It was Blaise Pascal that pointed to the “infinite abyss” in our souls and stated it could only be filled by God himself.  If he is right, then we could never put together a bucket list that would soothe this deep soul ache.  Indeed, it is only the abundant life that God provides that would truly satisfy.

Read the transcript for The Bucket List is a Cover Up - Part 2

Sign up for the Wisdom in All Things email

There simply isn’t a bucket list that could account for the plentiful quantity and quality of life that Jesus provides.  When He provides life, is it life that is “all-around, “more than”, beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectation, going past the expected limit.” – Strong’s Concordance definition of “abundant”

What would it look like to kick the bucket [list] for the abundant life?

Read the transcript The Bucket List is a Cover Up - Part 1

Sign up for the Wisdom in All Things email

“Judge not.”  It’s so useful.  A ready-made defense for any occasion.  This may very well be the reason why many believe the “judge not” verse to be one of the most widely misinterpreted verses.  How convenient to be able to throw a “judge not” at the end of your judgment.

Read the transcript for Judge Not?  You be the Judge of That

Sign up for the Wisdom in All Things email

I like this definition of priority: “the right to take precedence…”

Prayer certainly has that right.  Because of its value and benefit, it is set apart, above and before all things.

Putting prayer in its proper place gives light to our path, and the ability to navigate its twists and turns.  Now, to put it in its proper place.

Read the transcript for Finding the Inspiration to Make Prayer a Priority

Sign up for the Wisdom in All Things email

There is a right time to wait.  There is a right time to act.  This sensibility is an underlying trait of wisdom.  You certainly need to know what to do, but it requires that it be coupled with when it should be done.

Read the transcript for Developing Poise - Keeping Your Cool When Things Get Hot

Sign up for the Wisdom in All Things email

This ‘5 Hour Rule’ could be considered a reductionist view of the more profound concept put forth by Cal Newport and detailed in his book “Deep Work.”  For me, it was a fascinating look into the subject of mastery.  Newport explains how “it enables you to quickly (and deliberately) learn complicated new skills and produce high-value output at a high rate.”

Here's how to set aside an hour a day on what is most worthy of your time.

Read the transcript for How to Really Leverage the 5 Hour Rule

Sign up for the Wisdom in All Things email

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”  Not half, or most, but ALL your heart.

Trust–complete trust–is a thing to behold.

Our minds tell us we shouldn’t have an issue with this, but our hearts drag their little feet.

Read the transcript for The Ultimate Dare: Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

Sign up for the Wisdom in All Things email

Breaking through with the truth looks a lot like that scene in the movie where the main character is running toward the monster, while the whole of humanity is running the opposite direction in an attempt to escape.  Understood this way, ‘interesting’ probably won’t cut it.  Delivering the truth in a timely, compelling way in the face of opposition will be perceived as very peculiar.

Read the transcript for Boldness is a Pretty Peculiar Thing

Sign up for the Wisdom in All Things email

Knowledge puffs up, if there is no place for it to go.   If we’re not doing anything with it, the heart grows weak, and the body… withers.  In other words, head knowledge should lead to action.

James makes a pretty clear, bold statement about keeping it all in our heads: “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” – James 1:22 (emphasis mine; in this case, I appreciate the way the NLT renders this verse)

Read the transcript for Relieving Head Knowledge Before Your Head Pops

Sign up for the Wisdom in All Things email

With self-improvement getting such attention this time of year, it might be too easy to hear ‘spiritual growth’ and think ‘self-improvement’.  Our ‘being better’ is not spiritual growth.  And, it probably doesn’t mean ‘doing more.’

The risk here is to get formulaic or throw a checklist or two together, but spiritual growth is first, and perhaps primarily, a question for the heart.

Read the transcript for What Does Spiritual Growth Look Like?

Sign up for the Wisdom in All Things email