Take Australia First
When playing the board game RISK, always…always…take Australia first. Then, hold it. Then, take one or two more countries per turn from there. Then get a card. You’ll win the game every time. But, it...
View ArticleFriday Stream of Consciousness – 134
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: The San Diego Chargers are heading to Los Angeles…at least it certainly appears that way. That will leave me with a football quandary. Do I return to the Denver...
View ArticleMy Summer Reading List – 2015
Yesterday was Memorial Day, which really inaugurates Summer. The wate rparks open. The weather changes. School is almost out. With apologies to Christmas, it’s the most wonderful time of the year....
View ArticleFriday Stream of Consciousness – 136
Here’s what I’m thinking about this morning: Most people think of finance when they think of Warren Buffett. Rightfully so. He is the greatest investor in the history of the world. Here’s an...
View ArticleHow to Change the World by Scaring It
These days, there is a formula for trying to affect change in the world. Scare people. Scare people. I mean, really scare them. Do whatever you can to make people uncomfortable with who they are, where...
View ArticleA Hazy Shade of Preaching
It surprises me how often I and my colleagues use language from the pulpit that we understand but few others can. Sometimes people can understand the words. They just don’t mean much. “Freedom,”...
View ArticleMe Stuck with Me
I took a vacation. It wasn’t much of one. Only 48 hours or so. I had to take a couple of calls during that time (a pastorcation). But, I took one. Just me. My family is scattered abroad for another...
View ArticleFriday Stream of Consciousness – 138
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: It’s Finals Day for the Christianity and Culture class I’m teaching at Pepperdine. Going to class of any kind in July from 11:30 – 1:45 every day is likely to...
View ArticleFriday Stream of Consciousness – 139
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: I’m going to be launching a podcast in a couple of weeks. It will be short (15 minutes or so in length), and aimed at providing practical ministry advice of all...
View ArticleThe Life of the Soul
How about this amazing quote from Tricia McCary Rhodes in her book, Sacred Chaos: Spiritual Disciplines for the Life You Have.“ Sometime I think of the hours and days when I have shunned the Lord’s...
View ArticleStop Stressing
Stress is often misunderstood as something that derives simply from “work.” If someone complains about being stressed out, we might tell them to obey the Sabbath more faithfully and to take some time...
View ArticleHow to Pray for Your Pastor
Having God's people praying for me is one of the greatest blessings in my life. The Scriptures teach the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective, and I hope someday God will grant me the...
View ArticleHow Not to Solve a Crisis
When responding to crisis, do not create a response dependent on crisis for its own existence. Otherwise, your solution will become your crisis. The post How Not to Solve a Crisis appeared first on...
View ArticleThe Deafening Witness of Calm
The problems of the world we live in are significant, indeed. But, the world wasn't changed by Jesus the crusader. It was changed by Jesus the Crucified. The post The Deafening Witness of Calm appeared...
View ArticleFriday Stream of Consciousness – 141
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: I really couldn’t care less about the final four in College Football. I think the best 4 teams are Alabama, Stanford, Ohio State, and Clemson. So, I’ll go ahead...
View ArticleAre You Winning the Wrong Race?
It doesn’t matter if you win a race if it is the wrong race. We cannot declare ourselves winners of a marathon for winning a boat race. It’s winning. It’s just winning at the wrong thing. Which is a...
View ArticleFriday Stream of Consciousness -142
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: HOW IN THE WORLD COULD ANYONE VOTE AGAINST KEN GRIFFEY JR. FOR THE HALL OF FAME? Trevor Hoffman also should have made it. It looks like the Chargers are headed to...
View ArticlePractice Makes Better
Dallas Willard observed, “In many cases, our need to wonder about or be told what God wants in a certain situation is nothing short of a clear indication of how little we are engaged in His work.” To...
View ArticleFriday Stream of Consciousness – 144
Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: I tried the new Quesalupa from Taco Bell and I loved it. Don’t judge. A cheese filled tortilla–brilliant. Not cheese melted inside a folded tortilla. A tortilla...
View ArticleWhat Do You Actually Say When You’re Preaching?
The language we use in church really matters. The language we use in our preaching matters especially. The post What Do You Actually Say When You’re Preaching? appeared first on TimSpivey.com.
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