At first these two words mays seem like an oxymoron. How can one actively wait? Isn’t the definition of “waiting” the absence of action? I am going to argue that, in fact, we rarely simply wait. Think about the doctor’s office. Many times we wait for what seems an eternity for someone to come to…
Hurry Up and Wait
Our family dog, Ziva, is a Boerboel or South African Mastiff. She is huge! Many times, she is patient—she sits or lies patiently beside me while I type away at my computer. But when she needs something—food, potty break, attention—she is NOT patient. She becomes a humongous writhing mass of paws, tongue and tan body….
Living an Other-focused Life
What does that mean “other-focused” and why should I live that way? Let me illustrate the answer with a story. After Hurricane Katrina turned New Orleans and the surrounding areas into a wading pool for such unwelcome monsters as homelessness, widespread destruction of property, loss of life, jobs, pets and dignity, my home church organized…
Conflict with God
Sin creates conflict with God. We learned this in Genesis 3:1-6 when Satan in the form of a serpent convinced Eve that she would not really die like God said she would if she ate of the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil. But sin also creates conflict with others. Adam blamed Eve…
Pleasure versus Happiness
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between pleasure and happiness? Aren’t they almost the same thing? We’re happy when we experience pleasure, right? No! The difference between pleasure and happiness is vast. Pleasure is fleeting and elusive. It is an appetite that is never fully satisfied. It always demands more. Pleasure leads to…
Rebecca Reed, Author 