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Wisdom In All ThingsLet all that you do be done in loveThis is part 5 in our 5-part Wisdom In All Things Special Series, unpacking the implications of these two short verses from Paul, as they highlight 5 essential factors for living a life of purpose, wisdom, and impact.
“All the watching, all the standing fast, all the bravery, and all the strength the Corinthian Christians might show meant nothing without love. They were called to do all those things in a meek, humble spirit of love.” – David Guzik
Letting all that we do be done in love requires a daily commitment to live out the principles of love as...
2025-11-1115 minWisdom In All ThingsBe StrongYou could say that the phrase ‘be strong’ follows ‘act like men’ as a definition and prescription.
Let’s have Alexander MacLaren take us back into the mindset of the battle as he elaborates on this connection between the two phrases:
“Play a man’s part in the battle; strike with all the force of your muscles. But the Apostle adds, ‘be strong.’ You cannot play a man’s part unless you are. ‘Be strong’—the original would rather bear ‘become strong.’ What is the use of telling men to ‘be strong’? It is a waste of words, in nine cases out...
2025-09-1122 minWisdom In All ThingsAct Like MenGiven the current cultural climate on the subject, some might think it pretty controversial to suggest that we ‘act like men’. After all, if you were to listen to the critics, “Could there be anything good that would come from it?”
I can understand the sentiment. But not the reaction.
I think it was John Stonestreet who I heard say recently, “The response to bad authority is not, ‘no authority’, it’s good authority.” The context had to do with governmental authority, but it seems like it would apply nicely here as well.
While we may have...
2025-05-2612 minWisdom In All ThingsStand Firm in the Faith
In the sixteenth chapter of Corinthians, you'll find these two verses, tucked in there, seemingly as a random stream of consciousness, part of Paul's closing in his first letter to this church in Corinth: "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
Standing firm means maintaining allegiance to biblical principles regardless of ridicule, and contending for Scripture not by being dogmatic but by graciously appealing to the doubter’s conscience. As some have said, "God’s truth can take their hits...
2025-04-1015 minWisdom In All ThingsBe Watchful
In the sixteenth chapter of Corinthians, you'll find these two verses, tucked in there, seemingly as a random stream of consciousness, part of Paul's closing in his first letter to this church in Corinth: "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
Paul doesn't directly identify anything in particular that we are to watch out for, but that we should be in a state of watching. We are to be actively, and continually, watchful.
A person who is e...
2024-02-1719 minWisdom In All ThingsLiving Purposefully“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
I use this quote from Emerson in jest.
It seems to me that this is the prevailing thought about what we are to do with our lives: the reason we are here is to go our own way; to leave our mark.
But is that truly why we are here?
Dallas Willard says “The purpose of human life is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."
Here are some...
2024-02-0308 minWisdom In All ThingsConfronting sin: embrace the battle, be victorious, and live a life pleasing to GodKing David speaking: "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me." - Psalm 51:3
We've talked in the past about living an examined life. Doing so can be a little unnerving. When we do that, it is (very) likely that we'll find something that we don't want to see, and, as a result, end up shoving whatever we found right back where we found it. However, to consider "not going there" only means that we delay the inevitable.
Here are the practical steps that make up our arsenal in our battle against...
2024-01-2006 minWisdom In All ThingsBeing better about being better“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” – Jimmy Johnson
Malcolm Gladwell is a popular author and speaker who has written about the importance of practice. In his book Outliers, Gladwell argues that the key to success is not talent, but deliberate practice.
Effective practice is the key to long-term skill improvement. These research-backed methods will help you build on the foundation you’ve laid to create the habit of skill development.
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2024-01-0607 minWisdom In All ThingsTrust in the Truth: The Confidence of Conviction"Conviction is the driving force that transforms belief into action. It's the unwavering commitment to truth and principle that enables us to navigate the complexities of life with purpose and integrity. Without conviction, our beliefs remain mere ideas, but with it, they become the catalyst for positive change in our lives and the world around us." - D.A. Carson
Just as Winston Churchill's convictions inspired a nation, the right convictions can guide us toward a life of purpose, resilience, and fulfillment.
Developing a biblical conviction is a profound and spiritually rich part of our...
2023-12-2608 minWisdom In All ThingsTo number our days, focus on what truly matters“It’s bad enough wasting time without killing it.” – Norton Juster, academic, architect, and writer. He was best known as an author of children's books, particularly popular was The Dot and the Line - A Romance in Lower Mathematics
With all that we have to do, it is awfully tempting to do nothing with out discretionary time.
