When I was small, I made some dumb choices. One Christmas, an aunt gave me my choice of either of two presents. One gift was a rather expensive item that had lasting value. She thought I would choose this gift and tried to persuade me to take it. But I chose a cheap, plastic game… Continue reading SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Category: Insights for Life
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Those of us who travel regularly on airplanes are capable of giving the attendant’s spiel about safety on a jet in case of emergency. One thing that has always fascinated me is the line about putting on your own oxygen mask first, before attempting to help someone else. The point is, in an emergency, you… Continue reading PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUILDING TRUST
Recently, I made an appointment with a friend to meet at 2 o’clock the next afternoon to review some important activities we were doing. It was an important meeting for me. I rescheduled my entire day so I could be at the appointment. However, when 2 o’clock came, I was left alone, waiting for my… Continue reading BUILDING TRUST
QUIT TRYING TO FORGIVE YOURSELF
When Carol asked for an appointment, I had no idea what her problem was. It seemed that she and her husband were happily married and they had three beautiful children. Carol came to the office and told me her tragic story. Twelve years earlier she had had an abortion and she was still plagued by… Continue reading QUIT TRYING TO FORGIVE YOURSELF
The Relationship Between Sin and Suffering
The other day, someone asked me, “How are you?” I said, “Things are going along just fine” and the retort came back, “You must be living right.” A while back, I played a round of golf in Montreal at the second oldest golf course in North America. On one hole I hit a lucky drive… Continue reading The Relationship Between Sin and Suffering
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN JESUS DIED?
The cross of Jesus is … – the center of all we believe, the heart of all we experience with God, and the basis of all we love about our faith – Jesus Christ did not come just to preach a gospel – he came to die that there would be a gospel to preach… Continue reading WHAT HAPPENED WHEN JESUS DIED?
Six Questions To Make Sure You Are Growing
John is the kind of person who excites pastors. He came into the church as a scruffy-looking hippy. Little did I know what would happen after I introduced him to Christ. His life demonstrated continual spiritual transformation. His lifestyle was radically changed. His attitudes underwent a major overhaul. His values were revolutionized. For more than… Continue reading Six Questions To Make Sure You Are Growing
PRAY PASSIONATELY
During the days of Jesus’ life, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Hebrews 5:7 God wants us to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ. It is impossible to become… Continue reading PRAY PASSIONATELY
SHIFTING BLAME
We live in a world where people love to blame others for their problems. We like to find scapegoats for things that go wrong. We make excuses. We have become good at avoiding responsibility for what happens in our lives. Frequently, we just blame the devil. The story is told of a person sitting outside… Continue reading SHIFTING BLAME
PATIENCE
A ministry leader told me recently, “I am losing patience with a person to whom I gave an assignment and who said he would do it right away. But he hasn’t done a thing.” Another national director said, “I wish the people in our international office had more patience with us. They don’t seem to… Continue reading PATIENCE