If you're a woman, think about how many times you've walked into a new situation and started out by complimenting the other women in the room. I really like that color on you. Those shoes are super cute! I love your earrings. Or am I the only one? I thought not. Compliments aren't inherently good or bad. It all depends on our motive. If praise is genuine and flows from a pure motive of building others up, compliments are great. But if praise is false or the motive is to fend off insecurity and get others to like us ... maybe not so much. I'm a natural encourager, careful to Continue Reading
This Restriction Will Liberate You
God’s rules are for our good and for his glory. Right. I know this in my head; my heart is a little slower on the uptake. Over the last couple of years, three books I read converged into a perfect storm of theological truth on a very important spiritual law. The one about keeping God’s Sabbath rest. I’m not just talking about petty rules concerning which day to set aside for worship, or what you can and can’t do that day. I’m talking about a lifestyle free from the idol of control. This is a tough one for us, immersed as we are in a culture of constant activity and Continue Reading
Why You Need Less Snark and More of This
Like a gem set in a crown, this important character quality sparkles throughout the New Testament. It’s mentioned in letters addressed to a young pastor, it's part of an oft-quoted passage on the peace of God, and it's part of the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus himself exemplified it better than anyone. Yet this characteristic, so vital for every Christian, is highly under-rated in our snarky culture. When was the last time you heard a sermon expounding the importance of gentleness? According to the Bible, gentleness is not the same as being a wimp. A quick word study in a few Continue Reading
Six Ways to Help In a Crisis
You just heard someone in your small group lost a parent to cancer. A family down the street lost their house in a fire. Your friend’s son, who had been dealing drugs, has disappeared. Hard things happen on this sin-sick planet, and when they do, our response can make all the difference for the suffering ones. Here are some helpful suggestions for what to say and do when tragedy strikes: Be present. Expressing your concern via social networking is a good first step, but don’t leave it at that. Your physical presence, or even the sound of your voice on the phone, can bring a comfort Continue Reading