Examine Your Choices: Consider the Cost - Part 3

Do you realize that God probes your heart to insure nothing is hidden from him or yourself? In a court of law, attorneys examine and cross-examine witnesses in search of the truth. Counselors listen for thoughts and feelings to help resolve emotional and relational conflicts. Mechanics have diagnostic tools for solving problems with your automobile.

God searches the heart for hidden and unforgiven sin. He examines the heart for motives that sabotage his purpose and plan. He knows we’re capable of intentions that are contrary to his ways and in conflict with our conscience. God checks out your heart to see if fellowship with him is based on truth and to challenge you to live within that truth.

God scrutinizes the heart, seeking wrong motives, thinking, and deeds that prevent growth and maturity in faith. Balaam, in Numbers 22, recognized and confessed his sin but never repented or changed. In contrast, David repented and begged God to create in him a clean heart. God is capable of doing just that. 

Milestones of Commitment: Don't Turn Back! - Part 3

The fact that you’re alive indicates that faith and hope are possible for your future. There will be difficult times when circumstances require courage as you come to a crossroads where godly choices are critical. No matter how secure you feel nor how free from trouble you’ve been, life insures that changes will be required somewhere in the future.

Everyone has or will have crossroads experiences that challenge your purpose for living. Reaching a milestone is a point of departure from the old way and is indicative that real change is coming. Each developmental stage of life requires changes that cannot be avoided. While it's true that old, unhealthy attitudes can be retained, most people in time will discard these.

Maximizing a milestone experience requires being vulnerable to seeking God's best plan and then patiently waiting for his guidance. When your eyes, ears, heart, and mind are open and receptive, God will not be late or silent. It’s within God's character to respond to all who seek him, and he promises to be found. 

Melting Stone-Cold Attitudes, Ideas, and Hearts - Part 3

How important are other people's opinions to you? There are individuals  who will never be swayed by what others think or believe. Then there are those whose lives hinge on other people's opinions. Fortunately, most people will consider what others say and then make an independent decision.

The older brother in Jesus' story of the lost son was emotionally locked into an inflexible way of thinking. To him, his younger brother made a choice that forever separated him from the privileges and rights of belonging to the family. To him, it was incomprehensible that his brother could come home and be embraced as an important family member.

The older brother's indignation kept him from celebrating his brother's homecoming. He appeared incapable of feeling empathy for his brother or father. Empathy clears the way for understanding what's important to another person. Empathy encourages you to walk with someone through a troubled or a happy occasion. God's love and redemption can melt a heart of stone and clear the way for compassion.  

Melting Stone-Cold Attitudes, Ideas, and Hearts - Part 2

In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus teaches that God's love and mercy extend to undeserving people. This idea collides with the Jewish belief that God's love was reserved only for the Hebrew people. They made their theology fit into a rigid social and religious belief system that could not be altered.

God revealed himself to the Jewish people so they could be witnesses of his love to all humanity. God told them they were indeed their brother's keeper and responsible to God for their attitudes and behaviors. When the older brother in the parable witnessed his father extend acceptance to his undeserving brother, it was more than he could manage.

Another teaching from this parable is, never devote your life to what is transitory, for it cannot guarantee acceptance into God's eternal presence. Jesus encourages us to store up treasures in heaven where their value will never diminish. When kindness and love are given to those who are undeserving, treasures accumulate into a heavenly account just for you.

Jealousy or Forgiveness? It's Your Choice - Part 2

Children are keen observers of the attitudes and behaviors their parents model for them. In the story of the prodigal son, imagine what the older brother was thinking and feeling when he observed his father give away property to his younger brother, who would sell it and leave home for an extended period of reckless living? He would later witness his father maintain a vigilant watch each day for the return of the younger son.

Picture the lavish reception this wayward son received from his father when he returned home in abject poverty. The older brother was not happy. He felt threatened, betrayed, and defensive. He believed he was not as special as his brother although he had worked hard, followed his father's rules, and remained obedient.

Is it fair for God to be as accepting of someone who has enjoyed a life of sin and reckless living as he is of someone who has always been faithful? Your answer could  be based on which of these two brothers you more clearly identify with. The good news is, God's love and mercy are greater than all your sins.

