On My Mind

When Roman historian Publius Cornelius Tacitus started recording the history of the first century AD, he wrote, “I am entering upon the history of a period rich in disaster, gloomy with wars, rent with seditions.” He went on to write of the devastation of the era: war, murder, adultery, hate, terror, betrayal. Concerning politicians, he […]

It has always been “Open Season” on the church—and there are a lot of sharpshooters nested in the hunting blinds. That’s to be expected from those on the outside, but it’s disappointing when shots are fired by those on the inside. I recently read an article by a preacher who went off on his boyhood […]

“We become what we think about. A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.” —Marcus Aurelius “You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” —James Allen “Thought is the parent of the deed.” —Thomas Carlyle __________________ The above quotes echo Solomon’s words: “Above […]

Resolution [rěz ǝ-looʹ shǝn] 1. a decision or determination; a resolve; 2. firmness of purpose; the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute. Irresolution [ǐ- rěz ǝ-looʹ shǝn] 1. lack of resolution; lack of decision or purpose; vacillation. The life of each of us is defined by one of those words. A major […]

Wait! Now there’s a word that makes you want to scream. You’re busy from dawn ’til dark. Places to be. Things to do. Not enough hours in the day. There’s no room for “Wait” on your to-do list. What’s the longest you’ve ever had to wait for something? I’m guessing it was waiting for an […]

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Do you believe that? I don’t recall having ever heard a Christian flat-out say, “No, I don’t believe that!” But I’ve heard quite a few give an affirmative answer, […]

Proverbs 4:23 Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Today won’t leave you as it found you. It will leave you better or worse—more congenial or more cantankerous, more caring or more insensitive, more judgmental or more tolerant. It will leave you with faith, hope, and love enlarged or diminished. […]

If you belong to a generation predating Gen X, Audrey Hepburn (1929–1993) swept you off your feet in Roman Holiday, Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, or My Fair Lady. You know Audrey. What you may not know is the backstory that seems the polar opposite of her on-screen charm. That story was what prompted her […]

Jackie Robinson is celebrated as the first African-American to play major league baseball, breaking the color barrier and changing professional sports forever. (Note: Actually, Jackie wasn’t the first black ballplayer in the major leagues. That honor belongs to Moses “Fleet” Walker, way back in 1883. But that’s a history lesson for another time.) Robinson is […]

A group of grieving women who watched Jesus die on Friday trudged to the tomb to anoint his body on Sunday. But the tomb was empty. “He is not here,” an angel told them; “he has risen!” Risen? Who could believe such a thing? His disciples should have. He had told them more than once […]