The Middle Ages: Disease. Cities filled with sewage, rats, and dirty water. Physicians practice bloodletting (draining up to 80% of a patient’s blood), purging (meds to cause vomiting or diarrhea), and extreme sweat treatments. (Such so-called ‘heroic medicine’ often hastens the patient’s death.) You are better off poor—poor enough to avoid doctors, that is, butContinue reading ““SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE” Colossians 3:2.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
THE SLAVERY WORK ETHIC. Colossians 3:22-23.
Slavery, as a rule, does not produce hard workers but people who LOOK LIKE hard workers. People will not work hard if they believe they have no control over their work. But slaves will say “yes sir,” and hustle and SMILE as though thrilled with their work. But once they’re out of sight, the smileContinue reading “THE SLAVERY WORK ETHIC. Colossians 3:22-23.”
Do You Get Tired of Working? Colossians 3:23.
The Bible encourages us to work hard and to shake off the weariness. You can do it! Unbelievers are sometimes quite lazy. Sometimes people are poor because they are unwilling to work in a regular or disciplined manner. Laziness is tempting. It’s hard to get out of bed, to hustle, to stay motivated. And thatContinue reading “Do You Get Tired of Working? Colossians 3:23.”
TALKING IS EVERYTHING. Colossians 3:8; 4:6.
Talking is Everything. Nothing will have a bigger impact on your life and future than your conversations. Are you a good talker? Are you a good listener? First, let me recommend we all become better listeners. Make an effort. PRACTICE LISTENING. “Let each one of you be QUICK TO HEAR, slow to speak, and slowContinue reading “TALKING IS EVERYTHING. Colossians 3:8; 4:6.”
“I’M NOT RELIGIOUS. I’M SPIRITUAL.” Colossians 2:3,8-9.
It’s the latest cliché: “I’m a spiritual person.” I’d like to ask, “How is your spirituality different from someone who reads poetry while sipping coffee and admiring nature? What is ‘spiritual’ about it?” Most who claim “spirituality,” focus on a mindset: they appreciate beauty, they think about gratitude, and they acknowledge there may or (mayContinue reading ““I’M NOT RELIGIOUS. I’M SPIRITUAL.” Colossians 2:3,8-9.”
Be Careful What You Consume—With Your Mind. Colossians 2:8
Remember the kosher dietary laws—telling the Hebrews what they can and cannot put in their mouths? There are similar rules for our minds. We are not supposed to just open up and swallow everything. “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, accordingContinue reading “Be Careful What You Consume—With Your Mind. Colossians 2:8”
NOW WHAT? Colossians 1:15-20; 3:1-4:2.
We know that Paul said “to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21. If so—NOW WHAT? How do we honor Christ now that we know the truth? Do we obey rules? Or do we “do a good turn daily” as the Boy Scouts say? Or do we smile more and convince everyone we are happy? Paul elaboratesContinue reading “NOW WHAT? Colossians 1:15-20; 3:1-4:2.”
Philemon: the Book About Slavery. Philemon 8.
For centuries abolitionists searched the Bible hoping to prove that slavery was wrong. But many topics in the Bible are not addressed in neat little essays the way we might have hoped. Nevertheless, one book that does address slavery is Philemon. Philemon is a private letter to a close friend. This letter is not theContinue reading “Philemon: the Book About Slavery. Philemon 8.”
HOW DO PEOPLE DESCRIBE YOU? Philippians 4:5.
We spend years telling children to ignore other children. Don’t listen to the mean words, and definitely don’t let them convince you. (When boys in middle school call you ‘gay,’ for example, imagine how preposterous that is: are you going to allow people completely ignorant in all areas of sexuality to influence your adult choices?)Continue reading “HOW DO PEOPLE DESCRIBE YOU? Philippians 4:5.”
When You Need Courage. Proverbs 28:1.
Have you ever been afraid? Fear is a difficult emotion. Sometimes fear is vague, dull, and unfocused: you feel anxious, but you’re not sure why. Other times it is acute: you know EXACTLY what you’re afraid of! Fear, whether in the form of fright, worry, anxiety, terror, or dread, affects everyone. What is the answer?Continue reading “When You Need Courage. Proverbs 28:1.”
Household Words: 