Category Archives: Identity

Challenge, Encouragement, Identity, In the news, Insecurity, Issues of the Day, Leadership, Marriage, Men, Postmarital, Singles, Training, Women

Maintaining Sexual Boundaries Within our Marriages and Ministries

It’s easy to cross a line today that should not be crossed, but has anyone ever sat you down and told you what some of those lines are? Most likely not. 

This blog is directed toward the male* leader who finds it confusing when complimented on his looks, clothes, his message or his ministry. Or who is responsible to provide counsel and input to such persons? How does one respond to such persons that offer compliments, especially if they are coming from an attractive woman? How can you not be drawn toward or read more into those words that are so flattering and meant specifically for you? 

(*Note: If you are a female pastoral leader to whom these principles will also apply, feel free to substitute the opposite gender references in this article.)

Let’s discuss some boundary lines that will provide wisdom and direction for you.

  1. Meeting alone with a woman in your office: I do not care how professional you think you are, no one is above being tempted by the evil one. Your heart and the heart of your counselee may be perfectly pure, but the enemy of your soul is fully impure. And for the other side of things… all she needs to do is leave your office and claim inappropriateness. You’ll fully understand the saying, “Guilty until proven innocent.” It can end your ministry. Require your female counselee to bring a friend, a female leader in her life or grab a coworker from your office (that she is comfortable with) to sit in with you.
  2. Do not ready yourself for that appointment. This means how you are dressed, how much cologne you wear, and what language you’ll use. All of these can be subtle messages.
  3. Touch means something. Do not hold her hand, stroke her arm or hug her to “comfort” her. Even teenage woman can be confused by your touch. Yes, people need touch and yes, they need hugs, but not in this environment of vulnerability. 
  4. Do not allow yourself to be cornered in a building or a room alone for a private conversation with the opposite sex. This too is dangerous for you and her. Make sure others are around and you both are visible. 
  5. Do not visit an opposite sex congregant alone. If visiting and you discover her husband or her roommate is not there, do not enter the threshold of that house.
  6. Do your best to not ride alone in a car with a woman who is not your wife or your relative.
  7. Watch your compliments. Compliments about hair, clothing, her recent diet and/or her appearance (especially her shape) in general should be refrained from. Compliments to a child or a senior can be appropriate.
  8. Do not fantasize or dream about woman who you have contact with. These imaginary contacts can actually prepare you for your next connection in a very unhealthy way. 
  9. When you are approached and complimented by that certain woman politely thank her and move on from the conversation. Do not probe further into why she is complimenting you or how she feels about you. When that compliment turns into something like, “Oh, pastor, you’re looking good today” or “Have you been working out lately?” laugh it off and change the subject as soon as you can. Do not acknowledge her compliment or agree with her. 
  10. If you find yourself attracted or see signs of attraction, move away from the situation spiritually, emotionally, and physically. As a leader, you are more than your feelings and thoughts; you are committed to righteousness. Maintain an accountability partner that you can confess to and pray with. Pursue integrity and a proper fear of God. 

Psalm 19:14 is your prayer. “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

You are complete in the Lord (Colossians 2:10) and do not need another opposite sex relationship in your life to bring security or esteem to you. 

You have a two-fold focus when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex: God and your wife (if married). The book of Proverbs reminds us to drink water from your own cistern (Proverbs 5:15). 

As we walk in the proper fear of God, we will only desire to obey Him and be faithful to our spouse. 

  • Proverbs 1:7:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

  • Proverbs 9:10:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

  • Proverbs 14:26:

“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.”


I’ve told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me. I’ll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don’t worry—he has nothing on me, no claim on me. But so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father’s instructions right down to the last detail. “Get up. Let’s go. It’s time to leave here. (John 14:30 The Message)

I love how in this passage Jesus was confident that the enemy “has nothing on me.” May the enemy of your soul have nothing on you as you determine to walk in integrity, high moral character, accountability, the fear of the Lord and eyes only for one woman–your wife!

(Thanks to Joe McKeever for inspiration on some of the thoughts above.)

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Challenge, Children, Encouragement, Identity, Issues of the Day, Parents, Training

Parents Who Protect Too Much

We’ve all read about how my generation (the boomers) left their home to play with friends after breakfast, returned home for a quick lunch (maybe) and then left again until the dinner bell, whistle or car horn was blowing. It was especially true of summer life. However today, and often rightly so, we’re warned about bad persons, dangerous places, deep ponds, getting lost and dirty environments. We want to protect our kids form hurt and harm and help them avoid accidents. But are we helping them or us as parents?

