Is a fish aware of the water it breathes, moves and lives in? Are we aware of the cultural attitudes we are saturated with daily, and how they affect us? Perhaps no more so than the fish. Most of us don't go through our day analyzing what is behind the messages we receive through the media and society in general. We're too immersed in the soup to make sense of it. The fact that we don't notice them doesn't make cultural influences any less real -- or less dangerous. One of the most insidious attitudes of our day is a mindset that is the very opposite of faith. Continue Reading
How Your Secrets Can Make You Unsafe
Are you a hoarder? I'm not talking about rooms stacked to the ceiling with ancient newspapers. I'm wondering ... do you hoard and hide the burdens of your soul? Here's a simple test to discover whether you trust others: Do you wait until you are utterly desperate before you talk about a problem? When you do talk, is it to only one person? Do you swear that person to secrecy? If so, you might be a burden-hoarder. Hoarding means to collect and amass items you can't bear to part with. The motive is fear. Hoarding is a sickness. It Continue Reading
Why You Can’t Afford to Re-Define Courage
Nobody wants to be a wimp. You like the idea of being the hero who saves the day, right? Me, too. Courage is an important virtue. Without it, we fail to stand up for ourselves and others. We let evil rule while we run for cover. Remember the beginning of "It's a Wonderful Life," starring Jimmy Stewart? Clarence, the angel assigned to help George Bailey, wants to know what George is struggling with. "Is he sick?" he queries. "Worse," comes the reply. "He's discouraged." Or the moment in "Toy Story" when Buzz Light Year realizes he is Continue Reading
Why It Can’t Be All About Just Getting Along
If you're anything like me, you don't like conflict. You avoid taking a position on tough issues, because you'd rather not offend others. Aren't we supposed to work at getting along with each other? Didn't Jesus teach that we should love others? Kumbayah, and all that? If your perception of Jesus is the Hippy Boyfriend version, that works. Kris Kristofferson's song comes to mind, "Jesus was a Capricorn, he ate organic food; he believed in love and peace, and never wore no shoes..." Okay, now you know how old I am. But I digress. Here's my focus: Continue Reading