Category: 2012 Column

Someone has said that the two most important words in the English language are, “I’m sorry.” There is power in those words, power to heal and power to set free. Perhaps the second most important words in the English language are, “I’m forgiven.” But what happens when we ask for forgiveness and we don’t really … Continue reading The sweet freedom of forgiveness

William Barclay said, “There may be greater sins than touchiness, but there is none that does greater damage to the Christian church.” I found that quote as I was studying what Paul wrote to Timothy in his second letter, instructing him that leadership requires thick skin, someone who is not easily offended. In fact, a … Continue reading Pressure cookers of resentment

Aristotle said years ago that a person’s credibility as a speaker is a product of his character and his competence. Someone said years later, “Your character is who you are in the dark.” When no one is looking, the choices you make reveal your true character. Your competence is your ability. When Aristotle’s students asked … Continue reading Character connected to performance

My wife spoke at a conference recently and asked eighty women, “How many of you have heard of Elisabeth Elliot?”  Only twenty hands went up. Cindy proceeded to share Elisabeth’s story, which really began in earnest after her husband Jim was speared to death on January 8, 1956 by the same men he was trying … Continue reading A woman every believer should know

As the story goes, a man was watching TV with his wife when the doorbell rang. He went to see who it was and found his friend on the doorstep . “What are you doing?” the friend asked. He said, “Watching a movie.” The friend said, “Oh, which one?” The man knit his brow and … Continue reading Don’t stop thinking about the Reason

Paul offers three pictures of faithfulness in his second letter to Timothy, which are suitable for framing. The first, not surprisingly, is that of a soldier. The two things that mark a soldier’s life are suffering and obedience. Soldiers expect to suffer, or “take their share of rough treatment.” Not true of most Christians: An … Continue reading Three pictures of faithfulness