Until you realize the implications.
Idleness and laziness can actually have serious negative consequences on both our personal well-being and the well-being of those around us.
If you'r...
2023-12-0210 minWisdom In All ThingsMastering money before it masters you
“The love of money is the root of all evil.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
Probably a familiar verse, but think about the last 4 words: “root of all evil.”
If we don’t love money, we can avoid a whole lot of bad.
In fact, we could swap out the word ‘money’ for so many things in that verse.
“The love of… the couch, Netflix, Peanut Butter M&Ms….”
But here, God intentionally–and specifically–identifies the love of money as “the” root problem.
I’ve rounded up recommendations on mastering money into a checklist that you ca...
2023-11-1106 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklins 13 Virtues - Humility
“Imitate Jesus and Socrates.” - Benjamin Franklin
Are you as struck by Franklin's recommendation as I am?
Why both?
If you're going to include Jesus on any list, there really isn't any need to include anyone else.
It was curious to me what Franklin might have been thinking that would lead him to include these two people specifically, and only these two people. Perhaps it was this prompting from a personal friend of Franklin's:
"My list of virt...
2023-11-0108 minWisdom In All ThingsThe Pursuit of Holiness: Building Holy Habits
"Holiness is not only separation from evil, but separation unto God." - John Stott
Holiness has long been a central theme in Christianity, and throughout history, various individuals and groups have emphasized its importance.
It is a concept that often evokes various perceptions, from being old-fashioned and rigid to grace-filled and deeply satisfying. Either way, the pursuit of holiness is, at its core, an endeavor to mirror God's character in our lives.
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2023-10-2808 minWisdom In All ThingsPersevere in doing good"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." - John Wesley
In a world often marred by turmoil and adversity, the call to "not grow weary in doing good" holds profound significance, primarily for Christians.
While the call to "not grow weary in doing good" is firmly rooted in Scripture, we need to effectively navigate the challenges and temptations that often...
2023-10-1407 minWisdom In All ThingsThe 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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2023-09-3010 minWisdom In All Things”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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2023-09-0909 minWisdom In All ThingsSpiritual 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.
Re...
2023-08-2808 minWisdom In All ThingsHow to handle anger with wisdom and graceI 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 re...
2023-07-2907 minWisdom In All ThingsCreating a meaty, meaningful morningI 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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2023-07-1512 minWisdom In All ThingsBetter is open rebukeThere'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 t...
2023-06-0308 minWisdom In All ThingsThe 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 tha...
2023-05-2011 minWisdom In All ThingsNo More Mister Nice Guy: Be Kind, Not NiceKindness 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 treate...
2023-04-2909 minWisdom In All ThingsEscaping 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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2023-04-0109 minWisdom In All ThingsIt 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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2023-03-1809 minWisdom In All ThingsA Mind Ready for ActionOnce we get our thoughts right about God, ourselves, and our circumstances, that right thinking leads to right living.
This was something that Peter, in 1 Peter 1:13, was trying to stress by calling a group of Christ followers being persecuted for their faith to do three things: gird their minds, keep sober, and hope–completely–on the grace of God.
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2023-03-0408 minWisdom In All ThingsDoes risk-taking need to be risky?Eleanor Roosevelt said that we should "do one thing every day that scares you."
Sure, I get it. The status quo is not very exciting, and, for different reasons, could possibly even be unhealthy. Life requires (some) risk. After all, "nothing ventured, nothing gained".
Here's something I think we can work with. Risk-taking is a willingness, to take a justifiable risk, given the preferred outcome. There is wisdom in that. But isn't the point of pursuing wisdom to avoid risk?
Avoid risk? No. Take calculated risks? Yes.
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2023-02-1108 minWisdom In All ThingsBe Free Stay Free"We need to orient our lives on the clear statements of Scripture regarding God's will. And here is one: "For freedom Christ has set us free. (from Gal. 5:1)" Christ's will for you is that you enjoy freedom. Where you go to school, what job you do, where you live, etc., are not nearly so crucial as whether you stand fast in freedom." - John Piper
Most crucial, and foundational, is finding freedom in Christ. Piper points us to Galatians 5:1 and the fact that Christ has set us free unlike anyone or anything ever could. We'll look at w...
2022-10-3109 minWisdom In All ThingsAre You Known by Your Love?“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35
Are you loving enough, or in a way, that it is even noticeable? Or, at best, is it at a level and consistency that it is what people think of first when they think of you? Not just your friends and family, but total strangers?
That is what John 13:35 is essentially saying. We will be known–as a disciple of Jesus–by our love.