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As of Monday, March 21 new posts now occur 3 days of each week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Blog posts will coordinate with the radio broadcast schedule of Attitudes/Answers that airs at 5:45 PM on KHCB radio at 105.7FM in the Houston area. To stream it live or for a listing of sister stations in TX, OK, LA, and FL, you may click on the KHCB link in the "About Me" section of this page.

Crisis and Reality - Part 2

In the parable of the prodigal son Jesus relates how a young man, his older brother, and a father came face to face with reality. The younger son demanded that his father immediately give him his inheritance. Days later this young man sold his inheritance, packed his stuff, and left home. What do you think the father felt as his son walked out the door?

If your children have left home or are ready to do so, maybe you can identify somewhat with the ambivalence this parent felt experiencing his son's leaving home to find his way in the world. Leaving home takes determination, courage, and dreams. It's not whether you leave home, but what attitude motivates you to do so.

In this parable the young man left home with false assumptions that evolved into a life-threatening crisis. Someone said, "We cling dogmatically to our assumptions as long as possible." We often experience pain and suffering by acting on false assumptions. Yet God in his mercy helps us correct the plunge into crisis and return to the loving Father's love and forgiveness.

Overcoming Obstacles by Growth and Change - Part 2

What do you believe is the most important part of yourself that you take to work each day? Is it your capacity to think, perhaps your integrity, that permits you to give of yourself beyond what's expected? If not, it's important to examine your attitude to determine what stands in the way. Obstacles could be persons who do not like you or negative attributes within yourself.

God has given you this unique capacity to think, to observe, to analyze, and  make decisions about what to do in any given situation. If you allow a negative attitude to develop about work, then you're vulnerable to becoming entrapped by these obstacles.

Keep in mind that obstacles can be seen as challenges for change and growth. Romans 12:21 lays out a strategy for dealing with obstacles, regardless of their origin. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." The good you can do is determined by your ability to think and believe that God is at work to help you. Choosing what is good is God's way.  

Re-creating Job Satisfaction - Part 3

Two objectives for working are to attain satisfaction and a earn a livelihood. The degree of satisfaction you experience is linked to your attitude toward work. A positive attitude will enhance your chances for satisfaction in other areas of your life. The happier you are with work, the higher your chances for finding meaning and purpose for your time here on earth.

What are you trying to extract from your work? Is it just a means to an end, a way to get the necessities of life and other things you want? Is work a channel for retirement and security for old age? I'm reminded of Jesus' parable about the farmer who reaped such an abundant harvest that he had to build new barns to store the overflow.

His attitude was to eat, drink, and be happy, but he failed to consider God's plan for his future. The point Jesus made is that your attitude toward work may not produce the rewards you expect. However deciding that your work is God gift to you can be the attitude you take to work and pass on to others. What could be more pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ?

Re-creating Job Satisfaction - Part 2

The attitudes you developed toward work as an adolescent most often endure for a lifetime. Some adolescents want to avoid work while others seek out employment. Those who to have a positive attitude toward work as teenagers tend to make better adjustments to the changes life requires during the decades of the forties and fifties.

For some adults, mid-life necessitates redefining specific goals for working. More than a few men and women reach mid-life and conclude they have been chasing the wind, as Solomon pointed out in Ecclesiastes 4:6. The attitude you possess toward work determines in part whether you come to judge your life's toil as meaningful or meaningless.

Without Christ Jesus giving direction to your life, what you achieve can be seen as pointless and ultimately worthless. Change must include an evaluation of your attitude toward work, the objectives you've achieved and whether you believe work is God's gift to you. God is at work in your life to show you his way and what you can be for him and others.  

Re-creating Job Satisfaction - Part 1

If you were honest, how would you gauge your attitude toward the work that you do each day? What has influenced you in forming this attitude? A large percentage of the work force consider changing employment to find more fulfillment and job satisfaction. Do you think work is one of the most important dimensions of life, but would rather not be doing it?

The uncertainty of work and the changing attitudes and values placed on work create anxiety and stress for all concerned. What helps determine the importance of work and whether it's meaningful is decided by the influence you believe it has on others and if you believe you're making a positive contribution to the lives of others.

