This afternoon, I read a portion of Jon Gordon’s book, The Power of Positive Leadership. (A friend had recommended this and I was eager to read something that would be motivating.) I love this particular section (p. 51): Dr. James Gills accomplished the remarkable feat of completing a double triathlon (two triathlons back to back… Continue reading Are You Listening or Talking to Yourself?
Category: Faith
Will You Make the First Move?
We had been seated in an outdoor area. The restaurant was very busy. We were waiting on our pizza. The people at the next table were inches away. They spoke no English (apparently). We certainly spoke no Italian (their language). Yet, it did not take an understanding of their language to know that they were… Continue reading Will You Make the First Move?
What I Wish I Known Earlier
I admit it. At times throughout my life, I was confused – very confused. Maybe you weren’t. I do know people who appear to have had it together all of their lives. Not me. When I was in college, I stayed up all night writing page after page of areas of life where I was… Continue reading What I Wish I Known Earlier
When You are Afraid
“Were you afraid?” she asked. Of course I was. We were moving across the country after living in Waco for twenty years. We were leaving the known and entering the unknown. Yes, I know fear. Typically I become afraid of what could happen. After all, “What if?” Meanwhile, early this morning I sat at a… Continue reading When You are Afraid
Fear
(I am away on a vacation/study break during the month of July. The posts that appear during the month are from the archives.) Fear. It is everywhere! No, I am not talking about the fear of the Lord. Nor am I talking about any sort of healthy fear. No, I am referring to another kind… Continue reading Fear
Learning to Finish What You Start
Many people start. Fewer finish. Consider what we begin: A marriage begins with a wedding. A student begins an academic program. A homeowner begins a do-it-yourself project remodeling the family’s kitchen. A person begins a blog. A church member takes on and begins a project for the congregation. Many people begin. Fewer finish. This past… Continue reading Learning to Finish What You Start
The Sickness Unto Death (Soren Kierkegaard)
Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher and theologian. He was born May 5, 1813 and died November 11, 1855. During his lifetime, he wrote a number of books. In 1848, he wrote The Sickness Unto Death. In the book, Kierkegaard discussed the idea of despair, which he equates to the Christian understanding of sin. Kierkegaard… Continue reading The Sickness Unto Death (Soren Kierkegaard)
The 10 Temptations
A few years ago, I asked a friend of mine, “When does temptation ever end?” I suppose that on one level, it never does end. Do any of these temptations sound familiar? The temptation to insist upon a soft, risk-free life. The temptation to power. Life is only good when I get my way, whether… Continue reading The 10 Temptations
Are You Worried?
Sometimes I worry. I don’t think that I live each day in worry. But — I do know how to worry. Sometimes I notice that these worries seem to stand in line waiting for me to examine each one. One by one they parade in front of me, each one of them demanding… Continue reading Are You Worried?
Do You Believe in God?
In the New York Times Sunday Book Review (October 3, 2008), Garrison Keillor wrote a review of the book Nothing to Be Frightened Of by Julian Barnes. The review begins with the following paragraph: “I don’t believe in God, but I miss Him,” the book begins. Julian Barnes, an atheist turned agnostic, has decided… Continue reading Do You Believe in God?