Many people think that by adopting the opinions and values of another person, they are strengthening their relationship. The more we agree about, the better off we are, right? Not exactly. Agreeing on things is great, but when it comes to relationships, authenticity is more important than similarity. When people don’t have a clear sense […]
I have volunteered as a docent at our local art museum for the past five years. It’s been a wonderful way to give back to the community and also guarantees that I spent quality time amongst the amazing collection our museum possesses. It takes time to enjoy all that a quality art museum has to […]
I ended my last post with a question. How are so many Christian leaders able to get people to place their hopes on things that God has never directly promised them? Prosperity ministers are able to convince us that God has promised us things that He hasn’t promised by preying on our normal desires. Of […]
Many people have now heard the story of a prominent minister telling his congregation that God wanted him to “bleed him for a Falcon 7X”, an expensive private jet. The rationale for this request and others like it was that God wants us to succeed, that there are amazing things available just for the asking. […]
I’ve been thinking a lot about fear over the past few days as Hurricane Florence hovers off the coast, massive and deadly. I’ve watched as fear has set people in motion. The interstate was jammed with travelers last night as I made my way home. They were all heading inland. I pray that fear does […]
“I saw the angel in the marble and I carved until I set him free.” Few artists in history can rival the talent and skill of Michelangelo Buonarroti. His sculptures and paintings adorn some of the most renowned museums and cathedrals in the world. Perhaps Michelangelo’s greatest gift was his vision. Not only were […]
One of the most frustrating things about being a pastor are those moments when you teach about things that you struggle with the most. I actually believe that our most powerful teachings come from our most honest struggles, but it’s still no fun. I experienced this last week, when a small group gathered and we […]
Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing. Andrew Peterson is a singer, songwriter with an unusual voice, and deep, thought-provoking lyrics. In “The Silence of God” Peterson sings, “if a man is forced to listen to the voices of the mob, who are reeling in the throes of all the happiness they’ve got”. In our world, […]
Love is gentle. Gentleness may be one of the most misunderstood attributes of love. Most people equate gentleness with weakness and assume that loving others means being subservient to them. They believe that loving someone means allowing them to dominate you. Love, however, is not weak. It takes a great deal of strength to love […]
Love is a collection of traits that are developed over time and then exerted for the good of someone else. That’s why love isn’t easy. It takes time, and those who don’t invest time in growing as a person will often struggle to love others well over time. One of the traits that allows us […]