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2022-09-0410 minWisdom In All ThingsChoosing Faith Over FearWe can't become so 'wise' that we are able to avoid all the scary parts of life. Wisdom is the means by which we navigate what God decides to allow--and intends to use--in our lives for our good and His glory.
That includes fear.
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2022-08-1307 minWisdom In All ThingsKeeping Your Mind on Things AboveHeaven is not just a destination, but a mindset. Of Colossians 3:2 (“set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth”), J. B. Lightfoot, English theologian and Bishop of Durham (1800’s), states that we “must not only seek heaven; [we] must also think heaven.” As we set our minds on ‘things above’ we are able to put ‘things below’ into the right perspective.
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2022-07-2807 minWisdom In All ThingsBecoming a Proverbs 31 ManBecoming a "Proverbs 31 Man" is an intriguing perspective to have on this chapter in Proverbs. You, like me, may have been more familiar with Proverbs 31 largely referring to the characteristics of a godly woman.
In order to be a “Proverbs 31 Man”, we must become a “Proverbs Man”, which is something we all are to be, married or not.
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2022-05-1407 minWisdom In All ThingsPressure, Pressing Down on You"No pressure, no diamonds.” – Thomas Carlyle, Scottish philosopher
Equal to the pressure we face is the strength and wisdom God provides to walk in conjunction with His purpose to yield the intended outcome. While it is unavoidable–and it shouldn’t be avoided entirely, given its potential benefits–we can ‘get a grip’ on how to maintain the ability to remain steadfast under pressure.
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2022-04-0207 minWisdom In All ThingsDiscernment: The Commitment to Choosing WellIt is God’s leading that makes 1 Thess. 5:21-22 (NASB) possible: “examine everything carefully, hold fast to what is good, abstain from every evil.” This “biblical sleuthing” is what John MacArthur points out as the “responsibility of every Christian… discernment is not optional for the believer–it is required.”
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2022-03-0606 minWisdom In All ThingsThe Roaring Lion Hunts the Wounded and the WonderersOur being wounded or wondering should be a hint that we’re running the risk of attracting unwanted attention, which is why Peter urges us to think clearly and remain vigilant. When you take a good look at yourself, are you giving the “roaring lion” any reason to target you? Are you unknowingly or unnecessarily vulnerable?
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2022-02-1906 minWisdom In All ThingsJournaling to Capture Wisdom In All ThingsI mean for us to “noodle” in the best possible way. While enjoying the practical benefits of journaling, we gain all the more by recording this intentional quest for wisdom. To the point John Piper makes about “living for the glory of Christ”, this is a quest worthy of capturing and remembering.
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2022-02-0511 minWisdom In All ThingsHow Easily Are You Deceived?We’re getting it from the inside, from the outside, and when we trace it back to its source, it leads us directly to Satan, The Father of Lies.
Satan is a pro at reflecting the light, deep deception, and manipulation. We need to pay particular attention to this because of the severity of the consequences. Satan’s single aim is to utterly destroy you by any means he is allowed. This makes guarding our hearts, minds, and souls of paramount importance.
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2022-01-2608 minWisdom In All ThingsThe 10 Commandments: How Are Lives Are To Be DistinctJust as the 10 Commandments prescribe for us what we are to avoid, did you know they also point to a “positive side”? They provide for us a framework for living out the character of God, and how are lives are to be distinct.
In front of the commandment is that positive application that we can recite in our quiet times, if not at the start of each day.
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2022-01-1509 minWisdom In All ThingsRest, Not Relief, in GodFinding rest in God can be somewhat deceptive because it can too easily be confused with relief. Relief is beneficial, but it is not rest. The rest that Jesus provides isn’t physical, emotional, or mental relief–but is restorative and rejuvenating and frees us from soul-weariness. He addresses the problem, not the symptoms.
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2021-09-1206 minWisdom In All ThingsTaking the Fatigue Out of Decision MakingWe’ve talked in the past about having a good decision analysis and developing a heuristic to better ensure we make the right decisions. But how can we expect to keep making the right decision when there are so many to make?
Fortunately, we have what is revealed through Scripture to reign in our random and conflicting thoughts and feelings. But our reception of, and response to, God’s leading is going to require a quieted mind and heart.
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2021-08-2806 minWisdom In All ThingsLearning Mission from MissionariesLiving life on mission, does not mean we need to be a missionary. However, we can easily see how our lives might look strikingly similar.
Learning Mission from Missionaries transcript.
