Great Christian Articles

1. “Good Works, Fruit From the Root” – by Joy Crichton http://www.lookoutmag.com/articles/articledisplay.asp?id=13

2. “Count Our Blessings” – by Steven Clark Goad
http://www.lookoutmag.com/articles/articledisplay.asp?id=40

3. “The Year of the Locus” – by Patricia Leech
http://www.lookoutmag.com/articles/articledisplay.asp?id=52

4. “Defining Moments” – by Joy Crichton
http://www.lookoutmag.com/articles/articledisplay.asp?id=56

5. “The Miracle of You” – by Melinda Fausey
http://www.lookoutmag.com/articles/articledisplay.asp?id=63

6. “Write Your Own Psalms” – by Eva Juliuson
http://www.lookoutmag.com/articles/articledisplay.asp?id=248

7. Eight Great Reasons to Fast – Victor Parachin
http://www.freemethodistchurch.org/Magazine/Articles/Mar-Apr_2005/M-A_2005_Parachin.htm

8. The Art of Learning – by Paul Bothwick
http://www.navpress.com/EPubs/DisplayArticle/1/1.19.10.html

The Making of a Goal!

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”- Anatole France

This past week it seems that that the whole world has been focused on our home region of Central Florida where tropical storm Fay has unleashed unprecedented rain upon our flat mostly concrete urban region. While Orlando has only experienced approximately seven inches of rainfall, (instead of the twenty seven inches being reported on one of our costal cities,) the storms have wreaked havoc environment even driving snakes and alligators into flooded neighborhoods. (Or so the new media sensationalists have reported.) Now, finally at the end of the week our Meteorologists are telling us that the front that has been stalled over our region for the last four days is now moving upstate. With the continued heavy bands of rain and overflowing lakes, we are looking for the proof.
Our anguish over the relentless tropical storm this past week, caused me to reflect upon some parallels of the unwelcomed gloominess that often accompanies situational storms in our lives. Who among us has not despaired over any of a thousand life events that can leave us languishing, idle, stagnate and unproductive at times? Just as with tropical storm Fay we can easily feel overwhelmed and outmatched. The larger the circumstance the easier it seems to be to lose our focus and sense of purpose. Interest and passions fade and mediocrity becomes almost expected and acceptable. However, if we are honest with ourselves the reason for our slip is that we have allowed the situation to become one more of the excessive number of demands that far too often overcomplicated our lives. It’s at the period of stagnation that we should stop, take a step backwards and get on target before completing the inevitable downward spiral.


Stagnate? Aim for a Target!



Instinctively we all know how to avoid it. Everyone says, “You’ve got to get a plan and work your plan.” But that requires goal setting, identifying objectives, and aiming at a target. Even if that goal is just to not eat Ice Cream anymore we can never accomplish it without naming the objective and having a clear direction and action steps to help you reach the desired outcome. Once your target is identified, get honest feedback from a variety of trusted friends to help you do some honest realistic target assessment. You may want to may want the next lead solo in church choir but a trusted friend may convince you that an ensemble position might be a more realistic sub objective to meeting your long term goal of lead soloist.

Once the goal and sub-objectives have been identified, realistically clarified, then it can only be come realized with what has been referred to as the blood, sweat and tears of persistence. “For a dream comes with much business and painful effort, and a fool’s voice with many words.” Ecclesiastes 5:3 (Amplified Version.) Another way of putting it is talk is cheep show me the goods. Even to complete most goals it takes more than physical work and pain. It takes a commitment to become a life time learner.

Lifelong Learning.- More Than a Hard Pill to Swallow:



In his article “The Art of Learning,” Paul Bothwick, explains that the Greek word for learner in the Bible actually was translated “learner” In Matthew 11:29 we find Jesus telling his disciples to “Take My Yoke and Learn of Me.” Likewise James wrote, “But prove yourselves doers of the word and not mere hearers who delude themselves.” (James 1:22) (New International Version.) I have placed a link to Bothwick’s full article under the Great Articles section of my blog and I encourage you to check out the full scope of what he so effectively communicates. To break it down, Botwick says that learning involves reading, listening, writing, and traveling. Reading consists of The Bible, books, people, nature, and ourselves. With regard to Listening he admonishes us with James 1:19 to “Be quick to hear and slow to speak”. But who must we hear? To put it simply - God, Ourselves and Others. Thirdly, Bothwick points out that Writing or Journaling challenges us to focus our thoughts on one subject at a time. Like with the Psalms of King David we can use a journal to record the moments of struggle, faith, and growth with God. Finally Traveling (whether in person or vicariously through the Internet), allows for expanded learning through cultures different from our own. I am privileged to be a part of a multicultural church congregation and can personally testify to the wide variety of nuances and views that have dramatically reshaped my understanding of the world, realities, and perspectives within Christianity. While traveling may not be seen by some as a difficult part of learning, because it forces us to confront our long held beliefs and prejudices for me it has definitely been a rewardingly but none the less laborious experience.



Perhaps the most fulfilling benefit of achieving any goal is the ability to pass along a skill or knowledge to others. Becoming a Mentor or Trainer allows for the passing of the torch to the next generation. Regardless of the goals you choose to focus on, none of us as Christians are given the option of a free ride. If we choose to remain stagnate or puttering around in mediocrity we have already elected to fail Take the challenge and complete a goal. Don’t remain stalled like our stagnate tropical storm. “A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle.” - Kahlil Gibran