What to Neglect to Have a Rich Life - John Bloom (Desiring God): "Here’s the thing: we are frequently impoverished spiritually by our own not letting ourselves be rich. On our shelves or bed stands or in our tablets or computers is a bank vault of “true riches” (Luke 16:11). But the pawnshop trinkets of worldly words are deceptively attractive. We can even be on our way to spend our time (the currency of life) on the riches in the vault and end up spending it in the pawnshops along the way."
A Better Country for Old Men - David Mathis (Bethlehem Baptist Church): "We need you — ordinary, average, imperfect you. Not only do we long for the likes of Raymond Lull (martyred among Muslims at age 80), and Polycarp (bishop of Smyrna, burned alive in 155 at age 86), and J. Oswald Sanders (who wrote a book a year beginning at age 70 and died a week after he turned 100). But we also earnestly need the unknown senior sages, laboring without renown in out-of-the-way local churches, participating without occupying the positions of privilege, engaged without making the final calls, on the bus without having to be in the driver’s seat."
The Idols of a Mother's Heart - Christina Fox (Desiring God): "When you are upset because you can’t do something you’ve wanted to do, it might be because that thing has become an idol in your heart. I said these words one afternoon in response to one of my kids who was frustrated because I had taken away his highly valued time on the computer. We then talked about how idols are not always easy to recognize and that our emotional responses can sometimes be an indicator of what’s going on in our heart."
7 Positive Ways to Respond to Criticism - Ray Pritchard (Keep Believing Ministries): "Live long enough and you’ll be criticized for your looks, your dress, your habits, what you do, where you go, and who you hang out with. In business and in the ministry critics abound. Sometimes they sprout like mushrooms after a spring rain. Or maybe they’re more like snails and worms. The point is, they’re everywhere. Here are seven positive ways to respond to criticism."
How to Pray for a Future Husband - Candice Watters (Focus on the Family): "Whatever season of life you're in, you need to pray because prayer is about relationship with God. Whether single and praying about your desire for a husband; or later, if you're married, praying about your desire for a baby; or praying for your (or your husband's) need for a job; or if you never do marry, praying about serving faithfully while celibate, the need to pray never ends. Jesus told his disciples they should "always pray and not give up." It's never too soon, or too late, to start."