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2021-08-1407 minWisdom In All ThingsBeing Choosey About our Choice of Words"The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish, and wicked practice, of profane cursing and swearing is growing into fashion; he hopes the officers will, by example, as well as influence, endeavor to check it, and that both they, and the men will reflect, that we can have little hopes of the blessing of Heaven on our Arms..." - George Washington in a memo to his army
Profanity demonstrates a lack of character and a propensity for the foolish. Both are not only unbecoming behavior for a member of an army that was under the...
2021-08-0705 minWisdom In All ThingsDeveloping, or Regaining, the Trait of TrustGod cannot lie (Titus 2:1), and we are called to reflect that by being “truth-tellers worthy of trust.” From his book The 10 Greatest Struggles of Your Life, Pastor Colin Smith goes on to reveal that this means we are to “deal in truth rather than lies, in precision rather than distortion, and in honesty rather than deception.”
Trust truly defines our relationships, and we earn trust by demonstrating that we are trustworthy.
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2021-08-0105 minWisdom In All ThingsThe Fear of Missing Out On Things We Shouldn’t Fear Missing Out OnHere, I think, is where the pandemic provided a benefit. We were forced to give our full attention to what was most important. There was nothing to fear missing out on. The world had all but stopped.
The pandemic provided some relief from FOMO, if not an opportunity to self-correct, and allowed us to, as they say, not let a ‘perfectly good crisis go to waste’.
But in order to do that, we needed to have given our full attention to those things that are worth finishing.
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2021-07-1006 minWisdom In All ThingsPrioritizing Value When InvestingUsually, it is the inverse of J. R. R. Tolkien’s aphorism from The Fellowship of the Ring that we hear: ‘all that glitters isn’t gold’. However, his quote more aptly points us to what we should keep in mind when investing: "all that is gold does not glitter".
We shouldn’t be fooled by what something costs. We can pay far too much for far too little–career, property, what makes us happy. Yet, there may also be opportunities where we will give everything we have to something whose value is incalculable–children, spouse, God’s kingdom.
2021-05-2205 minWisdom In All ThingsLive the Examined Life Through Healthy Introspection“Without proper self-evaluation, failure is inevitable.” – John Wooden (a warning he made in Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court when our excuses interfere with our ability to evaluate ourselves.)
Wooden echoes the bolder statement made by Socrates that “the unexamined life is not worth living”. Which is to say, that a life worth living is only possible when examined. How could one argue that they are truly living if not for introspection?
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2021-05-1505 minWisdom In All ThingsThe Kind of Request That Pleases GodWhile God is capable of granting our every request, He is especially pleased to grant our request for discernment and understanding. Solomon first worships God before humbly approaching Him to ask not for fame and fortune, but to know right and wrong so that he may lead God’s people, and influence others, honorably.
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2021-05-0807 minWisdom In All ThingsSolomon Makes His Request for WisdomSolomon’s request of God for wisdom teaches us that more important than asking good questions is that we ask the right questions of the right person. Solomon made two very important requests of God and did so after properly positioning his heart to receive God’s response.
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2021-05-0107 minWisdom In All ThingsSolomon’s Missteps as KingSolomon’s first missteps as King are a reminder to us that our obedience cannot be partial. When that is the case, our hearts become divided and our lives a contradiction to what exercising God’s power and wisdom truly looks like.
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2021-04-2407 minWisdom In All ThingsWalk in God’s Ways: David’s Charge to SolomonDavid loved his son Solomon. In wanting the very best for him, he gave his son–and us–the wisest counsel a person could ever give to someone they cared about. To realize the potential of what God has called us to be, we must heed the charge that David gives his son Solomon: walk in God’s ways.
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2021-04-1609 minWisdom In All ThingsThe Rise and Fall of SolomonThe rise and fall of Solomon centers on how a divided heart can destroy a kingdom. It is imperative that we follow God’s ways in order to see God’s desired outcomes.
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2021-04-0509 minWisdom In All ThingsAsk for Wisdom as Solomon Asked for WisdomAsking for wisdom is necessary, but asking the right person is crucial. King Solomon’s demonstrates for us that we should not only be willing, but that we ask for wisdom from the right person.
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2021-03-2706 minWisdom In All ThingsA Little Bit Clark Kent, A Little Bit James BondI think it goes without saying—the world we live in is increasingly wolf-infested, and growing more so by the week. While we have our challenges and opposition to face, one could argue that the disciples had it even worse. Setting aside their obvious lack of creature comforts and technological advances, they were surrounded by a hostile culture and government—I have yet to hear of anyone in these times threatened with being thrown to the lions.
