We live in a culture that has a dysfunctional view of time. Recent statistical studies show that Americans are now working more and vacationing less than any industrialize nation including Japan. Most of us have succumb to such a frenzied pattern of living that even when we take a break we do not find the deep refreshing of both soul and body that we long for. From the very beginning of creation mankind has battled this. That is why God has programmed into the weekly rhythm of our lives time-outs to rest the body and soul, regain His perspective through reflection and renew ourselves spiritually. It’s called a Sabbath rest.
Archive for April, 2010
Why true rest is so hard and the Rx
Posted in Life Balance, tagged reflection, rest, restful vacation, sabbath, sabbath rest, spiritual renewal, true rest, vacation on April 30, 2010 | 2 Comments »
A prayer to answer life’s 4 biggest questions
Posted in Growth & Development, Prayer, tagged life's big questions, powerful prayer, prayer on April 29, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Many view the Apostle Paul’s prayer out of Ephesians 1:17-19 as one of the greatest prayers in the Bible. It is a prayer that is so insightful yet so comprehensive that it is worth praying again and again, not only for others, but also for ourselves. It is a prayer that has sustaining relevance yet [...]
5 lessons on leadership from behind the wheel
Posted in Leadership, tagged leadership, leadership lessons, lessons from behind the wheel on April 28, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Here are 5 leadership lessons from behind the wheel that will not only make you a better driver; but can also make you a better leader in your home, on the job, at church or anywhere else you find yourself responsible for other peoples lives. I am often looking for leadership illustrations in the things [...]
Why do you complain my son?
Posted in Growth & Development, Window into my Soul, tagged complaining, perspective on April 27, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
If God had a talk with us about our complaining-what would He say? Here’s how I imagine it would go.
Stop complaining and feed the ox
Posted in Growth & Development, tagged complaining, thanksgiving on April 26, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest. Proverbs 14:4 (NIV) I have a theory that most of the things we complain about really are things we should be thankful for. It’s all a matter of perspective. This scripture verse is a case [...]
Some things we take for granted came at great cost
Posted in Church History, tagged Anabaptist, cloud of witnesses, credobaptism, doctrinal division, Felix Manz, paedobaptism, radical reformation, reformation, water baptism on April 23, 2010 | 1 Comment »
On a cold January morning in 1527, in Zurich, Switzerland, a man by the name of Felix Manz was taken in a row boat to the middle of the river Lammat. He was made to squat down, his arms were stretched around his knees and his hands were tied. A stick was thrust above his [...]
Two amazing words that always bring a breakthrough
Posted in Overcoming, tagged but God, dealing with doubt, deliverance from suffering, God gives a breakthrough, God's intervention, hope for the hopeless, suffering on April 22, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Everybody wants a breakthrough because everybody has trials and difficulties in life. But you cannot schedule breakthroughs. They come on their own timetable. Suffering causes us to press in to God for them and invariably they come when we are most desperate for them. And when they come and the prison door opens of its [...]
To answer or not to answer, that is the question.
Posted in Communication, Relationships, tagged answering a fool, dealing with criticisim, facing opposition, handling criticism, leadership decision making, protecting the flock, protecting the vulnerable, protecting the weak, speaking up on April 21, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. Proverbs 26:4-5 In follow up to the barking and biting dog posts I want to share some final thoughts for consideration in the [...]
What to do if barking dogs bite
Posted in Leadership, Relationships, tagged dealing with criticism, facing opposition, handling criticism, leadership decision making, second guessing on April 20, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. Proverbs 26:4-5 What should a person do when a barking dog following your caravan decides to attack and bite you? In my previous [...]
The dogs bark but the caravan moves on.
Posted in Leadership, Relationships, TOP TEN ALL TIME Posts, tagged dealing with criticism, handling criticism, leadership decision making, second guessing on April 19, 2010 | 3 Comments »
Some decision making is hard enough, but having someone second guess or criticize your decision after the fact makes it even harder. This old Arabian proverb puts things in perspective. The dogs bark but the caravan moves on. In other words once you’ve wrestled through all the pros and cons of a difficult decision and [...]
