Most of us want to stay away from infection, and as a result generally practice great care in washing our hands, avoiding people who are sneezing and coughing, and keeping a safe distance from folks who are contagious with the flu or some other bug. While these practices are great for medical concerns, we learn...
Amidst this time of graduation celebrations, we are reminded of all the planning and decisions that have transpired—what to serve, who to invite, where to host, but even more so, do I continue my education, where do I do so, what will I do after further training, or even where will I work or train...
Generally, all of us act, speak, and think in a particular way due to reasons. I mow my yard for the reason that my grass is long; I do the dishes for the reason that my wife cooked the meal; I pay the water and sewer bill for the reason that I value a shower...
I suspect we are all guilty to some extent of permitting small things to overwhelm us and detract us from greater things. To my shame I have often allowed some petty or small concern grow until it is nearly out of control and becomes something that consumes me. It might be something someone has said...
You have likely heard the statement, often offered as a subtle critique, of someone being “so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good.” After spending an entire chapter on the glory of the resurrection and the sure hope of our own glorious resurrection, Paul takes opportunity in closing out his letter to the...
I recall the “olden” days of classrooms with chalkboards and the task generally assigned to a student every couple of days to take the erasers outside and ‘bang them’ together in order to clean them. Of course, with the advent of computers and the recognition that chalk dust isn’t healthy for students or computers, we...
I am reminded of some years back hearing from my doctor that the 5 pounds I was gaining a year would end up really being a problem health wise. Through the course of a long season of time I endeavored to watch what I ate (no more Twinkies or Chinese buffets twice a week), and...
I liken Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 to that of “opinions”—everybody has one! Seriously though, Paul sets forth for us this week an extended discourse on spiritual gifts, which like all good things, if used improperly, will bring harm and not benefit. Our focus will be upon how we are to...
Up to this point we have seen Paul emphasize the necessity of reflecting God’s glory in our everyday lives. The sad reality that chapter 11 addresses is that despite Paul’s encouragement and exhortation, the church of Corinth actually failed to do so when they gathered for public worship. Paul addresses two of these areas specifically,...
Many of us are familiar with the idea of recipes, which describe to us how to properly mix something together that results in a delicious treat or meal. And it is likely that if you have spent any time in the kitchen pouring over a recipe card, you know from experience how important it is...
