A recent column in the New York Times gets many things right, and at least one thing very wrong. In “The ‘Busy’ Trap,” cartoonist and writer Tim Kreider laments our tendency to lament our constant busyness. He begins: If you live in America in the 21st century you’ve probably had to listen to a lot of people tell you how busy they are. It’s become the default response when you ask anyone how they’re doing: “Busy!” “So busy.” “Crazy busy.”... Read more
A Reflection for the Fourth of July: One of the Most Common Disobeyed Verses in the Bible? I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 1 Timothy 2:2 is one of the most regularly disobeyed... Read more
Matt Ritchel, technology reporter for the New York Times, recently authored a column entitled: “Vacation Sabotage: Don’t Let It Happen to You.” After interviewing brain scientists, behavioral scientists, and business executives, Ritchel outlined several things we can do (and not do) to avoid crippling our vacations and diluting their positive impact on our lives. Here are his main points: Start Now Your brain will not be able to slow down instantaneously. So start now to take intentional moments of non-working... Read more
I thought I’d share a few photos of some recent animal adventures at Laity Lodge, in the Hill Country of Texas. Read more
Lord, Have Mercy Psalm 142:1-7 I cry out to the LORD; I plead for the LORD’s mercy. Psalm 142:1 When I think of the phrase “Lord, have mercy!” I picture somebody’s grandmother remarking on a situation that is both desperate and humorous. Perhaps she has just heard that her grandson got his driver’s license: “Lord, have mercy!” means “Oh, my! Help him! Help me! Help us all!” Ironically, the phrase “Lord, have mercy!” has now made its entrance into pop... Read more
My colleagues at The High Calling have just produced a new video on work. It’s called “Share the Wealth,” and is well worth one minute of your time if you are a boss, or if you every hope to become one. Read more
Part 3 of series: Code of Ethics for Pastors: A Commentary This is my third blog post focusing on the new Code of Ethics for Pastors. This Code has five main sections: Pursue Integrity Be Trustworthy Seek Purity Embrace Accountability Facilitate Fairness. Under each category, there are several statements of clarification or application. Today, I want to comment on the first section: Pursue Integrity I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these... Read more
Part 2 of series: Code of Ethics for Pastors: A Commentary Last Friday, I began to comment on a new Code of Ethics for Pastors, published by the National Association of Evangelicals. Today, I want to continue my commentary by asking: Do we really need a Code of Ethics for Pastors? “No,” say several of those who commented on my post or in emails. “We simply need pastors to honor to biblical teachings on how Christians, including leaders, ought to... Read more
In A.D. 70, the Romans conquered Jerusalem. They slaughtered the residents and torched the city. Before they destroyed the sacred Jewish temple, they looted it, taking its sacred implements back to Rome. One of the pieces they removed was a golden menorah that had given light to the inner sanctuary of the temple. Not ones to be shy about their victories, in A.D. 82 the Romans celebrated the sacking of Jerusalem by building the Arch of Titus in the Roman... Read more
Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips. Psalm 140:3 At 3:42 p.m. on December 22, 2003, I put up my first blog post ever. It was a short review of the popular novel The Da Vinci Code, with the title “The Da Vinci Code Is Truly Fictional.” Since that time, eight and a half years ago, I have written over 2,500 blog posts, adding up to more than 1,500,000 words. I have... Read more
Mark D. Roberts
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