Bad for Our Bodies Good for Our Souls
September 5, 2024 by admin
Filed under Life Topics
The recent elections in Iran have fomented a burgeoning revolution of people standing up against government corruption. On the political level, it is a power play over who’s in control. On the popular level, Iran is crossing a threshold of what people there are willing to put up with, and the implications for the whole Middle East, and indirectly for all of us, could be huge.
Not To Be Dramatic But…
By Darren Marlar
One good thing about losing your full-time job is that you suddenly have time to do those things you’ve always wanted to do. The sad thing about losing your full-time job is that you suddenly have no money to do those things you’ve always wanted to do. There’s a painful irony for you. Fortunately, what I wanted to do didn’t require money. For me, losing my position last week meant I could finally get involved at church, and yesterday I had the opportunity to audition for the drama team. For those of you who spent all of your time on the football field in high school, I’ll try to clarify. To audition means to try out. I had to try out for the drama team. Fortunately I didn’t have to wear shoulder pads or tight pants. (Did it never bother you guys that you were wearing the same thing that girls in the 80’s found fashionable for themselves?)
Lifted Up
In James 4:10, we’re told, “When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on Him, He will lift you up and give you honor.”Does that mean that if I just humble myself, my day will come? The promotion for which I was passed over will one day be mine? The house-of-many-problems will turn into my dream house? I’ll get to fly First Class, for once?
In the Image of God
September 2, 2024 by admin
Filed under Personal Growth
Slamming the front door, I'd march into the house shouting, "I hate you!” My sweet, even-tempered mother would calmly walk into my room, and say, "Now Cheri, I can see you are angry, but you really don't hate anyone. You may dislike or even hate what they do, but you don't hate them. After all, they, too, were created by God.” I hated that. She was right, but when you are really angry, it takes all of the punch out of your anger to admit you loved the person God created, but not who they have become. There are a lot of people today who fall into this category. They no longer are the people God created them to be. Some are even downright evil, yet we know from Scripture, God created everyone to live in union with Him. So how do we stop evil from overcoming the world, from overcoming us? I believe we begin with this premise, and then teach it to our children, and their children, and their children's children—that everything was and everyone is created by God.
Who Touched Me?
By Jacqueline Hannah
She sat opposite me at the small table nestled in the back corner of a busy coffee shop. Her hands folded and unfolded. Her eyes, serious and direct, watched for my reaction. “I can’t go on like this much longer. Maybe I should end it all. It would be so much better for my family. They wouldn’t have to deal with my fears, my outbursts, and my depression. Each day is different – they’re never sure what to expect.”
