Today is St. Patrick’s Day—a day when millions celebrate a “saint.”
But here’s a question worth asking: Who are saints, really? Continue reading
Category Archives: Discipleship
Are You Suffering from O.D.D.?
Brian Watman, in a Boston Globe article, “‘Have a Nice Day,’ the Conversational Irritant,” reports on a psychological counselor who had an “ODD” experience with a client.
The therapist had tentatively diagnosed the patient with ODD—Oppositional Defiant Disorder. You probably don’t have a psych dictionary on your apps, so here’s the Google definition of O.D.D.: “A behavioral condition characterized by a persistent pattern of angry, irritable mood, argumentative and defiant behavior, or vindictiveness.” Continue reading
Filed under Attitude, Discipleship
Two Spheres of Vengeance: Personal Restraint and Public Justice
“Romans 12 restrains the Christian’s hand; Romans 13 empowers the state’s sword. Confusing the two leads either to chaos or tyranny,” wrote the late author, theologian, and Christian apologist R. C. Sproul.
Sproul’s observation is both accurate and deeply scriptural. It captures the tension—and harmony—between two closely connected passages: Romans 12:17–21 and Romans 13:1–4. Together, they teach that vengeance is forbidden at the personal level but delegated at the governmental level. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Competing for Gold in the “Uphill”
“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34).
These words from the wise man came to my mind as I read this fine piece from the pen of F. LaGard Smith. Thanks to my good friend Ralph Walker for calling it to my attention.
You may enjoy other posts by LaGard from his facebook page. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, facebook friday
The Praise of AI, or the Praise of God?
“I have a confession: I’m an AI addict,” wrote Eben Shapiro in a Wall Street Journal article.
“Let others worry about AI putting millions of white-collar workers out of work,” Shapiro wrote. “What I’m most worried about is what ChatGPT really thinks of me. Does it care as much about me as I do about it?” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Love Bestowed, Not Deserved
Before John Newton ever preached grace, he despised it.
As a young man, John Newton lived a reckless, profane life. He rejected the faith of his upbringing, mocked Christianity, and became involved in the slave trade—participating in one of history’s darkest evils. By his own later admission, he was not merely indifferent toward God; he was openly hostile to Him. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
2 Chronicles 20, Our Eyes Are On You, O God!
In an age when political leaders often parade on the world stage, displaying arrogance, threats, and bluster, our passage today reveals a leader whose words are incredibly honest. Disarmingly so.
The text reveals Jehoshaphat’s attitude when he faced the imminent invasion by Moab and Ammon. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Passage To Ponder
Advice to My Teenage Self
WordPress, the platform we use for ThePreachersWord, provides a daily writing prompt to encourage bloggers to write every day.
Some of their prompts seem silly and rather frivolous, but this one caught my eye and prompted some reflection as I drifted off to sleep last night. I awoke this morning with the same question on my mind. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Spiritual Lessons from a Football Coach
Last week, Indiana University completed an improbable journey by winning the national football championship.
When coach Curt Cignetti was hired, IU had the ignoble distinction of losing more games in its 140-year history than any other university. In the past two years, Cignetti and IU are 27–2: Big Ten Champions, Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl winners, and National Champions—culminating in a perfect 16–0 season this year. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Preparation: The Key to Success
A friend of mine from Florida, Pat Weinmann, posted the above photo on my Facebook page. The image, which highlights the unseen work behind visible success, has been shared more than 34,000 times and liked by over 9,000 people. It clearly resonated with many viewers. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Success
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