thoughts by Bill Strom Archives - Page 4 of 4

Published May 17, 2015

I-Dolatry

“… and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:16

I struggle with pride.

It began in middle school when I realized I could do several things quite well. I was one of the better wrestlers, runners, and trumpet players. In university I earned grades that were better than most. As I continued to pursue education I became one of few from my high school peers who earned a master degree. When I earned a doctorate I represented a tiny minority.

Pride is contextual though. Among my professor colleagues at my university I feel average in accomplishments and brain power. Many co-workers publish more, teach better, and administer with superior grace and wisdom. But among my other friends away from campus I have to check myself against thinking I know more or am wiser or smarter.

An acquaintance today reminded me that Satan loves doling out beautiful lies such as, “You really are amazing,” “Your ideas are no doubt better!”, and “Aren’t these people lucky to have you as their friend?” It is easy to cave to these succulent morsels that feed my ego!

And then John pulls the plug on my smugness: the pride of life is not from God but is of this broken world.

I realize that being talented or smart or gifted is not wrong. In fact, being the best at something is good, even excellent. However striving to be number one can lead to idolatry (for it puts our status above love of God), or once on top we can gloat over people below.

Does pride get the best of you? How might you give your gifts and accomplishments to God?

Dear God, thank you for creating me wonderfully. Help me see my skills as from you, and to not buy in to self-promotion. Help me see me how you see me. Amen.

Take Action

Drop the ‘I‘ today. In your interactions, focus on the person you’re talking to. Ask them what they think or feel, instead of jumping to share your opinions.

By Dr. Bill Strom

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Thoughts by All thoughts by Bill Strom Thoughts by Men

Published November 25, 2014

Created, Lost, and Bought

“You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.”
1 Corinthian 7: 23

The story is told of a young boy taken with model ship building and the sailing of his boats on the lake outside of town. After saving up quite a large sum from mowing lawns and walking dogs, he purchased a replica of the Bluenose, the famed Nova Scotian racing schooner. After months of cutting, gluing and painting, he completed the project and began sailing it for his own pleasure and those who stopped to watch.

One day turned especially windy and his remote control radio malfunctioned, and despite every effort to turn the small ship, he watched his Bluenose float far off shore. It was lost.

Several weeks later he was overjoyed to see in the window of a hobby store his boat, for sale. He spoke with the owner, explaining that this was his boat. The businessman understood, but held his ground: “If you want it back, you’ll have to buy it. Twenty bucks.”

The youngster’s love and pain led him to toil again, and before long, he had enough. Upon buying the boat, he walked from the store and said, “Once I created you, and you were mine. Now I have bought you, so you are doubly mine.”

Somewhere after God created people, we got lost. Whether by our choices, or circumstances beyond our control, we drifted from God. How good that he longed for our return, however damaged we became. How wonderful that he paid a price in Jesus’ sacrifice to show his love and make us doubly his.

God, I have to admit that I’ve drifted. Sometimes it has been just from coasting and not caring about relating with you. Other times I have made bad choices that have put space between us. Thank you for wanting me back, and paying the price to buy me back. Thank you for your sacrificial love to own me again. Amen.

Thought: If you feel like you are drifting, ask someone you trust how you can enjoy God’s colossal love again, or for the first time.
http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/4laws/law0.html

By Bill Strom

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2014/11/25/bs_created-lost-and-bought/

Thoughts by All thoughts by Bill Strom Thoughts by Men

Published June 26, 2014

If Hockey Banned Fighting

“If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.” Luke 6:29

It’s the playoffs, and during them hockey players hold to the unspoken rule that giving hard hits is fine, but one ought to avoid outright fights. This agreement makes for fast-skating, hard-hitting hockey without the tough-man antics of dropping the gloves for a mid-ice brawl. Most would say it makes better hockey.

I know it might be a stretch, but what if we banned fighting in hockey during the regular season? Would we get better hockey? Probably so. Or what if we dropped fighting from politics and international relations and neighborhood issues. Or bring it closer to home. What if we quit fighting at our workplace and home space, in our relating to colleagues, friends, and family?

Jesus said as much. In Luke he says if someone picks a fight with us, we shouldn’t retaliate. “Turn the other cheek” the saying goes, and even more. “If he takes your coat, give him your shirt too.”

In The Upside Down Kingdom, Donald Kraybill writes, ”A blow on the right cheek had special significance in Jewish culture. It symbolized ultimate contempt. Its punishment was a fine equivalent to a year’s wages. In other words, Jesus forbids his disciples to retaliate even in the face of the most abusive insult.” (p. 196)

I am all for “fighting the good fight” if it means living the faith to the fullest, but I am not going to take that phrase literally. By turning the other cheek I hope to squelch violence and help the offender realize their wrong.

God, it’s so easy to fight back in conflict situations. Help me see that you called us to love everyone, even our enemies. May I seek peaceful ways to reconcile differences, and in doing so fight faithfully for what is right and good. Amen.

Take Action: The next time you are in a conflict situation, look for ways to defuse the situation through apology, listening, or walking away

By Dr. Bill Strom

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2014/06/26/bs_if-hockey-banned-fighting/

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