God put in everyone's heart a desire to be creative and to feel blessed in doing so. When you share your wisdom and knowledge, it actually reduces stress and anxiety. Proverbs 29:9 is an encouragement. "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares what he has with others." Will you let this be seen in your attitude and actions?

Burned Out or Blessed? - Part 3

Jesus told a parable in Matthew thirteen about a farmer who went out to sow his seeds, which fell on four different types of soil. Imagine this farmer walking through his field sowing the seeds. Some seeds fell on a well-traveled path comprised of hard packed soil. These seeds had no chance to get planted, so birds came and ate them.

When work is seen as having little value except for a paycheck, feelings of stagnation eventually replace a positive attitude that made work endurable. What you bring to the work that God can use to influence others gives work a special purpose. If our attitude is centered only on a paycheck then encouragement will diminish like the seeds the birds ate.

Coming to terms with who you can be in Christ Jesus and how that is passed on to others can make a  difference in the value you place on work. You're  encouraged to be committed as if working for Christ Jesus, for he is at work to activate his good purpose in you. With this attitude, you can sow seeds that yield a good harvest.  

Burned Out or Blessed? - Part 2

How would you describe your attitude about the work you do each day? Is it a drudgery or a blessing? Is work a place where you do as little as possible just to keep your job? Do you have enthusiasm for your work? It's true that some tasks are mundane and not challenging, but the attitude you have about work doesn't have to be negative.

Is it possible to perceive work as God's gift to you, rather than punishment to make life miserable? How is it possible for work to be seen as a blessing from God who loves you? Work brings into focus an acute awareness of choices that determines what level of influence you will have on fellow workers and those we serve.

If you've reached mid-life, consider the knowledge and wisdom you can pass on freely to the next generation. You may have to force yourself to count the ways you've been blessed by God in your work. Next, thank God for his blessings by   permitting yourself to enjoy the fruits of your labor. This is possible when you view your work as a gift from God.  

Work: A Gift from God - Part 3

If you were asked to explain what gives meaning and purpose to your work, what would you say? A mother I know worked at a department store for years so her daughters could attend college. Personally, I worked as a young man so I could go to college and support my wife and daughter. God intended for work to give meaning and purpose to life because work is a necessity.

Some people see work as a drudgery and punishment from God. If this fits  your attitude, there will be little joy found in work, regardless of your position or salary. For work to be meaningful and purposeful it must hinge on an attitude that is compatible with God's plan for you. Work is a necessity for the development of integrity, self-esteem and independence.

Do you wonder why adult children of wealthy parents seek careers in public service? Creative work furthers God's plan for you while providing meaning and purpose that prevents stagnation and self-absorption from taking over. Colossians 3:23 offers this encouragement. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."  

Managing Mistakes - Part 3

Finding meaningful work is one of the most important endeavors men and women seek in life. Ecclesiastes 5:19 specifically says that to be happy in one's work is a gift from God. The most important objective, although not always given first place, is finding peace with God by loving and seeking him with all your heart, soul, and strength.

Contentment with work depends on your motivation for work. My mother's  job was being a homemaker. She viewed this work as her career and still in her late seventies stayed busy doing what she defined as her job. She believed her work was a gift from God. Do you see your career as a means of helping others to be successful, either directly or indirectly?

Change must include altering your attitude about work. How would your attitude be affected if you believed your work was a gift from God? If this were possible, you might be more motivated to use your knowledge, skills, and wisdom to benefit the next generation destined to take your place. This would be a great choice for God and others.  

Managing Mistakes - Part 2

Our society has varying requirements for achieving success in a career. One motivation that drives people to strive for success is personal recognition and acceptance by peers and family. Singer/song writer John Denver's success gave him the means to exploit flying, which made him feel acceptable to his father, an Air Force test pilot.

In the drive to succeed it's almost impossible to avoid becoming self-absorbed, which requires staying singularly focused to limit distractions such as the family or an active spiritual life. For the self-absorbed, other important facets of life will have to be partially ignored.

