Article Library

In Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, Solomon, the wise, passes along to us a list of various types of “appointed times” on earth. Among them he mentions a time to heal...a time to shun embracing...a time to give up as lost...a time to be silent.

Most folks read through the Bible and casually notice birds, plants, trees, and wind. But not you! Aim higher than that.

We need each other. You need someone and someone needs you. Isolated islands we’re not. To make this thing called life work, we gotta lean and support.

Writing down the outline and a few thoughts during the sermon also keeps the mind from drifting off course.

What can be done by the listener to keep the sermon interesting? Instead of thinking about how the preacher could improve, let’s turn to the flip side and consider how we could improve our listening skills.

Being alert and discerning, basing one’s opinion on the absolute truth, is a sign of maturity, a mark of excellence in a life. But pasting labels on people and churches and schools with only partial facts, feelings, and opinions to back those statements up is worse than unfair...it’s un-Christian.

Ignorance is not bliss. On the contrary, it is the breeding ground for fear, prejudice, and superstition, to name just a few. Knowledge is critical.

Slice it any way you wish, ignorance is not bliss. Dress it in whatever garb you please, ignorance is not attractive. Neither is it the mark of humility nor the path to spirituality. It certainly is not the companion of wisdom.

Read 1 Peter 4:8

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

We’ve been talking about the tragedy of insensitivity in relationships. Parental sensitivity rates desperately low these days. It’s part of the fall-out of our rapid pace. Solomon tells us that our children “make themselves known” by their deeds, their actions. He then reminds us that we have ears and eyes that ought to hear and see (Proverbs 20:11–12). But again, it takes time to do that. And again, we’re “too busy.”

Read Galatians 6:2, 10

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

My kids pulled a fast one on me one Christmas years ago. They teamed up, pooled their vast financial resources, and bought me a little motto to set on my desk. It was more than cute...it was convicting. In bold, black letters it read:

DIETS ARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE THICK AND TIRED OF IT

At first you thmile...then it makes you thad. Especially if you’re not thick of being thick!