I had lunch recently with a businessman who runs his own company. As we talked, the subject of wisdom kept popping up in our conversation. So I asked, “How does a person get wisdom? I realize we are to be men of wisdom, but few people ever talk about how it is acquired.” His answer was quick and to the point: “Pain.”
Read MoreCategory Archives: Failure
Conforming or Transforming
Romans 12:1 deals with the physical, our bodies. Romans 12:2 deals with the metaphysical, our minds. Jews focused all of their attention on the ethical, public behavior of a person, which is good in many ways. However, Jesus was not satisfied with mere external, physical obedience. He called for His followers to have clean hearts […]
Read MoreThe Sweetest Prayer
Repent! For some the word conjures up fiery preachers with piercing eyes; a bony finger pointed in the face of a “sinner in the hands of an angry God.” But repentance isn’t always like that. Sometimes it means a quiet acknowledgement that things aren’t right, and a humble resolve to change our thinking. Either way […]
Read MoreIt Brought Down a King, It’ll Do the Same to You
Sometimes I learn things in strange ways. And I annoy the people around me because I get so excited about the things I learn and the weird ways I learn them that I just have to tell all about it. For example, I had a couple of thoughts the other day while watching an episode […]
Read MoreAlternatives to Grace
Isaiah 44:22 NLT If I choose not to risk, if I go the “safe” route and determine not to promote either salvation by grace or a lifestyle of grace, what are the alternatives? Four come to my mind, all of which are popular these days. 1. I can emphasize works over grace. I can tell […]
Read MoreWhen God Says “No”. . .Pray
When nobody is around and when we’re able to be absolutely honest with ourselves before God, we entertain certain dreams and hopes. We want very much by the end of our days to have _________________________ (fill in the blank). However, it may well be that we will die with that desire unfulfilled. Should that occur, […]
Read MoreThick Glass
One of the realities of raising a neurologically disabled child is what I call “thick glass.” Thick glass is the clear yet mostly impenetrable divider between a parent’s unconditional love for his or her child and the child’s seeming total lack of response—that disheartening vacant look. Parents grieve behind thick glass, ever longing to touch […]
Read MoreRedeeming the Seasons of Life
Some years ago I surprised my family by taking them to “Disney on Ice.” When I pre-purchased the tickets, the salesperson warned me that they offer no refunds. “Fine,” I said and scribbled the date and time on my calendar. As the date approached, I watched my daughters’ excitement reach a fever pitch. Not even […]
Read MoreHow to Stop Expecting Perfection
Not being a bumper-sticker freak, I find myself turned off by most of the stuff people announce on rear windows and back bumpers. But years ago I noticed one I’ve never forgotten. For some reason, it stuck in my cranium as firmly as on chrome. You’ve seen it dozens of times: CHRISTIANS ARE NOT PERFECT, […]
Read MoreFacing the Tough Stuff of Inadequacy: When the Truth Comes Out
Imposter. Pretender. Fraud. Call it insecurity, fear of failure, or an identity crisis: Most men are driven by an unspoken, and often unacknowledged, sense of inadequacy. What’s more, they fear that their inadequacy will be exposed and their true identity will be revealed. They will be found out as the poser they really are. Posing […]
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