Bonnet and Crossbeak
Through this story of the rescue of two trapped whales, Chuck points out how eager we are to help in these situations, but how slow we are to set one another free from our own lists, inhibitions, restrictions, and expectations.
Culture
Culture
Culture is the set of principles, values, behaviours, and beliefs characteristic of a particular group of people. We are all born and immersed in the culture of the world, which is opposite the culture of heaven.
Receiving Christ as your Saviour means you shift from the world’s culture to heaven’s culture. Your aim as a believer is now to learn as much about heaven’s culture as you can and, increasingly, live it out on earth.
Persistence and Determination
The thing that makes for greatness is determination, persisting in the same direction over the long haul. Success is the result of a long, painful, arduous, sometimes sacrificial process. In our world of instant everything these are not popular traits, but they lead to excellence.
Hippies and Yuppies
We can’t help but be affected for the worse by the cultural atmosphere of our times. However, living in God’s spiritual kingdom can’t help but affect and shape us too—only for the better.
Wisdom Literature
The pursuit of success can drag you down and lead you away from God’s Word and Spirit. Only by stepping away from life’s rat race will you begin to experience real success and satisfaction on God’s terms.
Four Modern Philosophies
The man-made philosophies of materialism, hedonism, humanism, and fatalism are false foundations that will never bring contentment. Examine your lifestyle—are any of these philosophical foundations guiding your decisions?
Where Mottos Break Down
“If it feels good, do it.” Six single-syllable words comprise the motto of this generation. God gave us the senses, but if pushed to a far enough extreme, we move into either heresy or perversion.
Peer Pressure
Standing alone is tough. It’s easier to fit in, to be a people-pleaser. Look at your home, your work, your relationships and ask yourself, “Am I any different from the world?”
Superstition
We become superstitious when we’re unsure about God’s truth. Superstition is bondage. It puts us in chains, enslaves us, and steals our joy. Christ came to set us free from this oppression.
Keep the Word Handy
If you have a smartphone or tablet you have the Bible right at your fingertips. And if you take the time to read it, the Bible will make all the difference in your life.
Promoting Integrity
We think of promotions as a positive thing and they usually are, but promotions can also bring devastation to your integrity. Remember when you’re promoted it came by God’s sovereign grace.
