Category: Wisdom

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Journal Wisdom

Book Recommendations on Dealing with Our Anger

This week’s continuation of the sermon series Kitchen Table Talks on Relationships dealt with the subject of anger in our relationships.   I did not have a chance to mention the resource books I wanted to recommend.  

One of the books I recommended last week; Making Love Last Forever by Gary Smalley (Word Publishing 1996) has several chapters relating to anger issues as well.  Chapter 3, for example is titled “Seven Ways to Unload Unresolved Anger.” 

Another small yet very helpful book is Coping with Your Anger by Andrew D. Lester (Westminster Press, 1983)   It is available either new or used from Amazon.

A third book I recommend is Overcoming Hurts and Anger by Dwight L. Carlson (Harvest House).   The version I have is dated 1981 but I discovered that it is now available in a newer 2000 revised and expanded edition. 

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Church Leadership Journal Wisdom

Recommended encouragement for couples by a fellow pastor

I’ve heard Mark O. Wilson speak.  It’s a great pastor in a medium sized town in northern Wisconsin and he has many very practical ideas.  This article is in Wesleyan Life online.   I highly recommend it.

http://www.wesleyanlifeonline.com/article?id=150&src=0

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Journal Wisdom

Recommended Books on Respect in Relationships

In this morning’s Kitchen Table Talk about Relationships, JoAnne and I discussed how important it is to respect other people.   The apostle Peter wrote us in the key verse for the morning, “Show proper respect to everyone” (1 Peter 2:17 NIV).   I was asked after the message about the books I recommended.   So I thought I would list them here on my blog.  I know they each one will be helpful to anyone who reads it.

Recommended Books on Respect in Relationships

Author(s)

Title

Publisher

Emerson Eggerichs

Love and Respect

Thomas Nelson,  2004

Gary Smalley and John Trent

The Gift of Honor

Thomas Nelson, 1987

Gary Smalley

Making Love Last Forever

Word, 1996

 

 

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Church Leadership Journal Joy Notes Wisdom

What should you look for in a good church?

During our 50th celebration we received many compliments as a church family.  Some were for relatively unimportant things.  Others for very significant factors.  The highest compliment we received, I believe, was from one person who does not often speak publicly.  She rose in testimony time and said that she liked our church and was attracted to it because we not only taught the Bible and preached about it but we lived it too.   That has to be one of the key characteristics of every good church.   Jesus said it was the description of every wise follower of his.  Here’s a great article on how to choose a good church.   I think the four ideals this author unpacks describe Community Wesleyan in Kirkville too.

http://blogs.christianpost.com/smallpreacher-biggod/how-to-find-a-good-church-9728/

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Church Leadership Journal Wisdom

Why should we attend church?

Here’s a very thoughtful article on the subject that is well worth thinking about.   It’s so easy to get out of the habit that we need reminding from time to time why it is so important.

http://blogs.christianpost.com/the-pastors-eye/ten-good-reasons-to-go-to-church-9676/

 

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Church Leadership Journal News Commentary Wisdom

Comments on the Mega-Millions Jackpot

It is a commentary on our society when the jackpot or the winners for government sponsored gambling becomes the banner headline news.  Is there nothing more important, more transformational, more threatening, or more informative going on today that should be the banner headlines?  I consider it an insult that news media seem to think I find who won to be the most newsworthy information today.

It’s what sells, not what’s important that we see

First, it is a commentary on what runs the news media.   We are not fed what is important or what is significant, but rather what people will click or buy –that is, what will sell ads.   So news executives are not promoted primarily because they serve society well but because they pander to the whims of the slice of society who click on (buy) news.   I contend that when we decide to make mega-million jackpots the banner headline, we should consider the detrimental effect of promoting the economic parasite of gambling.  

Continue reading “Comments on the Mega-Millions Jackpot”
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Church Leadership Journal News Commentary Wisdom

Why going to church is important to you and your children

Often people ask me if they can be a Christian and not go to church.   I think it would be like trying to be a gourmet cook without frequenting the produce department of the grocery store; or trying to be a good basketball player without going to practices.  The excuses people use for staying away are sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and often revealing.     Since Easter, the high point of the Christian year, is little more than a week away,  this is a great time to remind ourselves of just how important it is to express our faith and grow in it by gathering together.  Here is a good article summarizing why attending church is important.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/why-going-to-church-is-important-part-1-72392/

 

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News Commentary Wisdom

Religious faith and a stable family are the real sources of help for poorly performing students

City schools are a perennial topic of conversation.   What can be done to help poor districts?   What helps students who are struggling?  So much talk and money is spent on things which don’t really make a difference because political correctness keeps us from endorsing what really does make a difference – religious faith and stable family structure.  This study should be labeled as a landmark study.   It should be required reading for politicians overseeing schools and for school officials.    

http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-faith-family-most-important-to-reduce-race-based-achievement-gap-71130/

 

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Journal News Commentary Wisdom

A great article against increasing legal gambling

I am very opposed to the government making money from its citizens by promoting gambling of any kind. It is immmoral as it is a way for the powerful to shirk responsibility and to rob the vulnerable instead. In the following article Albert Mohler Jr. argues convincingly that besides being immoral, increasing casino gambling is also counter-productive financially for communities.

http://www.albertmohler.com/2012/02/21/casino-culture-and-the-collapse-of-character/

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Journal Joy Notes Wisdom

The happiest people

I read a great quote this evening that is worth posting.  It helps provide prospective for the New Year too.  I’m enjoying the book very much.

“The happiest people are those who have invested their time in others.  The unhappiest people are those who wonder how the world is going to make them happy.”   (John C. Maxwell in Be a People Person, 2007, p. 20)