Wisdom In All Things

The beauty, significance, and transformative power of heaven

"Heaven is not a distant place, but a perfected state of being where we will enjoy unbroken communion with God and one another." — Tim Keller

Thinking rightly about heaven is both significant and transformative as it will shape our thoughts, actions, and deepest longings.

Embracing an anticipatory mindset about heaven moves us away from it being a theoretical concept to a transformative way of living. Here are ways "heaven then" can transform our lives "here and now."

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”Don’t worry, Be...” at peace

"In every life we have some trouble, but when you worry you make it double... don't worry, be happy..." - Bobby McFerrin

He has provided us a catchy way to remember two very important truths about worry: by worrying, we do make things doubly worse, and, that we do have a choice.

If you're looking to be happy, you're aiming way too low.

Instead, why settle for "being happy" when you can be at peace?

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Spiritual gifts: unleashing the power within

"When we use our spiritual gifts, we are joining in God's mission to reconcile the world to Himself. It is an act of obedience and surrender, allowing God to work through us to bring about His purposes and transformation in the lives of others." - D.A. Carson

The idea of “to whom much is given, much will be required” is that we should, and will be, held responsible for what we have been given. It is reasonable to expect that we glorify God and benefit others having been blessed with our time, talents, and treasures.

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How to handle anger with wisdom and grace

I think we all would agree that when expressing our anger, it is better that we stop short of turning green and smashing everything. Even if we have the power to do it.

But you might say, "There are times when we need to smash things into oblivion... like, evil."

However, it seems pretty clear that God is the only one that gets to turn green and smash things (so to speak):

"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Romans 12:19

For this simple reason: if it needs doing, God knows why, when, and how to do it.

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Creating a meaty, meaningful morning

I want to make sure you are properly warned against enduring the consequences of a lop-sided morning. Because a lop-sided morning leads to a lop-sided day.

By lop-sided, I mean focusing only on one area of your life to the exclusion of others. My sense is that there is a tendency to elevate exercise over the time you need to spend thinking, or more importantly, feeding your soul. Mornings should be an "all of the above" proposition so that you benefit from nurturing your mind, body, and soul.

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Better is open rebuke

There's no denying that "A Few Good Men" is a classic.

In this movie, you have a young military lawyer, Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, played by Tom Cruise, assigned to defend two marines accused of murdering a fellow soldier. 

With Colonel Nathan Jessup on the stand, Kaffee confronts the commanding officer of the Marines by accusing him of ordering a "code red" (an unauthorized disciplinary action) that led to the soldier's death. Jessup initially denies any involvement, but Kaffee continues to press him, demanding the truth.

Ultimately, Kaffee's rebuke leads Jessup to admit to the truth. He sought justice and open rebuke led him there.

Which, is the goal by the way. Rebuke is the means, not the end.

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The Essentials for Becoming Wise

“We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.” – George Bernard Shaw

Shaw's comment on wisdom is important because it rightly integrates the past and the future. In fact, it can't truly be wisdom unless we apply to the future what we have learned by experience to be true. For as it has been said, if we don't learn from history we are doomed to repeat it. 

Having gathered a consensus from professors who have taught at seminaries like Trinity, Dallas, and Moody Bible Institute, we'll see that the path to wisdom involves the essential aspects of studying Scripture, prayer and meditation, seeking wise counsel, character development, community, and practical application.

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No More Mister Nice Guy: Be Kind, Not Nice

Kindness penetrates.

Similar to the way water can find its way into the most hidden, protected places. However, when it comes to kindness, it is not so much that it breaches as it is being absorbed.

Kindness is wanted. Needed. Life-giving.

Nice on the other hand, is temporary and superficial.

Nice is the sizzle. Kindness is the steak.

The Bible doesn’t teach, call, or direct us to be nice. We’re to love one another, be kind to one another–treat others as we would like to be treated.

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Escaping reality is an impossible reality

“People have learned to escape Reality very well but too often lose their way back.” — Eugene J. Martin, visual artist

Harry Houdini's escapes were just an illusion, much like our attempt to try and escape reality.

Fortunately for us, as Jon Bloom reminds us, “Jesus has come to set us free from fantasy’s impoverishing enchantment.” Rather than look for the ‘escape button’, we can respond properly when we’re tempted by the lure of the illusion of escaping by remaining grounded in reality.

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It is well with my soul: can you say that?

No doubt you are familiar with the hymn. Sung the world over, it has ministered to millions. And probably why it resonates so deeply, is that for Horatio Spafford, the author, these lyrics are autobiographical.

Despite the years of tragedy he and his wife had endured, these lyrics are a testament to his faith and trust in God. It is this idea that even in the midst of great loss and sorrow, we can find peace and comfort knowing that God is sovereign and that He cares deeply for His children.

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