Regardless, we too are being sent out into this world, such as it is. A world that is too easily infl...
2021-03-2005 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - ChastityMarriage was designed as the sole place for the purpose of venery to be satisfied. At least what Franklin points out—personal health and the wellbeing of a family—are realized when the expression of our sexual desires remains within the context of marriage.
If not for chastity, our unbridled expression leads to depletion. We’ll have less excitement, strength, peace, reputation, and most discouragingly, less to offer our spouse in marriage.
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2021-02-2107 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - CleanlinessClean, like, really clean—the way mom would clean something—is clean in back, and underneath, not just where someone might see. To do that, you need to pick up whatever you’re cleaning and inspect it. Cleanliness is being thoughtful, meticulous–and thorough. A quick dusting just doesn’t cut it.
While most of the virtues are applicable across our lives, I find that this one, in particular, is made for “wisdom in all things”. It necessarily applies to our minds, bodies, and souls. But more than a virtue, it might be better called a principal or discipline...
2021-02-1205 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - TranquilityFranklin’s admonition is to “keep calm and carry on”. We can’t allow trifles and those events and circumstances that are common and unavoidable to trip us up or pull us away from what is actually important. The inability to find tranquility can develop into a perpetual state of being perturbed.
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2021-02-1208 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - ModerationBoth Merriam-Webster and Franklin are in direct opposition to the mindset, and behavior, of exactly where our culture has been tracking for some time. Now, moderation is what you avoid, while extremes are what you embrace, pursue, live for—as if to argue that moderation is an extreme to be avoided.
More to the point is that moderation is to be applied broadly. That is, we are to moderate the expression of our opinions, just as we moderate the consumption of ice cream.
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2021-01-3009 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - JusticeUnfortunately, we don’t hear much of duty these days. I feel that the idea of duty has been absorbed and used as a form of narcissism. That is, we have a duty unto ourselves to ensure that we get justice.
However, Benjamin rightly prescribed justice as being toward others. The responsibility we have to be “morally right and fair” is outward-facing. What he doesn’t state, but I believe he would agree with, is that our duty to others may mean a sacrifice on our part.
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2021-01-2406 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - SincerityWe do have the option of not speaking. Fewer words are normally more prudent. And, our being “slow to speak” (James 1:19), gives speaking and acting with sincerity its truest aim.
Franklin’s first four words ("Use no hurtful deceit") really describe a principle. The foundation on which we should first, govern what we think, and then, guide what may follow from those thoughts.
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2021-01-1604 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - IndustryFirst, consider that there must be no room for waste in being industrious. No minute is left unscrutinized or unaccounted for. If you’re going to spend any time, spend it constructively. Time is not lost or wasted, as long as we’re moving forward on what is worthwhile.
Industry requires that we be vigilant as with a machete, whacking away at anything that resembles the unnecessary.
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2021-01-1011 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - FrugalityThere really are two aspects to enabling growth. Stop doing what you shouldn’t, and start doing what you should. It would be counterproductive to only do one or the other. Pursuing frugality should lead us to “backfill the hole”, but also produce a level of wealth and autonomy that puts us in the driver’s seat.
Being free and clear puts us in a better position to say 'yes' when presented with the right opportunity. Having a choice is freeing!
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2020-12-0506 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - ResolutionTo not have the right understanding of what “ought” to be, you, well, end up with what Nike declared in 1978: Just Do It. What’s it? Anything you want it to be.
Essentially, Benjamin is saying: get ‘it’ right–with conviction. Acknowledgment, or intellectual assent, is not the same as having a resolve. Like a soldier under command, our conviction should lead to the commitment of carrying out the right course of action.
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2020-11-2905 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklin’s 13 virtues - OrderBenjamin hoped having order “would allow [him] more time for attending to [his] project and [his] studies.” To ensure that order would allow him the space to tackle more pressing and valuable concerns.
I was immediately taken by the fact that he had an excellent morning routine, not to mention that he allowed 3 hours for it! He started his day with the proper order of things.
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2020-11-2205 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - SilenceIt should be clear that Franklin is not intending that we become a quiet person, as there are certainly times to speak up.
It is speaking with a purpose that distinguishes this virtue and avoiding those situations when you would be drawn into inane, unimportant, or trivial discussions. This way, you benefit from your listening, and others benefit from your speaking.
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2020-11-1505 minWisdom In All ThingsBenjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues - TemperanceBenjamin Franklin believed that temperance “tends to procure that coolness and clearness of head which is so necessary where constant vigilance was to be kept up, and guard maintained against the unremitting attraction of ancient habits and the force of perpetual temptations.”
