Inner Strength, Who Has It?

Whimsical Monday

Inner Strength

If you can start the day without caffeine or pep pills,
If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,

If you can overlook when people take things out on you when,
through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can do all these things,

Then you are probably the family dog.

Author unknown.

 

What Enterprise Car Rental Can Teach the Church

Just saw the new Enterprise Car Rental advertising campaign.

It’s very simple but behind it is a great lesson for the Church. A series of Enterprise reps come on camera and simply say, “I can make it right.” A few add, “I don’t have to talk to someone else,” or “I don’t need to ask a manager“ One after another, another fresh and happy face says to potential customers with just those five words that they are ready and eager to make your next Enterprise experience a good one.How can Enterprise reps make such a claim?

For more see: What Enterprise Car Rental Can Teach the Church.

 

Does Conversion Always Produce a Change of Affection and Behavior?

People who believe in Christ ought to be changed. They ought to exhibit characteristics of having moved from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Or am I off target? For more see …

Does Conversion Always Produce a Change of Affection and Behavior?.

 

What Makes Preaching in a House Church So Good? (or bad)

There isn’t just one answer to that question. In some, there is no preaching. In some, everyone preaches. In some, preaching is more conversational. In some, it is very much …

For more, see: What Makes Preaching in a House Church So Good? (or bad).

 

Making Disciples with Asparagus

It’s that season again! Don’t miss any opportunities to interact with your neighbors. Create some new ones. Here’s a reminder from last spring.

Making Disciples with Asparagus.

 

The World We Live In Through Eyes of a Cynic

Live for more than your comfort, convenience, and security. Live to make Jesus known so that more will know unrestrained joy, both now and for eternity.

For More: The World We Live In Through Eyes of a Cynic.

 

Growing Churches by Stealing Sheep or Proclaiming Christ?

Can you preach the Bible and not preach the gospel? Did they train you at seminary or Bible college to make a beeline to the cross, from any text in the Scripture?

For more: Growing Churches by Stealing Sheep or Proclaiming Christ?.

 

Psalm 44 and the Silence of God

I have been talking to a number of people of late who seem to be in the doldrums in relationship to God. They love Him. They believe in Him. They are seeking to follow Him. And they can’t sense His presence. Historically, they have many biblical compatriots. The people of God are not immune from  from periodic dryness of Spirit. If that is you, perhaps today is the day to read psalm 44.

Psalm 44 and the Silence of God.

 

Why I Hate Prayer

Prayer is a constant battle.

And that is what makes it so hard–its constancy. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, speaking of the constancy of waiting in prison made the following observation in prison that I think applies equally well to prayer:

“Great battles …

for more:  Why I Hate Prayer.

 

The Overwhelming Steadfast Love of the Loving God

The Hebrew word khesed. I have been circling, and underlining, and highlighting and meditating on the word because of its prominence in Psalms 115-118.

The Overwhelming Steadfast Love of the Loving God.