Hogg’s Pearls of Wisdom for May, 2018
Passing on to you the pearls of wisdom gleaned from what I read, watch and listen to each month. If a particular pearl appeals to you, click the link and enjoy. Like God’s Word says: “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise” (Proverbs 19:20 NIV). I pray these pearls help each of us to be counted among the wise and live a more beautiful life.
“4 Questions for Planning Your Development” Eric Geiger. Since we are an integrated person, we need to examine our whole life when we want to grow and develop as a person, a Christ-follower, and a leader? A tall task! Eric Geiger provides a simple framework with four questions we can ask ourselves as a way to examine our mental, physical, spiritual, and relational health. Link: https://www.lifeway.com/pastors/2018/03/09/4-questions-planning-development/
“What’s Your Face?” Patrick Lencioni. We know that our facial expressions tend show how we feel. What we don’t always recognize is that in moments of strong frustration or a negative emotion, our expressions often are exaggerated and show even more than we feel. People will react to what they see on our face and the results can be damaged relationships and lost trust. Lencioni describes how to identify your “face” and limit its damage. Link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/whats-your-face-patrick-lencioni/?published=t
“4 Myths about Responding to Spousal Abuse” Bruce Ashford, J. D. Greear, and Brad Hambrick
Written primarily for Pastors, this article will help anyone who has a conversation with a woman living in an abusive relationship. Unfortunately abuse is more common than most people realize. Our good intentions may lead us to give bad advice or do the wrong thing. Link: https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2018/may-web-exclusives/4-myths-about-responding-to-spousal-abuse.html
“How to Develop a Safety Plan for Domestic Violence” Brad Hambrick. A very practical article with specific recommendations for how to leave an abusive relationship. A woman in an abusive situation or someone helping someone who is being abused will benefit from reading this article. Link: http://www.bradhambrick.com/safetyplan/
“80% of Americans Believe in God. Pew Found Out What They Mean” Kate Shellnutt. This PEW Research Project reveals that what Americans believe about God varies a lot. We can no longer assume that our neighbors and coworkers believe in the God of the Bible, if they believe in God at all. This article summarizes the findings of this survey and will help you understand the changing perspectives of Americans. https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/april/we-believe-in-god-what-americans-mean-pew-survey.html
“A Christian Declaration on American Foreign Policy” Editors of Providencemag.com. What is America’s role in the world? This scholarly article seeks to articulate a Biblical understanding of government’s role in the world and proper use of power. With great power comes great responsibility and God does hold us accountable for how and when we exercise that power – or fail to do so. Abuse or neglect usually occur when the government functions from a perspective that is extreme, in any direction. A balanced approach is difficult, but necessary. To varying degrees, this balanced approach is under attack today from progressive socialism, conservative nationalism, and radical Islam. Please note that when the authors use the term “liberal world order” they are not referring to liberalism as we currently understand the term in American politics. It is a long used expression for the belief that the world is safest when there is greater individual freedom, democratic forms of government, free-market capitalism, private enterprise, constitutional government with divided powers, free trade internationally, respect for national borders and sovereignty, among other things. In this day when extremes dominate most conversations, this article is timely. Link: https://providencemag.com/2016/09/christian-declaration-american-foreign-policy/
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