Generalizing is the belief that all members of a group are alike. It assumes that a few individuals in the group represent the whole group. Therefore every individual believes, thinks, and acts exactly like all the others. Generalizing believe that… Women are _________. Men are _________. White people are _________. Black people are _________. Democrats…
Do you ever feel like we’re living at a time when people are talking past each other rather than with each other? I like to think that I’m the kind of person with whom people want to discuss life for hours . . . that I’m an excellent listener who’s emotionally supportive offering just the…
Rev and I once stayed at a hotel where there was a card on the nightstand that read: W.I.T. Whatever it Takes. Simply dial ’10.’ Our goal is that every guest leaves satisfied.“ As guests, we appreciated both the message and the goal. And then I started thinking… What if every follower of Jesus, the…
People seem to be fascinated with the subject of self-love lately. Even in the faith community, we’ve bought into the idea that we can’t love others well until we love ourselves well. After all, Jesus said: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ Matthew 22:39 But I wonder if putting self-love first doesn’t tempt us…
Pastor Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 85 languages. The 5th and last in his list of purposes is – “You Were Made for a Mission.” “Your life mission is both shared and specific. One part of it is a responsibility you share with…
I did a Google search for “Productivity Helps” and links to 338,000,000 articles popped up. Then I searched for “Time Management Helps” and there were so many they asked me to narrow down my group to – “self, student, employment, parent,” or several others. The same is true of time management seminars and books –…
If the King or Queen were about to visit a city near you, there would be a frenzy of preparations to be sure they received the treatment that should be bestowed on them. After all, they are called “royal visits.” Even when celebrities gather for an award event they “roll out the red carpet!” It’s…
I’m guessing at one time or another you’ve heard someone say… “There’s nothing wrong with it, so I have the freedom to do what I want!” And no, I’m not talking about your kids. I’m talking about adults in the church. In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul invited his reads to take a closer look at…
I’ve been blogging for more than 12 years, and I don’t remember ever receiving the kind of verbal attacks on my faith like I have in recent months. Technology has put a powerful weapon into the hands of social media and those who use it. Studies show that the vast majority of “chatter” on line…
As I sit down to write, it’s Thursday of Holy Week and John 13 is the next chapter on my writing schedule. There are no coincidences in God’s perfect timing. I’ve often wondered what it was like for Jesus that night before His arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death? But today, I’m pausing to think about…
How important is it that you and I obey the commandments? Is there a “most important commandment?” You must not have any other god but me.You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind.You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God.Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.Honor your father…
Self-righteousness is an attitude of moral superiority that is derived from the idea that a person’s beliefs, actions, or affiliations are of greater virtue than those held by anyone who doesn’t hold to the same beliefs and attitudes. Or to say it more succinctly – self-righteousness says I’m right and therefore superior to anyone who…
Do you ever feel frustrated with yourself when you read… Jesus said, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” Mark 12:29–30 I don’t know about you, but…
Eight years ago, I spent the months of June and July updating my passport, getting the required vaccines, and trying to figure out what in the world I should pack. Each day spent getting ready to travel to Bolivia as a member of the World Vision Bolivia Bloggers Team. I was considerably older than the…
Jesus said the second “most important command” is to, “love your neighbor as You love yourself.” Matthew 22:39 I don’t know about you … not often, but occasionally, I can get to the end of the day and feel like I’ve loved “my people” pretty well. But then there are those other days, those “not…
Last week, I told you that I have opinions … lots of them. I’m also a Sanguine talker. Combine those facts you might assume that it’s taken me a long time and more than one bloody tongue to learn that I don’t need to share my views on everything with everyone. And you’d be right! Something…
As we entered into a time of confession and repentance in our worship service yesterday morning, our pastor encouraged each of us to repent of the sin of silence. He said that too many of us have been silent for too long when it comes to calling out hatred around the world, in our nation,…
