Giving Yourself Permission

Back when I was in grade school, it was always a special treat when the teacher gave the class permission to do something unusual. I remember one hot and humid Houston afternoon when she gave everyone permission to go barefoot after lunch. We got to pull off our socks, stick ’em in our sneakers, and wiggle our toes all we wanted to. During the afternoon recess that extra freedom added great speed to our softball game on the playground.

The Potter and the Clay

By now in our Christian walk we hardly need the reminder that life is not a cloud-nine utopia. It is a terribly unrealistic view to think that Christ helps you live happily ever after; it’s downright unbiblical! Most of life is learning and growing, falling and getting back up, forgiving and forgetting, accepting and going on.

Handwriting

There is nothing quite like the charm and personal touch conveyed by a handwritten note. Since our penmanship, like our fingerprint, is altogether unique, each curve of the letter or stroke of the pen bears its own originality. There is personality and warmth and, yes, special effort too; for, after all, it’s much more efficient to click on the PC, bang out a few lines on the keyboard, and print it.

Forgotten Side of Success

We are a success-saturated society. The telltale signs are everywhere. Each year dozens of books and magazines, scores of audiotapes and videotapes, and hundreds of seminars offer ideas, motivation, techniques, and promises of prosperity.

Getting Involved

Difficult though it may be to believe, there are Christian people who are out of touch and uninvolved in the town or city where you live. And also in the church where you worship. They need you. What’s more, you need them.

Good Things, Bad World

Paul certainly proved himself a prophet when he wrote: “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1).

Knowing the Future

Quick now, what woman in recent years not only won the prestigious “Woman of the World” award but was named the “Most Admired Woman” in the world for three consecutive years? Former First Lady Barbara Bush or perhaps Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O’Connor? Maybe Mrs. Thatcher of Great Britain? All wrong.

Miles That Matter

John Steinbeck’s delightful little volume Travels with Charley fascinates me each time I read it. It tells how the author and his dog took to the highways, traveling hundreds of miles, encountering all sorts of interesting people and intriguing situations.

Be Gracious

Paul deals with the value of being gracious in your Christian walk in 1 Thessalonians 2:7–11: “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

It’s Time to Take Time

Years ago my older son, then a teenager, and I dropped by the local Hallmark shop to find Cynthia a card for Mother’s Day. Somewhat bored with the process, Curt wandered back to the posters and soon called me to come look at one he liked. It was a picture of a boat on a very still lake at dawn.