I have been greatly encouraged and motivated lately by a simple little thought that has helped me with larger tasks and goals – particularly helping me with attitude. The idea: Win little victories. I may not be able to climb the whole flight of stairs, but I can take the first two. I may not be able to lose 100 pounds, but I can lose 2. I may not be able, metaphorically, to take the Promised Land, but I can cross the Jordan River. Tom Peters calls this milestoning. And it’s a critical thing to do.
+++++++
Thirty-seven years I have followed Christ, and somehow this hymn and its lyrics have passed me by. I saw the words last week, and it blew me away. Written in the mid 1800s by Anne Cousin, before it was a hymn it was a poem inspired by the letters and the last words of Samuel Rutherford. Only later was it set to music. (Sorry hymn purists, but I’m ready for a 21st-century musical update.) It actually has 18 or 19 stanzas, but here are the ones that are typically sung: [click to continue…]
Imagine you’re through the pearly gates, roaming the streets of gold getting the lay of the land. It’s heaven, baby! Not a concept or a wish, but the real deal.
There are people there – some you know, many more you’re still meeting. Famous people and unknowns. A few claims to fame; myriads upon myriads of testimonies of God’s grace and love. Names from every tongue and tribe known to man.
Let me tell about an introduction you’ll never hear:
“Hi! I’m the woman caught in adultery.”
On this side, that’s all we know to call her.
On this side, that or something like it may be all somebody may be able to say about you.
Reputations and memories can be brutal, unforgiving things. But the one thing more relentless than a disgraceful legacy is the scandalous grace of God.
This nameless woman had a name her parents had given her. Maybe it was Ruth or Mary, Joanna or Phoebe. But she had one, and used it.
She’ll also have a new name written down in glory. One known only to her, fresh from the whisper of God.
This was a woman whose world was rocked and life was changed by five words: [click to continue…]
Tense Truth: God has established clearly-defined principles of life management that can make me prosper, and my tomorrow better than today. Yet for his own good purposes, God will allow me to suffer in order to further the gospel, transform my character, and mature my faith. Regardless of the what the circumstances of the moment suggest, God is for me, and will reward faithfulness, to some degree in this life, and to a much greater degree in the next.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mention the word “prosperity” to American Evangelical Christians and you’ll get one of two responses. The first is a kind of entranced smile – a brightened countenance very similar to the sheer delight we used to see from people at an Amway meeting.
The second is that uncomfortable, “what do you mean by that?” kind of look, suggesting that money is the world’s curse, and that people who have it must be materialistic swine or should somehow apologize or feel guilty.
So which are you? “Amen?” Or “Oh me?” Or maybe, like me, you vacillate from one to the other.
The challenge with all this is that the Bible categorically promises success to people who live according to principles or laws that God has established. “Everything he does will prosper,” the psalmist said in Psalm 1. And check out those blessings mentioned by Moses in Deuteronomy.
That said, the Bible also deals with the apparent contradiction of that – the prosperity of the wicked. Those mirroring psalms – 37 and 73 – both deal with that. The wicked does have his day, the psalmist concludes, but God has a way of sorting things out in the end, when it matters most.
Meanwhile, in the New Testament, Jesus didn’t promise a life without tribulation. On the contrary, He said we would have it, despite what people uniquely in America sometimes promise. Our rewards are presented mostly as heavenly, post-life promises. But even in places, such as here, there is the declaration that God has obligated Himself to meet all our needs.
So which is it? Suffering in this age, followed by our eternal treasure in heaven? Or timeless principles that work in the age to come, but also may be claimed, believed, and acted on here?
Yes.
Does God want you and me to be rich?
[click to continue…]
Somebody gave a very large sum of money to a respected businessman to bless a poor pastor. Thinking that the amount was too much to send all at once, the businessman forwarded just a portion along with a note that said simply, “More to come…” In a few days the pastor received another envelope containing the same amount of money and the same message: “More to come…” At regular intervals, there came a third, and a fourth. In fact, they continued, along with those encouraging words, until the entire sum had been received.
In much the same way, the Holy Spirit has chosen to give us His blessing in “measured amounts.” It’s staggering to realize the full extent of the salvation Jesus Christ has purchased for us. It will take eternity to comprehend it all. So as you receive good things from the hand of a good God, remember, there’s more where that came from. And if you have ever thought of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, here is a sampling of what He promises:
[click to continue…]
“You wanna see what the room looks like?” Geoffrey asked. “The room” was the hotel room where my son was staying. Geoffrey was his best man and is his best friend.
I was a bit out of the loop. I thought I was going to be looking at a brochure of the Houston Marriott or something. What Geoffrey brought instead was a camera.
Off and on during this wedding day I had wondered what the heck Joel was up to. Why was he running behind? Why wasn’t he at the church when I thought he was supposed to be? Why were people calling, looking for him? What was so important?
I had showed up at the church about 4:45 – 15 minutes late myself. He was nowhere to be found. Getting the car washed, Geoffrey said.
Car washed! Photographer was waiting, people were wondering, and he? He was washing.
Now, some five hours later, that clean car has just left the building with the newlyweds on board. And Geoffrey is scrolling through the pictures on his camera. These weren’t publicity pics. They were the results of a groom’s labor to prepare a place – a special place – for his bride. I’ll spare you the details, but there were candles, rose petals, a picnic basket, and much more, I’m sure.
[click to continue…]
(A Turning Point Story)
This is an article I first wrote about my son 16 years ago, about what a powerful thing encouragement can be. It means as much to me today, if not more, as it did in 1993. Click “share this” and forward it to the encouragers in your life. Thank them for being your “Face in the Window.” And let somebody know you’ll be theirs….
It was one of those forgettable days, when nothing seemed to go right. I was physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. The summer heat was unbearable, the humid West Alabama air unbreatheable. But I had to bear it, and I had to breathe it on this day.
Name a pitiful emotion – I’m sure I felt it on that day. Rejection, anger, discouragement, depression, loneliness, fear, shame – they all showed up with the intention of staying.
“Nobody needs you,” they said. “And nobody believes in you.”
It was a day of giving. Normally that rejuvenates me, but not today. On this Saturday, I had given time, love, and tenderness, together with a whole lot of physical energy. I had given my best (I thought). Apparently, others had disagreed, and I had been humiliated in front of a large family gathering.
I was spent. I would say that I came home with my tail tucked between my legs, but honestly I don’t think I was standing that tall.
[click to continue…]
I have been greatly encouraged and motivated lately by a simple little thought that has helped me with larger tasks and goals – particularly helping me with attitude. The idea: Win little victories. I may not be able to climb the whole flight of stairs, but I can take the first two. I may not be able to lose 100 pounds, but I can lose 2. I may not be able, metaphorically, to take the Promised Land, but I can cross the Jordan River. Tom Peters calls this milestoning. And it’s a critical thing to do. 