January, 2010
In 1 Timothy 4:16 Paul's words to Timothy were to "Get a hold of yourself. Make your own spiritual life a priority." In other words, we have to be careful that we don't get so busy that we forget we have spiritual needs too. It's so easy to get distracted by other things that scream for our attention. However, if our relationship with God suffers because we are trying to help everyone else, it will just be a matter of time until we run dry, lose our energy and passion, and have nothing more to offer. This is exactly what was happening to Timothy! If he was to continue serving as an effective minister to other people, he had to set aside some private time to develop his own relationship with God.
I have discovered that it is essential that I make my own spiritual life my first ... >> full...
posted by Dr. Phil January, 2010 8:14 AM Short Thoughts comments (0)
John Gardner once pointed out that, by their mid-thirties, most people have stopped acquiring new skills and new attitudes in any aspect of their lives. When I read that it stunned me. Stop and think, of you who are over thirty, how long has it been since you acquired a new skill? Or how many brand-new attitudes have you adopted---personal, political, social, spiritual, financial since you turned thirty? Do you drive to work the same way every morning? Are you compelled to approach a problem the identical way every time? Does a maverick (even wild) idea challenge you or cause you to retreat into the security of your shell? Have you lost that enthusiastic zest for discovery and adventure?
As I grow older (not getting old) I am discovering that living and learning are linked. So are existing and expiring. Each day delivers a totally new set of ... >> full...
posted by Dr. Phil 11:32 AM Short Thoughts comments (0)
Several years ago I remember a friend talking to me about education. At the time I had just finished taking my GED test and receiving my diploma. It was in my heart to continue to train and equip myself to be the best husband, dad, pastor, and leader I could. As I begin to take college courses online, my friend made this statement:
"The trouble with educated people is that learning goes to their heads and not to their hearts.”
I have never forgotten that statement. The heart is something of a prophet. It is only with the heart that one can see correctly; what is required is invisible to the eye. Does the path you’re traveling capture your heart? God has sent you into this world to do something into which you can pour your heart. Throw your heart over the fence and the rest ... >> full...
posted by Dr. Phil 1:19 PM Short Thoughts comments (1)
December, 2009
One of the painfully obvious truths for me to acknowledge is "habit is as habit does.” Habits are behavior and behavior never lies. Our habits determine our past, present, and future. Motivation gets me started, but habit is what keeps me going. We are creatures of habit, not creatures of motivation. The question I must ask myself is this:
"Are my habits helping or hurting my life?”
My Health habits? My Money habits? My Relationship habits? My Work habits? If you fill your days and nights with proper habits it will help you to stay away from the improper ones. God is a God of change and He will give us the power to rid ourselves of unsuccessful and destructive habits and replace them with successful and constructive ones!
- Pastor Phil
posted by Dr. Phil December, 2009 8:48 AM Short Thoughts comments (1)
Hello Friends,
Having been a pastor now for over 30 years I often find it challenging to give the same message over and over, yet give it in such a way that people feel as though they had never heard it preached. Christmas season is one of those challenging times.
I enjoy Christmas yet I often feel stress in preparing Christmas messages that people will find joy and comfort in. But then I remember what C.S. Lewis said in his book Mere Christianity: "People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.”
Wherever or however you experience Christmas, don’t forget that is a time to help others remember what Christ coming to the earth is all about. The angel told Mary "nothing is impossible with God!”
posted by Dr. Phil 11:21 AM Short Thoughts comments (0)
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