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.”
Category Archives: Pride
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.”
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.”
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.”
Victory is Not Without Risk. 2 Kings 15:5.
Painting: “King Uzziah Stricken With Leprosy,” by Rembrandt, 1635. Uzziah was a farmer, war hero, inventor, and king. He lived a rich, successful, creative life. But his successes were not without risk. But what possible risk accompanies success? Uzziah was crowned king at the tender age of 16, 2 Kings 15:2. The young man wasContinue reading “Victory is Not Without Risk. 2 Kings 15:5.”
ARE YOU ENTITLED? Busy David and Lazy David. 2 Samuel 11:1.
David on the Balcony. Picture generated by A.I. One morning during a series of wars, two military men had an interesting conversation: “Haven’t you been on a long journey? Last night you finally arrived in town. Why didn’t you go home and see your wife?” “The ark, and Israel, and Judah are living in tents.Continue reading “ARE YOU ENTITLED? Busy David and Lazy David. 2 Samuel 11:1.”
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.”
THOU SHALT NOT BRAG? 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.
Paul writes about bragging in chapters 11 and 12 of his second letter to the church at Corinth. Most people believe all bragging is bad. But Paul says, “Boasting is necessary” 2 Corinthians 12:1. That’s unexpected: BOASTING IS NECESSARY. But the next words are, “It is not profitable.” This is a complicated subject. But understandContinue reading “THOU SHALT NOT BRAG? 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.”
TAKE HEED… 1 Corinthians 10:12.
Never congratulate yourself for being a great Christian. When you let spiritual pride creep in, you fail. “Let him who thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall” 1 Corinthians 10:12. Consider the exodus. Israel has witnessed 10 incredible plagues. They have seen God rescue them from slavery in a miraculous fashion. God says, “YouContinue reading “TAKE HEED… 1 Corinthians 10:12.”
INSPIRED BY SACRIFICE. 1 Corinthians 1:18,27.
Are you inspired by sacrifice? By soldiers who die for their country? By athletes who gut it out? By people who fast for enlightenment? These are great things; they should inspire. But sacrifices mean nothing until you accept the sacrifice of Jesus. Growing up in Manhattan in the 1950s, my uncle Bill was inspired byContinue reading “INSPIRED BY SACRIFICE. 1 Corinthians 1:18,27.”
Household Words: 