do parents consider? Price? Safety? Future job prospects? The considerations are enormous—as is the time to be invested. It is a huge decision, and one for which you must hear from God. Proverbs 9 uses a picture similar to collegeContinue reading “Choose Your College.”
Rebuke.
Have you ever rebuked anyone? Ever told friend he was wrong? Ever spoken up for what is right? You can tell a lot about a person by the way he responds to rebuke. Wise people accept it, humble themselves, and listen. Foolish people are not able to accept rebuke; they will be angry and defensive.Continue reading “Rebuke.”
Wisdom Has Built Her House.
Yesterday I watched a documentary about a talented athlete whose career fell apart because his life was a dumpster fire: parties, booze, drugs, and selfishness. This is the life of foolishness. Even though I published my first book Friday (!), the biggest event of this year will be the work involved in honoring the lifeContinue reading “Wisdom Has Built Her House.”
Profanity.
George Washington said, “The wicked practice of profane swearing is a vice so low that every person of character despises it.” Do you agree? Many would disagree, yet most only swear in certain situations: they won’t cuss at church, a funeral, on television, in front of children, or during a job interview. They know it’sContinue reading “Profanity.”
What Does God Enjoy?
I once visited a preacher in the hospital, and he sat up in bed and preached to us. He said, “People always talk about ‘God bless me,’ but did you know that YOU can bless GOD?” He was so excited about that. One verse he mentioned was “bless the Lord, o my soul, and allContinue reading “What Does God Enjoy?”
The Road to Hell.
We talk a lot at church about the road to Heaven, or the “Roman Road,” or following God’s path. But is there a path that leads the other direction? Is there a road to hell? Or, if you have been born again, is there a path that will lead you to the hell of aContinue reading “The Road to Hell.”
Ruts.
Before paved roads, wagon wheels left deep ruts. When rain dried, ruts pulled wheels into the deep grooves, whether the driver wanted to go in them or not. Ruts do that. Stories create ruts in your mind. Popular stories create the deepest ruts. Consider: Are there any virgins on sit-coms? Not unless they’re being mocked,Continue reading “Ruts.”
Don’t Embrace Fire.
When was your worst burn? Do you remember the way it burns for hours? The redness? Blisters, maybe? Fire is so dangerous and yet we play with it all the time. Some of us play with actual fire, with firecrackers, gasoline, and pyromania. Or maybe you love sparklers or Roman candles. Or twirling the endContinue reading “Don’t Embrace Fire.”