Category Archives: Complaining

It doesn’t feel good to be a Christian

Posted on May 9, 2013 by

Zac Northen wrote a perceptive piece over at Relevant Magazine titled, Can Inner Peace be Misleading? His call is timely for many people: “We need to develop the wisdom for living a life that is comfortable with being uncomfortable, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Anxiety, Attitude, Christian life, Christian worldview, Christianity, Comfort, Complaceny, Complaining, Conflict, Contentment, Culture, Defeat?, Depression, Despair, Discernment, Discouragement, God's Will, Guidelines for living, Hope?, Pain, Peace, Problem of evil, Sanctification, Suffering, Trials, Will of God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Responding to disappointments

Posted on April 29, 2013 by

When my dis-appointment becomes His-appointment. As a communicator, I always find it interesting to notice what people respond to and remember. This past sunday, I gave a message about hope being a distinguishing mark of those who represent Christ. My title for … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Change, Christian life, Christianity, Communication, Complaceny, Complaining, Criticism, Depression, Despair, Discouragement, Encouragement, Gratitude, Hope?, Leadership, Witness | Leave a comment

The history of envy

Posted on December 10, 2012 by

The history of envy begins with the ambition of angels, “I will make myself like the Most High,” and moves to the suspicion of Eden: “You will be like God…” (Isaiah 14:14; Genesis 3:1-6). Envy emerges in the first human family … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Complaining, Conceit, Depravity, Emotions, Envy and Jealousy, Evil in the world, Evil One, Hamartiology, Human depravity, Sin, Slandered, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Watch your tone

Posted on November 28, 2012 by

Some tones of voice are destructive to good relationships. 12 destructive tones Condescending Bossy Angry Snobby Frustrated Impatient Defensive Moody Distant Disrespectful Dark Whining One of the best ways to change our communication is to replace destructive tones with constructive … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Complaining, Conceit, Confession, Conflict, Contentment, Cynicism, Marriage, Narcissism, Parenting teens, Pride, Questioning God, Relationships, Speech | 3 Comments

Grouchy people sharing a gospel of grace?

Posted on November 22, 2012 by

“They’re hard to please and quick to complain.” This is what I was told about groups of Christians who frequent area restaurants. A director of a large conference ministry also told me that this was a common problem in his … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Attitude, Bitterness, Character, Christian life, Christian worldview, Christianity, Complaining, Contentment, Cynicism, God's Will, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Grace, Gratitude, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Wisdom | 1 Comment

Protecting the unity of the Church

Posted on October 24, 2012 by

Wouldn’t it be great if unity among Christians and in the Church was never threatened or disturbed? Of course, we know this isn’t reality for many reasons. A primary one is that when people receive God’s gift of salvation, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian life, Christianity, Church, Church growth, Church Leadership, Church membership, Community, Complaining, Conflict, Confrontation, Difficult people, Discernment, Emerging Leaders, Gospel-centered, Life of a pastor, Local Church, Love, Origin of Sin, Purity, Reconciliation, Relationships, Restoration, Unity, Walking with God, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Restoring Vital Optimism

Posted on July 17, 2012 by

According to historian John Keegan, in a particular battle during World War I, the British lost 70,000 troops and suffered an unthinkable number of wounded. With this loss, the British also lost a general mood of vital optimism that had … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance, Christian worldview, Complaining, Contentment, Counseling, Defeat?, Depression, Despair, Discouragement, Doubt, Encouragement, Gratitude, Hope?, Middle life, Pain, Recommended reading, Restoration, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Suffering, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Trials | 1 Comment

Looking for the Devil in the wrong places

Posted on May 1, 2012 by

  “Men don’t believe in a devil now, As their fathers used to do; They reject one creed because it’s old For another because it’s new. If the devil is voted not to be, Is the verdict, therefore, true? Someone is surely doing the work The … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Atheism, Bible, Bitterness, Christian worldview, Complaining, Conceit, Contentment, Deception, Devil, Discernment, Evil in the world, Evil One, Fear of death, Fear of God, Satan | 1 Comment

A Chief Repenter — in the making

Posted on March 3, 2012 by

I recently read an interview of a leader who stated that his job description included a requirement to be the Chief Repenter of the organization. I am about to take a stab at this by doing a little repenting of … Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, Attitude, Breaking bad habits, Change, Complaining, Counseling, Depression, Discouragement, Encouragement, Grace, Gratitude, Personal thoughts, Repentance, Restoration, Selfishness, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Misunderstanding the ways of God in this life

Posted on January 29, 2012 by

________ Some Christians are not experiencing spiritual growth because they have a bad attitude toward God. Life didn’t turn out as they desired. They feel as though God let them down. It’s possible that they have forgotten the truth that, “The Lord … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Blessed by God, Burnout, Christian life, Christian worldview, Complaining, Contentment, Despair, Discipline, Discouragement, Encouragement, Godly sorrow, Guidelines for living, Hope?, J. I. Packer, Joel Osteen, Mad at God, Mistreated, Proverbs, Punishment, Sovereignty, Spiritual Detox, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Study of God, Suffering, Trials, Victory, Walking with God, Will of God | 4 Comments