God highly honors great HUMILITY.

Governing With Humility. Exodus 18:17.

Image: Moses’s father-in-law Jethro, as portrayed in the film THE PRINCE OF EGYPT. “And I’ll take it to the Supreme Court if I have to!” shouts Maury Stokis, pointing his cane in the face of Perry White. Maury and his wife win a free trip to South America from the newspaper THE DAILY PLANET, butContinue reading “Governing With Humility. Exodus 18:17.”

King Washington? Judges 8:23.

The story goes that George Washington turned down a chance to be king—that but for his amazing self-restraint, the United States would be a monarchy today. Like so many stories of our heroes and villains, the tale of Washington refusing the crown has been oversimplified. As the Revolutionary War neared its end, an older officerContinue reading “King Washington? Judges 8:23.”

Misplaced Confidence. Jeremiah 49:16.

Petra was recently chosen as one of the “New 7 Wonders of the World.” Petra was a thriving city in the desert with buildings and homes carved directly into the cliff walls. As many as 20,000 people once lived in the Petra area, accessing water from an amazing system of cisterns and ceramic conduit. InContinue reading “Misplaced Confidence. Jeremiah 49:16.”

Big Erik Won’t Be on Top Forever. Isaiah 10:15.

When I was in junior high my friend Chris got jumped by a kid named Mike at the 7-11. The two were in the grass outside the store fighting when Big Erik, a much larger, much older boy came along and attacked Mike. Fortunately for Chris, he happened to be losing that particular fight. BigContinue reading “Big Erik Won’t Be on Top Forever. Isaiah 10:15.”

The Inauguration and the Wisdom of Solomon: 2 Chronicles 1:8-10.

One of my friends from law school founded a politically oriented non-profit and was invited to attend the inauguration this week. He took his three teenaged children and his mother and even the kids seemed to understand that this was the trip of a lifetime. I have followed his posts on Facebook, and Jonathan, wearingContinue reading “The Inauguration and the Wisdom of Solomon: 2 Chronicles 1:8-10.”

Who is the Greatest in the Kingdom? Matthew 18:1-4.

The disciples asked Jesus to name the greatest person in the Kingdom of Heaven. They expected Him to say Abraham or Moses or David or Elijah or maybe John the Baptist, but He surprised them: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ AndContinue reading “Who is the Greatest in the Kingdom? Matthew 18:1-4.”

HUMILITY = HONOR. Philippians 2:5-11.

God honors humility. God HIGHLY honors great humility. Jesus—the WORD and expression of God, the LOGOS of God—set that aside, humbled himself to become a man, a squalling infant born on the road, then nailed naked to a cross, and even submitted to the ultimate indignity of death. He took humility further than anyone, andContinue reading “HUMILITY = HONOR. Philippians 2:5-11.”

DIGNITY vs. INDIGNITY: HUMILITY OR HUMILIATION? Psalm 22; Philippians 2:8.

Have you been mocked, scorned, or made to feel small or weak? Have you had your dignity attacked? It happens to everyone—particularly as children. And even when you are grown and strong and proud, you are not immune from indignities. You are simply fortunate to be enjoying a few years on top. Everyone succumbs, whetherContinue reading “DIGNITY vs. INDIGNITY: HUMILITY OR HUMILIATION? Psalm 22; Philippians 2:8.”