“I commit to…”
A commitment is only as good as the person making it. Since nearly half of the marriage commitments that have been made in our recent past have ended in divorce, it would seem that commitments don’t really seem to mean much. It’d be like tossing a coin. Sure we can make a commitment. It’s easy. Just say the words “I commit to…” and then add words to the end of that sentence… “…going to the gym everyday.” “…eating healthy.” “…being there for you anytime…
Serve or Be Served
If your goal is to get people to serve you (or your ministry, your organization, your vision), then you’ll have to use some form of obligation or reward and punishment. You won’t be able to just just say “follow my lead” because your lead is getting people to serve you. It’s self-serving. And by following your lead, people will learn to be self-serving. They’ll want you and others to serve them and you’ll want them to serve you. Everyone will place…
I’ve Already Made It (Pt. II)
I’ve Already Made It (Pt. I)
“Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest…” Hebrews 4:1-3 I have already “made it”. I get to live from…
Am I Saved?
I thought freedom came through making enough money to do what I wanted when I wanted. I thought security and protection came through having enough money saved up in a bank or an insurance company. I thought my significance came from collecting and earning life’s trophies and climbing ladders higher than people around me. I thought love came through securing women’s affection and men’s approval. It was never enough. To others, it must’ve looked like I was doing a pretty good job. Sometimes…
Laws When at Table
“And if you are seated in your high chair, or in a chair such as a greater person might use, keep your legs and feet below you as they were. Neither raise up your knees, nor place your feet upon the table, for that is an abomination to me. Yes, even when you have an interesting bandage to show, your feet upon the table are an abomination, and worthy of rebuke. Drink your milk as it is given you, neither…
The Path to Greatness
It would seem much easier to be known for your greatness in the way the world thinks about greatness than it is in the way God sees greatness. There’s always been a big part of me that has wanted everyone to see how great I am according to all the “great” things I have done, the talents I have, the lack of anything bad in me. But this desire causes me to put myself before others. To make myself look good at…
Why Even Try?
Who am I trying to be? Am I trying to be like a certain movie star, athlete or entrepreneur? Am I trying to be more like Mother Teresa or Billy Graham? Am I trying to be more like Jesus? I don’t think we should try to be like any of those people. What does trying to be someone else gain me if I’m not that person? I think that anytime we’re trying to be any certain way, it’s a sign that something…
Freedom from Perfectionism
I’ve hated myself for not being perfect. I’ve felt the need to be perfect because it has seemed the requirement for being accepted and approved of and loved. I tried to reject and rebel against this perfectionism, but it was always nagging at me. “You’re think you can get away from me, but I’m still here. You need to be perfect. Otherwise you won’t be accepted.” When Adam and Eve were created and living in the garden before sin, they…