Category Archives: Selfishness

Always leading us back to grace

Posted on May 20, 2013 by

This morning, I was thinking about how easily our hearts drift into efforts to justify ourselves in comparison with others. In some sad and deeply deceptive way, we feel better when we think we are better than others.  Although we … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian life, Christianity, Contentment, Death of Christ, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Grace, Gratitude, Humility, Justification, Pharisees, Pride, Salvation, Schadenfreude, Self esteem, Self love, Selfishness, Spiritual transformation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

People who want to feel important

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

“Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don’t mean to do harm, but the harm does not interest them … or they do not see it, or they … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Life of a pastor, Narcissism, Self esteem, Self love, Self-deception, Selfishness, Servanthood | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A closer look at love

Posted on May 1, 2013 by

Relationships are miserable when love is absent. But is there an objective way to identify true love?  Love defined The fourteen qualities of love in First Corinthians thirteen offer the best available description of love known to humans. This text remains one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Broken Relationships, Choosing a mate, Counseling, Dating, Divorce, Divorce and Remarriage, Engagement, Ethics, Guidelines for living, Guidelines for marriage decision, I Corinthians 13, Love, Love Wins, Marital Separation, Marriage, Radical love, Relationships, Selfishness, Should I get married?, True Christianity? | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The center of attention

Posted on March 25, 2013 by

  Do you know anyone who is always trying to be the center of attention? This is a person with an excessive interest in being the main focus of a group of people. She is the kind of girl who … Continue reading →

Posted in Counseling, Humility, Pride, Selfishness, Wisdom | Leave a comment

A connection you must make

Posted on March 10, 2013 by

  Have you ever made the connection between Romans 12:2 and 12:3? It’s somewhat unexpected but absolutely essential to spiritual transformation. Notice the connection: v. 2 - “be transformed by the renewing of your mind (way of thinking)” v. 3 - “Do not think of yourself more … Continue reading →

Posted in Mind, Mind Renewal, Self esteem, Self love, Self-deception, Selfishness, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation | Leave a comment

Can you love without getting hurt?

Posted on October 7, 2012 by

A Scottish rock band from the 70’s connected with a lot of people with these words: “Love hurts, love scars, Love wounds, and marks, Any heart, not tough, Or strong, enough To take a lot of pain, Take a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, Broken Relationships, Choosing a mate, Communication, Dating, Discernment, Divorce, Divorce and Remarriage, God, God's Heart, Loss, Love, Marital Separation, Marriage, Selfishness, Single's ministry, Singles | 1 Comment

The dignity and worth of human beings

Posted on October 1, 2012 by

Viktor Frankl endured three years of anguish in the Auschwitz concentration camp. After his rescue, he became a professor of Psychiatry and Neurology in the University of Vienna. Frankl recounted his horrific experiences and some lessons to be learned in his book, … Continue reading →

Posted in Annihilation, Anthropology, Apologetics, Atheism, Call to ministry, Christian worldview, Christianity, Common grace, Culture, Depravity, Despair, Evil in the world, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Hamartiology, Holistic ministry, Human depravity, Human dignity, Humanism, Identity, Imago Dei, Main problem, Meaning of life, Nihilism, Origin of Sin, Philosophy, Postmodern, Problem of evil, Progressive?, Self esteem, Self love, Self-deception, Selfishness, Sin, Social work, Theology, Wisdom, Worldview | Leave a comment

Unlocking the enigma of existence

Posted on September 30, 2012 by

Telling the story of humanity requires contrasting terms. It includes a narratives of goodness and evil; love and hate; beauty and cruelty;  life and death. Themes of human dignity and human depravity are relentlessly recurrent in all cultures – at … Continue reading →

Posted in Afterlife, All religions the same?, Anthropology, Atheism, Atheists, Bible, Bible from God, Bibliology, Birth of Jesus, Christian worldview, Christianity, Common grace, Conflict, Culture, Culture of Honor, Death, Death of Christ, Depravity, Evil in the world, Fear of death, Final judgment, Forgiveness, Hamartiology, History, Hope?, Human depravity, Human dignity, Humanism, Jesus Christ, Meaning of life, Morality, Narrative, Origin of Bible, Origin of Sin, Philosophy, Problem of evil, Progressive?, purpose, Restoration, Salvation, Selfishness, Sin, Suffering, Theodicy, Worldview, Worship | Leave a comment

The grand reversal of every religion

Posted on August 23, 2012 by

As a hush came over the crowd, Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount. They awaited his words with great expectation and intrigue. Yet who would have expected his first words to be a pronouncement of blessing on the poor … Continue reading →

Posted in Afraid to die, Afterlife, All religions the same?, Assurance, Atheism, Atheists, Beatitudes, Blaming religion, Blessed are those who mourn, Christian life, Christian worldview, Christianity, Church growth, Comfort, Culture, Depravity, Despair, Discouragement, Emotions, Fear of death, Forgiveness, Freedom, God's Heart, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Grace, Heaven, Human depravity, Jesus Christ, Kingdom, Loss, Poor in spirit, Religion, Religion-not the answer, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Selfishness, Sermon on the Mount, Spiritual growth, Spiritual transformation, Suffering, True Christianity? | Leave a comment

Is it wrong to be proud?

Posted on August 4, 2012 by

 It might surprise people today to know that pride comes first in the longstanding list of seven deadly sins. In Scripture, “a proud look” or “haughty eyes” also tops the list of seven things God hates (Proverbs 6:16-17). Yet most people … Continue reading →

Posted in Antagonists, Attitude, Beatitudes, Blessed by God, Character, Christianity, Church Leadership, Conceit, Counseling, Deception, Depravity, Depression, Elders, Emerging Leaders, Ethics, Freedom, Greatness, Humility, Joy, Kingdom, Leadership, Origin of Sin, Poor in spirit, Pride, Satan, Seeking God, Self esteem, Self love, Self-deception, Selfishness, Sin, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Submission | 5 Comments