It has become a fairly common experience of contemporary life, saturated as it is by devices that are tracking us, to say something in a conversation and within hours or days receive advertising about that very topic. How often do you think about the fact that people are watching you? I’m not talking about governmentContinue reading “People are watching how you work – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14, Part 2”
Tag Archives: gossip
What do people say about you behind your back? – 1 Thessalonians 1:4–10, Preview
What do people say about you behind your back? You might answer, “I don’t know, because whatever they are saying, they are keeping it hidden from me. That is the definition of ‘behind your back’.” Okay, I’ll grant you that. But I won’t let you off the hook that easy. I suspect that most ofContinue reading “What do people say about you behind your back? – 1 Thessalonians 1:4–10, Preview”
How David’s dysfunctional family teaches us about love, boundaries, and deflating drama – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Part 5
In 2 Samuel chapter 15, David’s son Absalom is scheming again. This time he has his sights on the biggest prize. The throne. In verses 1-6, Absalom starts acting and talking to people like a king would act and talk. He rides a chariot with an entourage. He pronounces rulings by the city gate. HeContinue reading “How David’s dysfunctional family teaches us about love, boundaries, and deflating drama – 2 Samuel 9, 13, 14, 15, Part 5”
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”
How to escape the traps of gossip and seduction – Ecclesiastes 7:15-8:8, Part 3
It’s probably very familiar: you overhear a co-worker in the break room talking about you, or you peek over a family member’s shoulder and read their text messages, or the church grapevine gets back to you. Through one of these, you learn something negative someone said about us. You are embarrassed, hurt, and angry. TheContinue reading “How to escape the traps of gossip and seduction – Ecclesiastes 7:15-8:8, Part 3”
5 church family killers
Yesterday our community learned that police apprehended a man who is accused of, 25 years ago, killing a local school teacher. He has been living and working in our community all these years. Here’s the freaky thing, he has a long career as a popular DJ, and he recently deejayed our daughter’s 6th grade end-of-yearContinue reading “5 church family killers”
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”
What do you do when a leader messes up?
People talk about leaders a lot. We love to evaluate them and discuss how good, or how bad they are. They are more public, and so when they mess up, the mess up is usually known to a lot of people. Today’s new is filled with President Obama’s slip-up on an Aretha Franklin song. Tomorrow’sContinue reading “What do you do when a leader messes up?”
Engaging Scripture 