“I’m learning that my deepest lessons are learned when I look at what someone has said or done to me that was hurtful and ask the question, ‘How have I done this to others in my thoughts or actions?’”

Article by Malcolm Marler

As I sat in the meeting with a group of fellow co-workers (not my chaplain team), I was caught off guard by the comments of one of the group members. He critiqued a workshop that I had recently led in front of the group, and he told me how disappointed he was that I didn’t talk enough about some things he thought would have been more helpful to the audience.

I felt my face grow warm with embarrassment and I was aware of the tightness in my throat and the defensiveness in my voice.  Finally, I just sat back and listened, though I could feel the sadness in my heart and the pit in my stomach that he (and maybe others) was not impressed.

He did not approve.  I was not all that he wanted me to be, I had failed to impress or to be held in high esteem by this individual.  My stress level was on high alert.

Can you remember a time when you were criticized by a co-worker, a family member, or your spouse or partner? Read More »

Article by Kevin L. DeWitt

Have you ever have one of those unproductive days?  You know.  One of those days when you just feel a little lazy.  One of those days where you don’t want to work on anything on your to-do list?

We’ve all had those days.  I have.  None of us are productive all of the time.  The type of day where I did a little work but not everything I had planned.

Sometimes we didn’t get enough sleep; sometimes we just don’t have motivation; sometimes we get distracted by a new game …

So when this happens, what do you do?  It’s a matter of finding ways to still get the important things done when not feeling productive, and also allowing yourself to take breaks now and then.  Our minds and bodies need periodic breaks … we can’t go full charge all the time.

Here are some strategies for combating (or surviving) unproductive days: Read More »

Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church

There was a Matthew behind the Gospel of Matthew.  Matthew, a person much like us, wrote the Gospel which bears his name.  Like us, he knew the stress of fear and the power of hope.  He felt the anguish of guilt and the joy of forgiveness.  He cried and laughed.  And his life came together on the day Jesus called him to the ultimate adventure, “follow me.”

Those words were the invitation of a lifetime.  And by saying “yes” to the offer, Matthew walked into eternal salvation.  Such is the gospel’s power to transform us when we:

Accept our need for Christ;

Believe in Christ;

Commit our life to Christ. (Matt. 9: 9-13)

When Matthew arose from his tax collector’s table to follow Jesus, he became a first-hand witness to the world’s most amazing story.  Feeling responsible, he wrote an account of what he had seen and heard so future generations could know the events of Christ’s virgin birth, messianic ministry, atoning death, and victorious resurrection.

Forty years went by after Christ’s resurrection before Matthew wrote his account.  Then under God’s inspiration, he penned the tale that is told the world over.  The last verse of his twenty-eight chapters climaxes not only the Great Commission but his entire Gospel.  It’s the promise of Jesus never to abandon us, “and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Read More »

“… It calls us home and reminds us that life is good, and that we need to be still and quiet.”

Article by Malcolm Marler

A few months ago I wrote the following words to my wife, Mary, in an email:

“When we move from the lake, my hope and prayer will be that whatever and wherever it is, it will be a step toward radical simplicity.  A step towards making time for relationships, yours and mine, as well as with others, and a lifestyle that is enriched by doing what we love, and not what we feel like we have to do.  I don’t know what all of that means, but I like to dream of it.”

And so my simplicity journey began. It was a step, a beginning, a stirring, a calling to walk a new pace.

In Richard Foster’s book, Freedom of Simplicity, he states that simplicity is rooted in the spiritual.  Simplicity is not about becoming an ascetic and hating material possessions.  It is about understanding that happiness through owning stuff is limited, and our peace, joy, and inherent value comes from God. Read More »

Article by Mary Bea Sullivan

One of the dictionary definitions for “integrity” is, “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.”

Seems simple enough.  Yet if we choose to be vigilant about what we say and do, we might find it is no easy task…

Maybe I am just projecting my own shortcomings on all of you.

Recently I have had a few occasions where I “noticed” how I was hoping to wiggle out of “full disclosure.”  In one case, there were some messy, hard things happening in the relationship and it seemed easier to gloss over them than it was to be straight with the other person.

In the short-run that strategy can work, but over time my little “white lies” always tend to pile up into a heap that becomes unmanageable. The gifted psychotherapist, Virginia Satir had a saying about “taking out the trash” every day in relationships.  I guess we would have a lot less to clean up if we “noticed” the trash we were about to throw down and avoid making the mess in the first place.

Just the other day I was dealing with someone in a business transaction. When she came to our home I knew we were going to interview other people for the “job.”  In fact, I intended to tell her that.  But when she was sitting there at my kitchen table in the flesh, it felt too uncomfortable to tell her the truth.  After a couple of days, I got up the nerve to let her know our plans.  She was gracious and understanding, but I could tell she was hurt.  I hoped to remember to be more honest from the beginning next time. Read More »