In Chapter 3 of Let It Go, T.D. Jakes describes 4 steps essential to developing an attitude of forgiveness: 1. Develope self-awareness regarding how you monitor and manage your reactionary thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. While we can’t control the offenses that come our way, we can control our responses. 2. Don’t allow your emotions to […]
There was a popular cigarette ad in the 1960’s that featured smokers with a black eye asserting that they’d rather fight for the right to smoke that brand of cigarettes rather than switch to a competitor. In other words, they’d rather be right, even if it hurt! That type of scenario also can play out […]
In Chapter 2 of Let It Go, Bishop T. D. Jakes shares his realization, gained through a painful personal experience, that “sometimes the greatest opportunities are hidden in the deepest moments of offense. If you aren’t strong enough to check your emotions, you can miss a great opportunity. . . .” For years after my […]
T. D. Jakes (Let It Go) observes that we all have aspirations, hopes, and expectations, regardless of the stage of life we find ourselves. However, we need to take time to consider what we’ve learned throughout the course of our lives and analyze whether our ‘education’ is working for us or not. If we don’t, […]
T.D. Jakes (Let It Go) previously had stated that unforgiveness leaves people stuck in the prison of their past. He adds that the other danger of unforgiveness is that we become infected by it and have the potential to pass it on to others. The good news, Bishop Jakes tells us, is that just as God […]
Bishop T. D. Jakes (Let It Go) posits that forgiveness is a big idea, as opposed to the destructive, small ideas of revenge and anger. We need to think big thoughts in order to effectively introduce and practice forgiveness so that we can begin to heal. While we have experienced justifiable emotions such as hatred […]
In his Introduction to Let It Go, Bishop T. D. Jakes points out that the key to successfully navigating our transitional, desert times is to be intentional. He asserts: “Success is always intentional. No one walks across the stage to accept a college degree by accident. No one crosses the finish line in a marathon […]
Max Lucado (A Gentle Thunder) has lots of hummingbirds around his house. One day a hummingbird flew into his garage through an open door. However, this bird insisted on trying to exit via a closed window. Eventually the bird was trapped between two window panes. Max reached in, grabbed a few feathers, and jerked the […]
When you reflect on your ministry downsizing or position loss, do you perceive yourself as an innocent victim of unchristian actions or behaviors? Ann Spangler ( The Peace God Promises ) points out that even for people who find no fault in their own hearts, it’s not healthy to take on the role of victim […]
Max Lucado ( A Gentle Thunder ) states that we all have our own preconceptions about God. However, Max adds, God has been known to surprise us. Here are some excerpts from Max’x list of surprises: “We expect God to speak through peace, but sometimes he speaks through pain.” “We think God talks through the […]
John the Baptist, Max Lucado ( A Gentle Thunder ) notes, was a public relations disaster. Mark 1:6 tells us that John “wore clothes made from camel’s hair, had a leather belt around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey.” Yet many people were drawn to John’s message, confessed their sins, and were baptized in […]
Yesterday my wife Vicki and I were in Knox, Indiana to attend a graveside memorial service for our dear friend Rudy. Rudy and Vicki met when they were paired in a pie-eating contest at the beginning of their freshman year at Valparaiso University. In a precursor to Man vs. Food, they won the contest with […]