I’ve decided to add one more day because I have a dear friend that I attended church with for years. She and her husband are model Christians, raised wonderful daughters and are two of the most giving, loving people I know. So, I want to take today and consider Gay and her input on this very important concept. She helped me position the whole concept of learning and growing. Why? She is a retired teacher and really knows how to…
Our next example of a spiritual Superstar who, nonetheless, battled depression is Mother Teresa of Calcutta. In so many ways she symbolizes the modern day, fully committed Christian life. How many other missionaries or preachers earned the Nobel Peace Prize simply by following God’s calling? After winning the prize, Mother Teresa was asked how she was able to perform her duties, day in and day out, in the slums of India. Her answer was something like this: “Every time I…
We are going to take a break today from our Positive Outlook theme to honor my son, Matt. As I write this, he is in his second year of his doctorate program at Oxford – AND begins his fellowship this next term. Yes, I am proud of his academic exploits, but more impressed with the man himself. I think it all began years ago, when instead of one of the neighbors (whose son he played with) commented not on what…
As we continue our preparation for Thanksgiving, let’s examine the life of Martin Luther, Father of the Protestant Reformation. Luther is famous for making the following statements: “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times”; “Faith must trample under foot all reason, sense, and understanding”; and “Reason is a whore, the greatest enemy faith has.” From these statements, it would appear that nothing…
Today we are going to continue thinking about how to keep a positive outlook. Thanksgiving is coming in the next week or so – then we begin the holiday season which appears to be one of the most difficult times of the year for many people. We should always remain in a state of evaluation and reevaluation, but we cannot dwell on things that induce negativity. So to get you ready for Thanksgiving, I want to spend some of the…
Today as we consider how to keep a proper outlook, let’s think about valuable metals. When gold and silver are mined from the ground they are in a raw state. They must be refined multiple times before their full value can be achieved. So, it is with all believers who move through life’s process toward holiness. We know that when God wants us to understand something, He makes it simple and straightforward. It is the same with the life journey…