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2020-11-0807 minWisdom In All ThingsConforming BadlyWhat was once the norm, is now rapidly becoming the exception. And those who are “conforming badly” are no longer just insisting you join them, but are forcing compliance.
To resist isn’t futile. For to remain steadfast, is to save. Consider the lemming that stops, turns around, and starts yelling, “go back the other way!”
It would seem that not conforming may very well be salvific.
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2020-11-0106 minWisdom In All ThingsI Doubt ItRegardless of its depth, persistent doubt is certainly devastating, as even infrequent, ill-timed bouts can needlessly delay, derail, or even slowly destroy us.
The idea that we should ask for help with our unbelief is just one crucial element in properly addressing doubt.
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2020-10-2508 minWisdom In All ThingsBeing Still: Doing Nothing Misses Something"Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)." Doing nothing leads to nothing. Being still leads to knowing. This is the crucial difference between doing nothing and being still. Doing nothing misses the “something”. Consider this: be still, or, you won’t know that He is God. This would be a devastating “miss”. Without being still there would be significant “misses” all throughout our lives.
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2020-10-1906 minWisdom In All ThingsFrom Pursuit to Promise: How Our Promotion of Happiness Has Destroyed Our Reason for LivingIf happiness shouldn’t even be a goal, then it should certainly never be a purpose: “I exist to be happy.” It’s a little easier to see how ridiculous that sounds when you put it like that. But unfortunately, in big and small ways, that is have become our belief.
Maybe this is the sign you are looking for. The sign that you need to ask yourself, perhaps again, for the first time: Why am I here? And what should I be pursuing?
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2020-10-1106 minWisdom In All ThingsExpertise: A Matter of the HeartFrom the perspective of being as valuable as an expert, David W. Maister (and others) developed a “trust equation” which looks like this:
Trustworthiness = credibility + reliability + intimacy / self-orientation.
Essentially, credibility and reliability are being commoditized, leaving intimacy (emotions) and self-orientation (motives) as the means of remaining valuable and influential–and employed. In other words, expertise is a matter of the heart.
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2020-10-0307 minWisdom In All ThingsLet’s Talk About SinIn his article, 5 Wrong Ways to Talk About Sin, Derek Rishmawy describes one of the ways we avoid using this “S” word. He calls it “The Youth Group” way, which, “treats [sin] more like chewing your nails…” And then nails the reason why we need to–because it is “a serious, soul-destroying plague with real-world (in this and the next) repercussions.”
That is precisely why we need to use it more often. We need to know where that line is, when we’re about to cross it, and what happens when we do– because of the implications for everyone!
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2020-09-2607 minWisdom In All ThingsThe Battlefield of the MindNot to go all ‘Matrix’ on you, but there are both “seen and unseen” forces on our lives. This fact is quite clear from verses like Ephesians 6:12. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
We face relentless attacks that require a mental rigor that successfully defends against enemies in the physical and spiritual realms.
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2020-09-1906 minWisdom In All ThingsHack Your Way to a Better Life?You’ll also want to put in view only that which should be focused on. Everything outside the frame is not an option.
If there is any hacking to be done, it may be that you hack away those feelings and distractions that are keeping you from doing.
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2020-09-1306 minWisdom In All ThingsHow Should We Understand: Making an ImpactDoes a drip worry about the size ripple it will make? I’m pretty sure that “making an impact” doesn’t even cross its little mind. It’s something that happens naturally. What matters most is that it dripped. And if it desires to continue to have a rippling effect, it just needs to keep dripping.
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2020-09-0505 minWisdom In All ThingsWrestle God? How Bad Do You Want It?Nothing like a good tussle. And in this case, Jacob was past liking the idea and truly wanted God to respond. So much so, that even though God physically weakened him (dislocated hip), he remained physically, and spiritually, persistent–until he received what he wanted.
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2020-08-3003 minWisdom In All ThingsCareful, You Just Might be Laboring in VainLaboring in vain is not limited to our trying to fix something that is broken, it also applies to our reaching forward to create and do good. We can just as easily look to ourselves to fix problems, as we can to know and do what is right.
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2020-08-1604 minWisdom In All ThingsBetter Instincts from Better Decision MakingI like to think of instinct as being a balance of the art and science of decision making. The art comes with experience, and the science begins with the right decision making process and can be refined to allow you to make the best decision possible, in the least amount of time.
