RSS FeedTHE TEMPTATION OF DEPRESSION
One of the greatest temptations facing us today is depression. We can get depressed very easily from unrealistic expectations, disappointed hopes, stress, overwork, not enough rest, sickness, physical disability, post-traumatic stress, inability to solve problems,...
THE TEMPTATION TO JUST BE YOURSELF
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone….’” (James 1:13-15) The oldest excuse for giving in to temptation is that of Adam: “Don’t blame me; blame Eve.” Eve said, “Don’t blame me; blame the...
THE TEMPTATION OF POWER
Henri Nouwen maintains that the third temptation of Jesus was the temptation of power. “The devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.”...
THE TEMPTATION OF POPULARITY
The second temptation to which Jesus was exposed was the temptation to do something spectacular, something that would win him great applause and popularity. “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from the highest point of the temple and let the angels catch...
THE TEMPTATION OF RELEVANCE
Henri Nouwen wrote a little book of reflections on Christian leadership entitled, IN THE NAME OF JESUS. In it he analyzed the three temptations of Jesus in the wilderness after he had been baptized by John the Baptist. The first temptation he characterized by the need...
TWO POWERFUL TESTIMONIES TO THE GOSPEL
I have just finished reading two Christian novels that I want to commend to your attention. THE BAGHDAD EUCHARIST by Sinan Antoon is about Christians in Iraq who are trying to survive in the midst of Islamic persecution. Antoon was born in 1967 in Baghdad. He received...
THE VALUE OF TAKING TIME TO STAND AND STARE
One of my favorite childhood poems which we had to memorize in school is LEISURE by W.H. Davies (1871-1940). Having lived a busy, goal-oriented life, the concept of leisure was always suspect. I always felt guilty if I found time on my hands. As I contemplate...
A WRINKLE IN TIME MOVIE
Holly Scheer has written an interesting review in The Federalist of the movie adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s novel, A WRINKLE IN TIME, revealing how modern cultural prejudices can sabotage the Christian world view. Click on the link below. ...
A CALL FOR POLITICAL REFORM
Chris Gibson spent twenty-nine years in the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of colonel and commanded the 82nd Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade. He served four combat tours in Iraq and was awarded four Bronze Star Medals and the Purple Heart. Raised in a...
MY DEBT TO BILLY GRAHAM
Billy Graham passed into glory on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, aged 99 years old. His death has occasioned numerous news stories and commentaries. His life and mine intersected at different times and I am indebted to him for his contribution to my Christian education...
Recent Comments