“I spent my whole education degree studying how Jesus taught. He never asked anyone to memorize anything.” That was my friend James talking. James is focused on grace. He only reads the New Testament. He says things like, “Well, I’m not really an Old Testament guy.” James considers the idea of spiritual disciplines to beContinue reading “Paul, the Great Teacher of Grace, Did Not Hesitate to Place Great Demands on Christian Behavior; Good Behavior is Not Legalism. Galatians 5:4.”
Tag Archives: Goals
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.”
Resolutions and Uphill Battles. Ezra 4:5 and 5:5.
Change is hard. New Year’s Resolutions are hard. Turning around old habits is hard. Starting new habits is hard. It is hard to study more or to become a reader. It is hard to begin eating right. Or to begin an exercise program. All new goals are hard to reach. First, you must overcome yourContinue reading “Resolutions and Uphill Battles. Ezra 4:5 and 5:5.”
THE FINISH LINE. 2 Timothy 4:7.
Beginnings are exciting. Even kids who hate school can sense the excitement of back-to-school time. We used to enjoy meeting our new teachers and seeing who would be in our class. The beginning of things can be fun. When the gun fires and you take off in a race! Or when you show up forContinue reading “THE FINISH LINE. 2 Timothy 4:7.”
WHAT DO YOU BRAG ABOUT? Jeremiah 9:23-24.
What have you bragged about lately? I know we’re polite people who don’t brag (out loud). But what do you daydream about in the car when no one else can hear you? What does your heart want to brag about in those moments? Think back and see what you find…. They say that everyone worships,Continue reading “WHAT DO YOU BRAG ABOUT? Jeremiah 9:23-24.”
DON’T LET YOUR GOAL BECOME YOUR IDOL: Enjoy the Process & Trust God With the Results.
Are you goal-oriented? Motivated by achievements? I am. Absolutely. I’m not sure I’m motivated by anything else. I often think about my goals, tallying up whether I have accomplished them—even the meaningless goals. For example, I have written 475 book reviews (reviews, not ratings) on Goodreads[dot]com. My goal is to write 1,000. I have aContinue reading “DON’T LET YOUR GOAL BECOME YOUR IDOL: Enjoy the Process & Trust God With the Results.”
Bucket List.
In 2007, Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson starred in THE BUCKET LIST, a film about two old men with cancer who decide to travel the world together, scratching items off their bucket list. The film made the term “bucket list” famous. What if you don’t complete your list? Is that a fail? No. Dreams giveContinue reading “Bucket List.”
Great Achievements Do Not Happen in Wartime.
Are you stressed? Distracted? Pulled in too many directions? If so, you will not be able to achieve at your best. People do well with “some” stress. They say a little stress is good for you. I remember making my best charcoal drawing while furious about something I’ve long since forgotten. And I put asideContinue reading “Great Achievements Do Not Happen in Wartime.”
Household Words: 