Posts
Perfect Hatred!
Perfect Hatred Is perfect hatred possible? The Psalmist, David, spends most of the 139th Psalm declaring the beautiful works of God on a personal level. If it’s been a while since you have read Psalm 139, I encourage you to do so. Then, David gets to the 19th verse and does an about-face. David clearly…
Love Thyself!
Love Thyself! I understand this will make some folks uncomfortable. I can see the gears in your mind working through this, “What does he mean, Love Thyself!” We’re not supposed to do that. Wrong. We know the first greatest commandment is to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart, all you soul, and…
Needy People!
Who is needy? People don’t like being needy or being considered needy. Many shy away from those they think are needy. As we reflect on this idea of needy people, it is essential to determine who is needy. So, here are my thoughts on the matter. I am needy! You are needy! All of humanity…
To Be Known by God
To Be Known by God. We live in a world exploding with information. People trip over themselves trying to gain knowledge, whether it is accurate or not. But knowing does not guarantee us anything. Knowledge alone does not satisfy the soul. What does satisfy is being known. Curt Thompson, MD, says, “The process of being…
Apostolic Moral Purity
Apostolic Moral Purity “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;” (1 Timothy 2:8). Paul gives men three requirements to be a godly man: Lift up holy hands in prayer. (Having a body free from sin.) Worship without anger. (Have a spirit free from anger.) Worship without…
I Love You Too!
I Love You Too! Within most relationships, one person is the primary initiator, and the other is the responder. For example, in the area of affection, one spouse says, “I love you,” and the other spouse responds by saying, “I love you, too.” The initiating spouse will reach out their hand first, and the other…
Perfect Love
Perfect Love What is perfect love? It seems reasonable for the beloved disciple to be the only one to write about perfect love (1 John 4:18). I have been curious about this descriptive term for much of my life. Perfect love is not where a relationship starts. As a teenager, I remember my mother brushing…
Perfect Peace
Perfect Peace At the beginning of this new year, my wish is for perfect peace to saturate every home. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Philippians, refers to a peace that passeth all understanding (4:7). An incomprehensible peace. Isaiah refers to such peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is…
Learn to Listen!
I may have just lost the majority of my massive reading audience using the word “learn.” Compound that with the word “Listen,” and maybe I should stop right here. I’m not sure which is more distasteful to folks: learning or listening—probably learning. However, listening is a more formidable challenge for many. Any healthy relationship is…
Are Grandparents Really That Important?
Are grandparents really that important? Grandparents are important because grandchildren are important. A special dynamic only exists between grandparents and grandchildren that does not exist between a parent and child. I have filled the role of child, grandchild, parent, and grandparent. As a child, most of the time, I looked forward to spending time with…
Initiate or Stagnate?
Initiate or stagnate! I write this to every individual in a relationship today. Most of humanity is part of several associations. A relationship could be with a spouse, parent, sibling, child, or other family members. It could be with a friend, a work associate, or someone at church. In short, I write this to you.…
Responding to False Accusations
Responding to False Accusations Have you ever been accused incorrectly? Of course, you have. It started early on in life when your parents accused you of making a mess. In reality, it was your sibling, a neighborhood friend, or the family pet. But you were accused, and you had to clean it up. Do you…