Desire (Stress Reducers Part 1 of 10)

In 1978, I had a job that left me tied in knots. When I realized how stressed I was, I decided I would either find a way to be relaxed at all times, no matter how great the pressure, or I’d find another job. The solutions took time to discover and even longer to apply. […]

Useless (Part 2 of 2)

One day, Jesus took offense when someone addressed him as good. “Why do you call me good?” he said. “There is none good but God” (Matthew 19:17). We know Jesus lived without sin (Hebrews 4:15), which sounds like “good” to me.Maybe Jesus was speaking from the man’s perspective, that the man had missed understanding the […]

Useless (Part 1 of 2)

When I was in high school, we had our examples of useless: a screen door on a submarine or high-heeled tennis shoes. Jesus defined useless as salt that isn’t salty or a lamp that doesn’t shine. I once owned a car with a blown engine, thinking I’d get it running one day. For as long […]

Prayer Paradigm

What we believe about prayer will determine when, how, and what we choose to pray. If we don’t believe God is listening or will answer, we probably won’t pray at all. Some Christians think they must be deserving before God will give them what they want, following the cultural paradigm of Jesus’ day. Standing before […]