You have heard me say it before: Pain is inevitable, being grumpy is optional. Is this true? Yes, that is true…and each of us has a choice in how we respond to pain (or anything, for that matter). It’s that simple. We can respond with negativity and irritation or with optimism and positivity. Which of the following reminds you of you when you are feeling pain? We can choose kindness and self-control. We can stop and take a deep breath before we spew hurtful words pour out of our mouths. We can be easy-going with a sense of humor. We can forgive even when we don’t feel like it. We can ask questions to gain a better understanding, and listen with...
After publicly admitting, “I know there’s no god,” the magician Penn Jillette goes on to say, “I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize; I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them because it would make it socially awkward, how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?” Penn continues with a great analogy to illustrate his point: “If I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that...
A person who lived sometime between the 10th and 6th centuries B.C. wrote this proverb: Proverbs 30:4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know! --It is amazing that the Old Testament (OT) writers spoke about the Son of God, Jesus, even though Jesus had not yet walked the planet? How could the Old Testament writers have thought to write this...if it wasn't for God inspiring them!?! And this is only one of hundreds of prophetic messages! No wonder Jesus said (in John...