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2020-08-0805 minWisdom In All ThingsIt is a Wise Request to Request WisdomThere is something to be said for focusing on what’s most important and what will have the greatest impact. In that sense, you’re wise to make the most of it. Are you? When you consider that we have an audience with the One who controls all, created all, knows all, can grant all, shouldn’t we be sure to make it count? A safe bet is a request for wisdom.
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2020-08-0806 minWisdom In All ThingsStart the New Year on the Watch ListIntended to help the United States track terrorists and prevent any further terror attacks, the watch list can be a very helpful list.
For someone on this list, every movement, conversation, and action is tracked, evaluated, and logged. That level of scrutiny reveals an important lesson: something so dangerous needs to be monitored thoroughly and consistently.
However, there is a watch list that you want to find yourself on–and never be removed.
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2020-08-0107 minWisdom In All ThingsDoing Less, Slowing Down, Makes for the Happiest New YearA balanced approach to productivity could be in our being better about keeping focused on, and accomplishing, only what we need to--do well in doing only what you should be doing.
So, as you think about your New Year's “wish list”, maybe hearing this side of productivity will come as a relief.
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2020-07-2005 minWisdom In All ThingsWhat to do When God Makes You WaitWhen God makes us wait, we too must lock on to what matters most, while ignoring our nagging questions and lingering doubt, which multiplies the longer we need to wait, and is further compounded when an answer is most urgently needed. But we’ll also see that it is neither a solitary or sedentary endeavor.
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2020-06-2207 minWisdom In All ThingsThe Bucket List is a Cover up - Part 2It was Blaise Pascal that pointed to the “infinite abyss” in our souls and stated it could only be filled by God himself. If he is right, then we could never put together a bucket list that would soothe this deep soul ache. Indeed, it is only the abundant life that God provides that would truly satisfy.
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2020-06-2208 minWisdom In All ThingsThe Bucket List is a Cover Up - Part 1There simply isn’t a bucket list that could account for the plentiful quantity and quality of life that Jesus provides. When He provides life, is it life that is “all-around, “more than”, beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectation, going past the expected limit.” – Strong’s Concordance definition of “abundant”
What would it look like to kick the bucket [list] for the abundant life?
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2020-06-1310 minWisdom In All ThingsJudge Not? You be the Judge of That“Judge not.” It’s so useful. A ready-made defense for any occasion. This may very well be the reason why many believe the “judge not” verse to be one of the most widely misinterpreted verses. How convenient to be able to throw a “judge not” at the end of your judgment.
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2020-06-1306 minWisdom In All ThingsFinding the Inspiration to Make Prayer a PriorityI like this definition of priority: “the right to take precedence…”
Prayer certainly has that right. Because of its value and benefit, it is set apart, above and before all things.
Putting prayer in its proper place gives light to our path, and the ability to navigate its twists and turns. Now, to put it in its proper place.
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2020-05-1807 minWisdom In All ThingsDeveloping Poise - Keeping Your Cool When Things Get HotThere is a right time to wait. There is a right time to act. This sensibility is an underlying trait of wisdom. You certainly need to know what to do, but it requires that it be coupled with when it should be done.
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2020-05-1808 minWisdom In All ThingsHow to Really Leverage the 5 Hour RuleThis ‘5 Hour Rule’ could be considered a reductionist view of the more profound concept put forth by Cal Newport and detailed in his book “Deep Work.” For me, it was a fascinating look into the subject of mastery. Newport explains how “it enables you to quickly (and deliberately) learn complicated new skills and produce high-value output at a high rate.”
Here's how to set aside an hour a day on what is most worthy of your time.
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2020-03-0908 minWisdom In All ThingsThe Ultimate Dare: Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” Not half, or most, but ALL your heart.
Trust–complete trust–is a thing to behold.
Our minds tell us we shouldn’t have an issue with this, but our hearts drag their little feet.
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2020-03-0905 minWisdom In All ThingsBoldness is a Pretty Peculiar ThingBreaking through with the truth looks a lot like that scene in the movie where the main character is running toward the monster, while the whole of humanity is running the opposite direction in an attempt to escape. Understood this way, ‘interesting’ probably won’t cut it. Delivering the truth in a timely, compelling way in the face of opposition will be perceived as very peculiar.
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2020-03-0904 minWisdom In All ThingsRelieving Head Knowledge Before Your Head PopsKnowledge puffs up, if there is no place for it to go. If we’re not doing anything with it, the heart grows weak, and the body… withers. In other words, head knowledge should lead to action.
