Ecclesiastes 12:10

   In Matthew 20 Jesus tells us a story of some workers upset about their pay. After agreeing to work for a set amount, they become upset when at the end of the day the owner pays those that came later in the day the same pay as them. They see this as being cheated even though it was the pay, they agreed to.   Often when we read this, we think about the workers but the parable is telling us more about the owner than them. He is generous. He is fair. And he is hiring.   It seems like every store is hiring right now.  I talk to business owners who lament how hard it is to get and keep workers right now.  They say people don’t want to work.   Is that a problem the Lord is having?   God is always trying to get more people to work in his kingdom. It does not matter to him how much time they have left, he wants them. He offers good rewards and plenty of opportunities.  Yet it seems the workers are not happy.   Some don...

  Do you know why coins have ridges?     It goes back to when coins were made from precious metals and a practice known as coin clipping. Coins that were made of precious metals -- gold and silver, had intrinsic value beyond their stated denominations. You could shave a bit off the edge of a coin, keep the clipped-off piece for yourself, and use the almost-complete coin in a subsequent transaction. Over time the coins would shrink to a point that they would be no longer useful as currency. This practice also made it very easy to counterfeit coins since the size was prone to shrink. The ridges help to stop coin clipping.  The idea came from none other than Isaac Newton, the famed physicist that articulated the rules around gravity, force, motion, inertia, etc. The part of the tale that I want to focus on however is why it was Newton.   The idea came toward the end of his career when Newton was Warden of the Royal Mint. This position was, typically, co...

    Abraham Lincoln once served as a character witness, although it is doubtful he did much good. When asked about the word of a man named Peter Lukins, Lincoln responded honestly, “Well, he is called Lyin’ Pete Lukins.       In the Scriptures, we get some insight into the nature of some biblical characters by the names they are given.   Jacob is called Israel or one who struggles with God. The Son of Encouragement, Barnabas, Simon Peter the Rock, The Sons of Thunder, James and John. Some of these names were imparted by Jesus himself.      So, what might Jesus give you as a nickname? He knows our hearts and our ways better than anyone.   Complainer? The Servant? Joy Killer? Learner? The Encourager? The Gossip?      What trait is the one that defines us in the eyes of others?   Is it one that is befitting of a Christian?     Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildo...

    Scripture is clear about holiness: "but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy ." 1 st Peter 1:15-16 "For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness ." 1 st Thessalonians 4:7 " Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord ." Hebrews 12:14   The problem isn't in understanding. It is in application. We know we must be holy, but we are less apt to apply that wholeheartedly. Our holiness is full of holes. We might have holiness in our church life but not as much in our business life. Our relationships might be holy, but our language is lacking. Our outside persona is, but our inner man is more like Swiss cheese.   The Biblical call of holiness is across the board. It's not just for the church pew, or the civic function or the public spotlight. It's at the kitchen table and behind the driv...

  As comedian Jerry Sinfield pointed out, we only have a problem with hair when it comes off the head. We touch someone’s hair, even kiss them on the head, but when we find a hair on its own, it’s the most vile, disgusting thing. I guess it comes down to having something where it is not supposed to be.   I think that is why when people see sin in the church, they are so much more appalled than when they see it in other places. We encounter hypocrisy, pettiness, gossip, partiality, rudeness, and impurity every day in the world. Yet when it happens to people at church, they are more appalled.   Because, like a hair in our food, they know it is not supposed to be there. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.   Ephesians 5:3-4   That is why we must be so careful as the faith...

  As an old country preacher put it, “Some Christians are so sour you’d think they were baptized in pickle juice.” Now we may be quick to dismiss this as just some person's attitude and that is just the way we are, except the Bible commands us to do something different:   Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord . Philippians 3:1 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you . 2 nd Corinthians 13:11   Rejoice always ; 1 st Thessalonians 5:16   Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4     Now with any other command, if we didn’t do it, we say it was wrong, or if we said it didn’t apply, we argue it does, or if we are told to do it, and we do something else, we say it was an error, so why do we think it is ok to not rejoice and have a souring disposition.   The word rejoice, as it was used in these passages, means ‘to...

   In Galatians 6:1, we are told, “ Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. ”   Helping another see and overcome their error is a good thing, but it also can be a dangerous thing as well.   The person confronting a false teacher can fall into a judgmental spirit. A man trying to correct a falsehood may succumb to gossip and slander toward those that spread the lie. A man standing against evil may let his good action swell him up with pride. A man trying to defend against an accusation may turn and attack in the same evil manner.   Often our pride keeps us from seeing the pit we are trying to help others out of is a place we also can slip into. That does mean we should try to help others. It just means we need to do so carefully with the right attitude and in the right way.