Self-absorption overlooks giving others the essentials for making their lives successful. To change from being self-absorbed to other-centered requires analyzing your attitude about why to be successful. Jesus asked you, "What good will it be to gain the whole world and forfeit your soul?" This could include your family or your physical and spiritual well-being. You can make better choices.  

Managing Mistakes - Part 1

Getting older is desired by adolescents seeking independence and greater control over their destiny. With age comes the privilege of decision-making and the right to choose a career. But by mid-life, disappointments surface as a consequence of earlier choices. Facing disappointments is unavoidable, but the way they are managed depends on your attitude.

Mistakes and bad choices can be attributed to immaturity, but choosing to learn and mature requires being receptive to what God wants us to see about ourselves and to his plan for our future. While mid-life's uncertainties will come, we choose to cope by submitting our future to Christ Jesus who empowers us to make helpful choices and changes.

Your choices permit a shift from trusting your own intelligence and power to trusting God. Psalm 22:5 assures that those who trust in the Lord will not be disappointed. "Trust in the Lord and do good and he will cause you to dwell safely in the land." This is an assurance as well as a choice that ensures positive change.  

Treasure Hunting - Part 2

Glen and Mary built a life around his profession. While he worked, she did  everything to be supportive. She made sure the children looked good and performed well. She managed homework and school projects to ensure good grades to keep their father happy. Glen seldom made it home before the children's bedtime. Weekends meant relaxation to refuel himself for work. 

          This seems like an exaggerated account of family life and pushing self-absorption to the extreme, but this was the self-deception that pervaded both Mary and Glen's lives. Glen justified his life style: "I work long hours to ensure Mary and the children of a good life." "Someday we will have time to be together," was Mary's rationalization.

          Change involves examination of attitudes and values. Be honest about your commitments. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, therein resides the desires of your heart." You pass on to your children your treasures regardless of their eternal value. It may be late, but you can change. Be sure God occupies first place in your life so you can pass that on.  

Harmony at Home and Work - Part 1

In our culture men and women in their twenties jump on a fast track that hopefully secures their place within a career field. To maintain a competitive edge, self-confidence and competence is a necessity. A paradox is that choosing a career as the solitary pathway to happiness with a commitment to do so often generates a disconnect from intimate others.

Inaugurating change includes honestly assessing your priorities. A job is important, for it contributes significantly to structuring your identity. However when elevated to the position of highest priority, a career may create distance from loved ones. Establishing a healthy balance demands a thorough examination of workplace expectations and personal values.

God intended for you to find meaning and purpose in work. He also designed you for relationships, for here you receive the physical, emotional, and spiritual nurturing that brings contentment. When your identity is anchored to Christ Jesus, continuous harmony between a career and intimate relationships can flow with confidence.  

Motivation for Change - Part 2

Learning, growing, and changing should be a never-ending process and desire. Children who have the opportunity to explore and discover their world seem to develop a conscientious attitude that leads to a life of productivity. Attitudes and values are caught rather than taught, so being an example is the primary means of encouraging children to learn.

God expects us to be productive and industrious and to learn to over-come obstacles we invariably encounter. Listen to God's instructions from Genesis 1:28: "So God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature.'"

Making choices for positive change may include evaluating your attitude toward learning and growing. Proverbs 12:1 points out the relationship between discipline and learning. "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge." I hope that you will never grow weary of learning and that you help children to love learning.  

Examining Attitudes - Part 3

Do you know someone who has an unhealthy, critical disposition? A critical attitude often originates when someone or something is perceived as a threat. A parent may become so hyper-sensitive toward a child that he or she is under constant scrutiny and criticism. When this happens, the child become anxious and more given to making mistakes.

Changing a critical attitude begins by deciding to focus on what is helpful and positive rather than negative. A parent must deliberately search for things to praise about a child when a constant, critical attitude has gotten a foothold. Ask yourself, “What alternatives are there to a negative, critical attitude to a particular person or of the world?”

After his conversion, Paul changed his attitude toward Christians by seeing them no longer as a threat, but as God's people. Listen to Psalm 27:13. “I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart.” A healthy attitude eagerly accepts positive change.