A recent article in the Harvard Business Review (May 2011) unpacked the idea of Being More Productive.They interviewed two leading experts, David Allen and Tony Schwartz, to discuss whether the secret to effectiveness is the right system or the right state of mind. Here are a few of their insights: From David Allen, best-selling author … Continue reading Some Productivity Insights
Renewing Your Energy
At our staff prayer meeting last week, I shared a few thoughts about ENERGY. In Psalm 23, we learn that God desires to "renew our strength" or "restore our soul." Energy is one of our most valuable resources (not just 'time'). When someone brings 'energy' to a meeting, appointment or interaction, what does it look like? We … Continue reading Renewing Your Energy
Remember Your Death
The following is a transcript of part of a speech by Steve Jobs at the Stanford University Commencement in 2005 (click here for the full text). As Moses said, may God teach us to number our days rightly so we may present to him a heart of wisdom (Ps.90:12). Steve Jobs When I was 17, I read a quote … Continue reading Remember Your Death
How will it all END (Pt.6)?
How should we then LIVE? We should live “ready” for Christ to come at any moment (Lk.21:34-36) but “working diligently” as if he may not come back in our lifetime. We should avoid extremes (over-preoccupation with a sneaky rapture vs. trying to create heaven here on earth). To quote Tony Campolo, “Any theology that does … Continue reading How will it all END (Pt.6)?
How will it all END (Pt.5)?
Things to Occur AFTER the Second Coming 1. Judgement and reward for believers. There are two judgements – one for believers, the judgement seat of Christ, which is not about salvation but about reward for the “good works” we have done (2 Cor.5:10). [One area of debate amongst end time theologians is when the ‘millennium’ … Continue reading How will it all END (Pt.5)?
How will it all END (Pt.4)?
Things to occur AT the second coming 1. The appearance of Jesus in glory. Jesus’ return will be with “a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God” (1 Thess.4:13-18). He will return in great glory, the glory of his Father (Mt.16:27; 19:28; 25:31). The angelic hosts will … Continue reading How will it all END (Pt.4)?
How will it all END (Pt.3)?
An Order of End Time Events Without being dogmatic in any way, here is what I see happening BEFORE the second coming of Jesus. NEGATIVE things to occur: 1. Increasing spiritual darkness (Is.60:1-3). Jesus told us that the last days just prior to his coming will be similar to the days of Noah and the … Continue reading How will it all END (Pt.3)?
How will it all END (Pt.2)?
The Bible and the End Times There are a number of books and passages in the Bible that deal specifically with the ‘time of the end’ and the second coming of Jesus. Obviously, the book of Revelation would be the primary source of information concerning the end times. It is a fascinating apocalyptic book with … Continue reading How will it all END (Pt.2)?
How will it all END? (Pt.1)
Today is supposed to be the end of the world (read here) ... but I don't think so. Times like this are a good time to re-post a series of articles on how it will all end ... End Time Fever The first words that Jesus preached were, “Repent for the kingdom of God is … Continue reading How will it all END? (Pt.1)
Which book would you want if you were shipwrecked on an island?
If you were stranded on a remote desert island somewhere and could only have ONE book with you, what would it be? G. K. Chesterton, the famous British writer, was once invited to a meeting of the leading intellectuals in England. They were asked if they were shipwrecked on an island, what would be the … Continue reading Which book would you want if you were shipwrecked on an island?
God’s Longing …
Here are some interesting thoughts from Psalm 81:10-16 (NLT). "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things. But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas. Oh, that my people would listen to … Continue reading God’s Longing …
Leading Servants
Here is a well-known teaching from Jesus ... Then (the disciples) began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who … Continue reading Leading Servants
C.S. Lewis – Objection #11: Christ
Finally, C.S. Lewis had to come to grips with answering the common question: "Isn't Jesus just another good, moral teacher?" Since there is little likelihood that Jesus' claim to deity is legend or myth, we should expect to find something in his words and actions that suggest he thought of himself as divine. Jesus' self-perception … Continue reading C.S. Lewis – Objection #11: Christ
C.S. Lewis – Objection #10: Other Religions
C.S. Lewis also grappled with the validity of other religions - There are so many religions, how can you say which one is right? Are all religions really the same, or is there a difference? How can we say which one, if any, is the right one? Lewis felt it was atheism that wrote off all … Continue reading C.S. Lewis – Objection #10: Other Religions
The Death of Osama bin Laden
The biggest breaking news of this week has been the killing of Osama bin Laden, the self-confessed orchestrator of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the USA. The execution was carried out by a US Navy SEAL team and watched by a American national security team, including President Obama, via video.This has been the culmination of … Continue reading The Death of Osama bin Laden