Category: Character
-
Bravery
Bravery’s hard. Bravery requires risk and vulnerability. Bravery requires facing the likelihood of danger. Bravery requires stepping out of the shadows, and into the light. Bravery requires facing the possibility of failure and defeat. Bravery requires the courage to be real, to be exposed.
-
Pulling Weeds
Weeds are pretty good metaphor for my life. When I’m not paying attention, weeds can unexpectedly pop up, crowding into my life, sapping energy and vitality. Sometimes weeds are bad habits. Sometimes weeds are unhealthy emotions. Sometimes weeds are negative, self-defeating thoughts. Sometimes weeds are painful memories. Sometimes weeds are…
-
Heroes
As I reflect on my heroes, I see themes emerge: leadership, humility, dissatisfaction with the status quo, authenticity, fearlessness in the face of opposition, service and sacrifice, courage, commitment to change, depth of character, belief that a better world is possible, perseverance, overcoming hardship and resistance, and a deep passion…
-
God meant things to be so much easier…
Is it possible that we’ve created a way of living that’s unhealthy, unsustainable, and undermining the kind of life we actually long for? Is it possible that our values and lifestyles – the values and lifestyles of normal, church-going, law-abiding citizens – are actually completely out-of-whack? Is it possible that…
-
More Than Objects
Anyone whose lived in Florida for long, and traveled on I-75, will recognize the billboard pictured above. Though the signs have been changed, the billboards, like the one above, adorned the Interstate for years and years. I’ve passed those billboards countless times. I assume the photos imply beautiful women can…
-
Bless – The Third Sermon in a Series Called “The 2017 Summer Stretch,” Preached at First Church Coral Springs on July 9, 2017
I’m friends with a Nazarene pastor named Jay. We worked on our doctoral degrees together. On the whole, Nazarenes tend to be pretty conservative about lots of things – especially their behavior. Historically, they don’t go to movies, don’t drink, don’t dance, don’t wear jewelry, don’t gamble, etc., etc. …
-
Civility
I believe in the power of words. Words can build up. Words can tear down. Words can encourage. Words can wound. Words can bless. Words can curse. Very few words are powerless and without consequence. I believe, deeply, in the power of words. “Those who guard their lips preserve their…
-
Character Development vs. Sin Management
Last night was my weekly Bible Study. Our focus was chapters 46 and 47 of Genesis, and specifically on Joseph. Joseph is often considered an example of great character and integrity, standing strong in the face of betrayal, temptation, false accusation, and hopeless circumstances. And, yet, by chapter 47, Joseph seems…
-
Pre-Easter Pondering
I know it’s not Easter yet. Easter is still a few days away. Before Easter, we still have Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and Holy Saturday. We can’t just skip to Easter, bypassing all that led to Easter. But, Easter is on my mind – probably because it’s the biggest…
-
I was wrong…
I’ve been wrong. I’ve been wrong a lot. My parents, my wife, my friends, my coworkers and my children can all confirm that I’ve been wrong. I’ve made wrong decisions and wrong choices. I’ve been on the wrong side of arguments. I’ve been wrong about people – sometimes trusting people I…
vancerains.com 