One of my favorite fairy tales from my childhood, probably because it is the one I remember most, is actually foundationally strong in Biblical truth. The Emperor’s New Clothes. It is a classic story by Hans Christian Andersen about a vain emperor who loves fashion. His desire for clothes is his weakness. This opens himself up to two swindlers, conmen who trick the king by claiming they can weave magical fabric that is invisible to those who are stupid or unfit for office. The emperor, his court, and the townspeople all pretend to see the non-existent clothes out of fear of appearing foolish. This goes on until a child overtly points out that the emperor is naked, revealing the collective delusion. The story is a parable about vanity, pride, ignorance and the importance of speaking truth in power. But I would argue that it is about something that is much more important.
Read MoreJason Metz
HUNGER
Eating is such a part of who we are. It is an everyday ritual that often determines the schedule of our day. From a physiological standpoint, eating means life. When we don’t take in nutrients and the right nutrients at that, we will eventually succumb to malnutrition and death. The hunger drive that is wired within us is one, if not the most physical drives that we experience.
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IF NOT NOW WHEN?
There is an epidemic that is infecting Americans. It is not viral or biologic in origin, but rather spiritual. I’m not sure how long ago it started, however we can see how it has intensified with every new generation. Though this plague is not organic, the effect does have a physical and as well as an emotional consequence on everyone affected.
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IT DOESN’T MATTER
There is a tragedy in the world today. Far too many people are living a mere shadow of what they have been created to be. Satisfied with being just a piece of a much greater complexity. It is a weak point in our lives, a point of natural vulnerability. The world conveys this message and convinces us that we are in fact incomplete and only certain things can make us whole.
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HABITS
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
-James 1:12
As this year winds down, our attention naturally turns to the start of a new twelve months. And with this renewed outlook, opportunities abound to make some life alterations. Many people take this time and “resolve” to make some positive changes in their life. This usually involves quitting something, losing weight, starting an exercise routine or adopting a healthier lifestyle. Hopes are pinned to a New Year’s Resolution and inadvertently those ambitions fail in the coming days and weeks.
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OBEDIENCE OR OBLIGATION?
Sometimes I wonder what motivates most people. Is it the notion that obedience is correct or simply because of obligation. An obligation boils down to something we have to do, not necessarily something we want to do. Obedience on the other hand is the willingness to simply obey.
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THANKFULNESS
We can all remember our mothers teaching us basic manners. If we want something we have to say the magic word. The customary reply… Thank you! Simple manners with easy words to remember. To say thank you is an expected response if someone does anything for you. But how often is this response simply an automatic reply, without much thought or intention? Often I would guess.
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CAN YOU BE TRUSTED?
Just a few weeks ago after shoulder surgery, my legs started hurting. It wasn’t hard to figure out why. My body is used to movement. Being down for my shoulder started taking its toll on the rest of my body. It was a kind of catch 22, I needed to keep my shoulder immoble, but by doing so, the rest of my body began to suffer. After discussing it with my physical therapist, she simply said, “Can you be trusted to go to the gym?”
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ASSUMPTIONS
How many times have we formed an opinion way before we should have? Maybe it’s about a situation and how we think it will turn out. Maybe it’s about a person and who we think they are. The problem with jumping to conclusions is that we are operating from a very limited pool of information. Facts and truth matter. Without them we will be stuck in a perpetual mode of voluntary ignorance.
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