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.”
Category Archives: humility
The Beautiful City. Ezekiel 27:3.
Image: Santorini, Greece. I LOVE living in the country. But few things are as amazing as a world-class city. Don’t believe it? Think of it this way—with the exception of natural wonders, every incredible thing you can think of can be found in the world’s greatest cities: London, Paris, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai, Cairo. ThinkContinue reading “The Beautiful City. Ezekiel 27:3.”
Humble Yourself Under the Mighty Hand of God. Ezekiel 19:1-14.
Could anything have been more terrifying in a world without gunpowder than lions? Imagine an absolutely silent hunter, yet one whose roar can be heard up to five miles away. Lions once roamed the earth in far greater numbers than they do today. Among other things, gladiators fighting for their lives in the Roman ColosseumContinue reading “Humble Yourself Under the Mighty Hand of God. Ezekiel 19:1-14.”
Humiliation Stories. Isaiah 2:11-17.
The tales are legendary. Ford rejected the minivan, arrogantly believing Americans would buy what Ford told them to buy—more station wagons. Struggling Chrysler, led by former Ford executive Lee Iacocca, said yes to minivans and saved its business (sinking the station wagon forever). Hitler paid his architect, Albert Speer, to design a new Berlin—a capitolContinue reading “Humiliation Stories. Isaiah 2:11-17.”
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.”
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.”
DO NOT BE WISE… Romans 12:16.
Children are amazingly TEACHABLE. Every day they stare outward, soaking up everything and memorizing new things without trying. Babies watch people and figure out faces and expressions and gestures and words. It’s an incredible, lightning-fast process. And reading! Imagine beginning first grade in August and knowing almost nothing about reading, and by Christmas you areContinue reading “DO NOT BE WISE… Romans 12:16.”
HOW’S YOUR CHRISTIAN RESUME? Philippians 3:4-6; 2 Corinthians 11:22-27.
What if you had a Christian Resume? Could you fill up a page with things you have done for God, ways you have served the church, scripture you have read, verses memorized? People you counseled or comforted? Money you donated? What about sacrifices made—you held your tongue when you wanted to say something cruel? YouContinue reading “HOW’S YOUR CHRISTIAN RESUME? Philippians 3:4-6; 2 Corinthians 11:22-27.”
JESUS MADE HUMILITY A VIRTUE. 1 Corinthians 4:7.
Do you think everyone has gifts and talents? Is everyone a genius? No. Some enter life saddled with heavy burdens and no strength to lift them. Life is not fair. And yet, God often touches the “least of these” in ways the rest of us can only admire. In God’s Kingdom, you will hear theContinue reading “JESUS MADE HUMILITY A VIRTUE. 1 Corinthians 4:7.”
Household Words: 