John Wesley is one of the founders of what came to be called the “Methodist” denomination. People erroneously thought Wesley’s followers were using a “method” to gain salvation rather than making a commitment to simply accept salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross. Wesley actually believed that it is not only essential for us to…
President Ronald Reagan said, “The person who agrees with you 80% of the time is a friend and an ally, not a 20% traitor.” What’s true in politics is also true in relationships, and especially in marriage. Focus on the 80%. Time, 1/29/18, p.24 In the midst of a disagreement, it is hard to remember all…
In February of 2014, a man in China had a nasty breakup with his girlfriend before Valentine’s Day. The jealous man bought all of the odd numbered seats in a local theater for February 14th so that couples couldn’t sit together during the movie. Those last five letters of jealousy are there for a reason. Reader’s Digest,…
The figure of speech, “sowing the seeds of discontent” has been around for centuries. It refers to the practice of starting a process of convincing people that a future event or problem is likely to happen, and the process itself causes the event or problem to happen. While that can be a negative thing, the…
Is it okay to have doubts about God? In fact, it is not unusual for people to have doubts, especially when we are feeling vulnerable and insecure. When we don’t feel worthy of God’s love, and when things aren’t going well, it is easy to wonder if God has abandoned us, or if He was…
If you saw someone back into someone else’s unoccupied car in a parking lot, and cause a big dent or a broken headlight, and then just drive away, would you take the time and effort to leave a note on the windshield giving the license plate number of the hit-and-run driver? Or would you just…
A thought-provoking plaque in a gift shop reads: “Learning changes your mind. Exercise changes your body. Who you choose to love changes who you are.” Think about that! We didn’t have a choice about who brought us into this world, but at some point in our lives, we do have a choice about who we…
Most thinking people can’t help but wonder why we exist, and what it all means. Rev. Charley Reeb, preacher and author, has compiled a list of seven questions people want answers to: “I wonder if God Exits. I wonder why bad things happen to good people. I wonder why my prayers go unanswered. I wonder…
Have you ever wondered why you are here? Not the old “senior moment” joke where you go into a room and can’t remember why you are there, but the bigger question of why you were put on this earth. It’s the kind of thing that sometimes comes up when we feel like we could be…
There are many stories in the Bible that demonstrate the concept of mercy. The first one that comes to mind is the story of the Good Samaritan. That story is particularly instructive in light of the history of the time. Jews and Samaritans were not on the same social level. The Samaritans were considered inferior.…