Devotionals
A Trip to the Doctor's Office
My daughter’s follow-up visit to the pediatrician was met with understandable trepidation. She seemed to have a detailed recollection of her previous appointment when the doctor poked her with that long, shiny, pointy thingy. I had the daunting task of convincing her that the temporary pain she endured would prevent her from getting sick in the future.
A Funeral Worth Attending
Is it just me or does it seem like every year the holiday commercials start airing sooner? I cringed, when in mid-October, several festive commercials crept onto my television screen. It reminded me of why I needed to mail my remote control to the Bermuda Triangle with no return address on the package. It also reminded me it was that time of year in which I should anticipate regular sightings of a frequent holiday party crasher who regularly shows up uninvited. You might know Him.
New Year, New You
In the next month or so, you’re probably going to start hearing people make declarations about things they’d like to do differently in 2010. When the excitement of a new calendar year hits, many will launch out focused & determined to make those 365 days count for something significant. Unfortunately, by April most of those same people will no longer be motivated to continue pressing forward. I’d like to offer a suggestion as to why.
Part of a Bigger Process
Have you ever been in that really awkward place where conviction and impulse collide? Recently, I witnessed one such explosion, and the results were catastrophic.
When Horns Hold Your Halo
It’s been said that the only difference between a Saint and a Sinner is that every Saint has a past, and every Sinner has a future. That statement waxes poetic, but that’s not the only difference.
Let's Deal With It!
Take a moment to think about the people you would say you love: parents, friends, your spouse, co-workers, siblings, your children, etc. Get a few of their faces in your mind. Next, consider the following verses: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34; “Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” – Romans 13:10; “Do everything in love.” – I Corinthians 16:14. Now with those scriptures in plain view, let’s tackle this question: Are you really showing love when you avoid having that difficult conversation?
Your Weakness
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:15-16
Living Transparently
The phone rings, but goes to voicemail before I have a chance to pick it up. A couple of minutes later, I retrieve the message and get assaulted by the following words: “PLEASE CALL ME BACK! I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!!” I dial the number. A lady answers. She’s yelling. She’s sobbing. Anger fills her voice. Hysterical best describes this scene. After several minutes passed she calmed down, and we started making progress toward me figuring out the problem.
Playing Chess in the Shower
God often uses situations from everyday life to teach us more about Himself. The college I attended had a rule that all freshmen received the grand prize of calling a dormitory “home”. The community established by living in close proximity to several other students proved beneficial more often than not. But there was this one recurring instance that made dorm life a challenge.
Not Home Yet
If I were to ask you, “Where do you live?”, the responses might vary from a street name to the name of your sub-division or neighborhood to a particular side of town to the name of your city, state or country. Depending on how you perceive the question, you’ll answer it accordingly. What I’d like to do, though, is with that question firmly in your mind, suggest a statement that will universally answer the question for everyone on the planet. When asked “Where do you live?”, a proper response is “in a temporary accommodation.” The reason why? You are an eternal being, and where you currently live is not your home.
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