Imagine with me that Jesus shows up in the flesh in your community. I live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA, and I’m writing this in April 2023. What would it be like if Jesus lived here? I’m not talking about his second coming. I’m talking about a fictional scenario. A thought project. Just as JesusContinue reading “Would Jesus make you angry? – John 10:22-42, Preview”
Tag Archives: anger
Fight or Flight: How do you handle pain? – Ezekiel 19, Preview
What do you do when you are upset? It is fascinating to me how differently we humans handle our pain. Have you ever heard of “fight or flight”? While there are other ways to handle pain, fight or flight are two common ones. The fighters among us tend to get aggressive and confront the painContinue reading “Fight or Flight: How do you handle pain? – Ezekiel 19, Preview”
When battling a bad habit or sin feels like a losing fight – Colossians 3:5-11, Part 4
How do you overcome a bad habit, a sinful struggle? It’s difficult, right? It can feel like entering a boxing ring, doing battle every day, often losing. Does that resonate with you? There is hope and there is help! In our five-part study of Colossians 3:5-11, Paul says in verse 7 that Christians had anContinue reading “When battling a bad habit or sin feels like a losing fight – Colossians 3:5-11, Part 4”
How to avoid your boss getting angry at you – Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20, Part 5
One of the worst feelings is when your boss is angry at you. Here’s how to avoid it. In our final section of Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20, the Teacher (the author of Ecclesiastes) writes a proverb in verses 18-19 that is connected to the illustration he previously used of to help us determine if a leader isContinue reading “How to avoid your boss getting angry at you – Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20, Part 5”
Sick and tired of 2020? – Ecclesiastes 8:9-15, Part 1
This fall I’m teaching an online class: The Gospels, the Life of Jesus. In a recent assignment the students were to find a current events article that somehow connects to what we had been studying in the Gospel of Mark. One student found an article which reported that more than likely, even if there isContinue reading “Sick and tired of 2020? – Ecclesiastes 8:9-15, Part 1”
How to overcome anger and discontentment, and have joy – Ecclesiastes 7:1-14, Part 4
Look at the woman in the picture. What do you notice? Longing, perhaps. Someone who is on the outside and wants to be on the inside. Frustration with life, maybe. Some who is upset enough to lean their forehead against a door. I wonder if something happened on the other side of the door thatContinue reading “How to overcome anger and discontentment, and have joy – Ecclesiastes 7:1-14, Part 4”
What to focus on when you are in pain – Acts 6:8-8:3, Part 3
When we’re in pain, usually we just want it to go away. At least that’s how I am. I can get very worked up emotionally, imagining that I’ll be in pain the rest of my life. So far, that thought of mine has never been true, as the pain heals. What it reveals is thatContinue reading “What to focus on when you are in pain – Acts 6:8-8:3, Part 3”
How to respond to family drama – Characters: Joseph, Part 4
How do you respond to family drama? Roll your eyes? Frustration? Anger? Weeping? It is particularly difficult when it is the kind of family drama that has hurt you. When your family has betrayed you, the pain can go so deep. Have you ever experienced that? What should you do? How should you respond? InContinue reading “How to respond to family drama – Characters: Joseph, Part 4”
God wants me to be happy, not angry, and never to doubt? [False ideas Christians believe about…God’s desires for Christians. Part 4]
In 1 Timothy 3:12 we read that “all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Woah. Maybe God doesn’t want us to be happy, and only cares about us becoming godly or holy, even if it takes us being persecuted? How are we to understand this? Does GodContinue reading “God wants me to be happy, not angry, and never to doubt? [False ideas Christians believe about…God’s desires for Christians. Part 4]”
How to defeat temptation and discontentment – Luke 4:1-14
Is there a certain area of your life where you regularly feel discontent? Consider doing what Jesus did. Create a game plan to attack the temptation of discontent when it arises: Step 1 – Choose a small portion that addresses the temptation. Step 2 – Memorize it. Step 3 – Review it over and over.Continue reading “How to defeat temptation and discontentment – Luke 4:1-14”
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