James makes a pretty clear, bold statement about keeping it all in our heads: “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” – James 1:22 (emphasis mine; in this case, I appreciate the way the NLT renders this verse)
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2020-03-0906 minWisdom In All ThingsWhat Does Spiritual Growth Look Like?With self-improvement getting such attention this time of year, it might be too easy to hear ‘spiritual growth’ and think ‘self-improvement’. Our ‘being better’ is not spiritual growth. And, it probably doesn’t mean ‘doing more.’
The risk here is to get formulaic or throw a checklist or two together, but spiritual growth is first, and perhaps primarily, a question for the heart.
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2019-11-2605 minWisdom In All ThingsHow About Setting a New Year’s Vision?"Goal setting has been such an important concept in the vernacular of success that some have come to view it as sacred.” – Mark Sanborn
Thoughtful questions have been raised about goal setting that might not only temper our rush to bang out a list in time for the New Year but help us see beyond “the list” to the better pursuit of setting a vision for the New Year.
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2019-11-2606 minWisdom In All ThingsIn Defense of Coffee’s GoodnessWhile most of us probably don’t wake up each morning looking for preventive cancer options, this bit of news should have us smiling all the way to the coffee machine: coffee helps protect against several cancers, reduces inflammation, increases mortality, and even helps mitigate sun damage. We should also mind the downsides, but all-in-all, be sure to celebrate its goodness.
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2019-11-2605 minWisdom In All ThingsTrump or Hilary or Does it Matter?Certainly, the presidency, not to mention our form of government, matters. As does exercising, with sincerity and understanding, our right to vote... when it comes to how we should live, does it really matter who is president, or for that matter, that we even have one?
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2019-11-2604 minWisdom In All ThingsTrue Grit - Wisdom is Tough Business - Part 2Passionate perseverance. It is grit distilled down to it’s simplest form. Which is the focus of Part 2. Passionately persevere (read: Be strong and courageous – Joshua 1:9) in doing those things that truly matter. The life of wise is lived out in this way. What defines us is not just what we do, but how we do it.
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2019-10-2605 minWisdom In All ThingsSo Many Things, So Little Memory: Remember More, FasterSo, it looks like I have two options: stop reading, or, find a way to improve my working memory. If you opt for the former, well, I guess you can go do something else. But, if you’re facing facts, then we’ll move on to what we can do about remembering more, more quickly.
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2019-10-2607 minWisdom In All ThingsSlowing Down - The Hurried Life is No Way to LiveLife has become a flywheel. In all our efforts to be efficient and to do more, we’ve got that sucker spinning pretty good. As Powell states above, busyness flows from our hearts. So, we need to ask, Who or what would lead us to such hurriedness?
There are those things that we have been called to do–and everything else. The “everything else” is optional. That allows us to thrive as we slow down.
We are simply too hurried. Jesus wasn’t. We don’t have to be.
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2019-10-2609 minWisdom In All ThingsTrue Grit - Wisdom is Tough Business - Part 1Angela Lee Duckworth discovered that the majority of successful people all shared one critical characteristic: grit.
“Grit is… the passion, perseverance, and stamina that we must channel in order to stick with our dreams until they become a reality.” – Travis Bradberry
I think it fair to consider using a ‘grit meter’ to help us look inward and appropriately evaluate neglected or underdeveloped areas or characteristics in our lives.
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2019-09-0910 minWisdom In All ThingsWhy You Should Read the Entire Bible Once a YearI will admit, things move a little slow in Deuteronomy and Leviticus. But hey, those were slower times. The thing is, God doesn’t do ‘unnecessary.’ Those books, along with the others, are meant as a whole, for our understanding of what He has chosen to reveal about Himself specifically. And if we’re to handle life properly, we’ll need to understand what God says about how we should go about doing that.
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2019-09-0903 minWisdom In All ThingsYou Need to Become a Morning PersonThough I love being a morning person, there was a time when I didn’t have any choice. Working the morning show in radio requires, well, that you’re there in the morning–early in the morning. Every. Single. Day.
But now that I have the choice, it has become the best time of my day. You might be saying, “Scott, it’ll never happen… Even if I wanted to. Then I would ask that you do two things: give some thought to this post, but at least consider getting up just a little earlier to “taste and see” the bene...
2019-09-0906 minWisdom In All ThingsCreativity: One of Wisdom’s Most Compelling ActsThere is something inherently powerful about taking what you know and your unique experience, and doing some amazing things with it.
However, it is not for the effect of being amazing, but the need for the right action to be taken in even the most desperate situations. It is a purposeful, beneficial response in the moment where we apply our knowledge precisely when needed–many times requiring a creative solution.
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2019-05-2708 min