I was reading a report about this very thing in an article from the journal Science. Interestingly it stated kids who grow up with less sanitary conditions and sanitized environments, being exposed to plants, dirt, trees, creeks, animals and microbes grow up with far less allergies. In other words, “eat some dirt, it might be good for you.” Going too far?

Most professionals in your children’s lives will tell you that they love parental involvement but despise “helicopter parents” or parents who are so involved they are actually “protecting” their children from adapting to the world around them. 

The self-esteem movement began in the 1970’s and by the 1980’s we were giving trophies to the losers of the game. Last place in a race was being rewarded for fear of harming our child’s esteem. We said that everyone was a winner. While self-esteem and self-confidence matter, rewarding failure produces entitlement in our kids. There becomes no incentive in a reward for just showing up and children will naturally and quickly lose interest. 

Kids need consequences and kids need to learn to take responsibility for their actions. What happens to our children if they’re constantly rescued? One day in college (where the parents can’t intervene) they’ll find a professor that gives them the grade they deserve, a failing one. Later they’ll face a boss who doesn’t coddle them and tell them they are special, and they can do anything they want and succeed. Eventually they will start hearing the truth, so why not speak it now while your kids are in their formative years?

Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Both options are a chance to speak truth and love to our children so they can handle both situations appropriately. Stop overprotecting your kids; they need risk, failure, pain, work, and dirt to grow up into well-balanced, non-whining adults. 

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:14,15)

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Challenge, Encouragement, Healing, Identity, Issues of the Day, Marriage, Training

Trusting God for Vengeance or Justice?

Should we ever desire revenge? 

I can still vividly recall the counselee who confessed to me of being repeatedly molested by her father from childhood into adulthood. She was longing for answers, for freedom, for forgiveness to come and for hope. I can also remember how tense and tight (from anger) my body would become as she painfully shared her experience encompassing years of sexual abuse. And I, as well, remember her question of where was God?

Counselors are not to be the answer, but rather to help the counselee arrive at answers. However, as the counselor, I was fuming, struggling with what I felt her father deserved. But I wasn’t just having an emotional response; my emotions and my physical being, along with my spirit, were reacting to evil.

One thing I also remember from this time was that this precious woman did not seek God for revenge, but rather, justice. What’s the difference?

Revenge is pursued by a victim, but justice is provided by someone other than the victim. Revenge says that when I am hurt, I want to hurt back. Revenge is power over the offender. Justice is someone above the victim and the offender who takes the victim’s side and executes impartial righteousness. My counselee wasn’t asking that her father pay for his crimes against her, but rather, she was seeking justice from her heavenly Father. 

Christians are not to become professional victims. Christ brings far more justice and freedom than that. All His holiness reveals to us that His anger is just: “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4)

I share this story because I believe there are times that all of us desire revenge. We long for someone to pay. Truthfully Someone has and His name is Jesus. Please consider Romans 12:17 and 19 which says, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone…. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.’” 

Where was God? While we desire immediacy, God does not, but His justice will follow, and He will have the final word. 

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Challenge, Encouragement, Identity, Insecurity, Issues of the Day, Training

Intimidation

The dictionary says that intimidation is an act of forcing action by inducing fear. What intimidates you? Is it sickness, the fear of major loss, your boss, a teacher, a bully, or a neighbor?

The Bible does deal with this subject when it states, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (II Timothy 1:7) God has not given us a spirit of intimidation. In other words, intimidation is not from God.

I was in my teen years and hearing a military drill sergeant scream and yell profanities along with multiple threats in boot camp for the first of many times. I am not going to lie; it was intimidating, and it was purposefully meant to be. Fear was used as a weapon for personal change. We were leaving civilian life behind to enter into military life. 

In time, however, I discovered it was all a bit of a game. Intimidation was used excessively, but I can still recall the conversation that same drill sergeant had with us after successfully graduating from the torture of “becoming an airman.” He said, “Our training was all very calculated. We knew how far we could push you in order to create the soldier we were looking for.”

How far have you allowed the enemy of your soul to intimidate you? Has he said this sickness will kill you? Has he spoken that you’ll never reach your boss’s expectations? Has he used intimidation to keep you from fulfilling God’s purposes in your life? 

“Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.” (Phillipians 1:28 NLT) 

Our confidence and our outspoken boldness is through the power of God who is not and will not be intimated by anyone or anything. Keep your head up and walk in His truth!

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Challenge, Encouragement, Identity, Issues of the Day, Men, Parents, Singles, Training, Women

What Are You Devoted To?

Devotion is a positive attribute. It comes with commitment to something or someone. Being devoted means you are being loyal. 

We can be devoted to many things these days: a certain restaurant, a car company, a computer company, our children, and even ourselves. But can we be overly devoted? I mean, can we be giving misplaced devotion to something or someone that or who does not deserve our devotion? 

The short answer is yes – we can. Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  This scripture relates that our true devotion belongs more to God and others than things or ourselves.

Do you remember reading in the Old Testament about the soon-to-be king David, and the current King Saul? Saul was chasing David in order to kill him. Even as Saul showed total disregard for David, David showed honor and devotion to his king. Respecting others is easy when they respect us, but it sure can be difficult when we feel no respect. 

Do you have a “Saul” in your life? Someone who is treating you with disrespect or treating you unfairly? Become that person of integrity and devotion to the truth of God’s word found in Romans 12. As you treat others with honor and respect, God will honor you!

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Challenge, Encouragement, Identity, Issues of the Day, Marriage, Men, Women

Senior Regrets

Recently I read an article on what 90-year-olds regret the most. Their answers included:

  • Not cultivating closer family relationships, their children in particular.
  • Not putting their children on the right path.
  • Not taking more risks including sharing more of their feelings with others and not being more affectionate.
  • They also regretted not being better listeners, which included being more empathetic.
  • They regretted not spending more time with the persons they loved. 

When asked when in life they were happiest? Happiness was strongest in their late 20’s to early 40’s, when they were raising children and then, again, steadily increased after age 50. Their secret to happiness and living regret-free was to savor every second they could when spending time with those they loved. 

In other words, accomplish more? No, love more. 

My wife and I were recently spending time with some friends of ours who have five years of age on us. They shared, “We’re now counting all the losses in life. We’re the next generation to pass. We’re the oldest of our families. We’re experiencing or will experience multiple losses. We’ll face the loss of our driver’s license, perhaps our home, our health, losing our friends who are passing ahead of us, and possibly a decrease or loss in finance.” It was sobering to listen to and then to realize my wife and I face many of the same potential losses. 

There is an ongoing accumulation of losses. Psychologists call it “compounding loss.” We’re living longer but we can experience grief after grief in this stage of life. 

What to do?

Age gracefully: 

  1. Stay active and healthy – exercise, walk, talk and pray a lot, doing things that stimulate us. Colossians 4:2:

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” 

Prioritize your mental health; manage stress in your life. Receive personal input from your leaders. Ask questions and seek answers. Be positive about aging. Keep reading God’s word alongside encouraging books. 

Philippians 4:6-8:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

  • Embrace change – don’t get stuck, adapt accordingly. Change is here to stay, even at our age.
  • Be thankful – it will help our attitude. Constant complaining does not help anyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:18:

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

Colossians 3:15:

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” 

  • Stay in fellowship and keep company with believers who are also positive and thankful. Do not become disillusioned with Jesus’ church, He will not disappoint. Stay close to your biological family and the family of God.
  • Cultivate hobbies and interests.

Stay focused on the gains and not just the losses. What are some of the gains?

  1. Wisdom
  2. Influence
  3. Truth–filled experience
  4. Time – more available
  5. Love
  6. Being able to look beyond faults and seeing potential
  7. Grandparenting and great grandparenting
  8. Forgiveness and keeping disappointments at bay
  9. We’re older than most of the professionals in our lives. We can use this to our advantage – dentist, doctor
  10.  Prayer times
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Challenge, Encouragement, Identity, Insecurity, Issues of the Day, Leadership, Training

Critics, We All Have Them

Writing anything and then publishing or posting online places you in a position for targeted criticism. What you write will most likely be helpful for many (if that’s your aim), but there are those who were born to be your personal critic. 

I wrote an article on pre- and postmarital counseling for a national magazine once and the following month the only letters to the editor they printed about my article were negative ones. I asked the editor of the magazine if there were any positive or affirming letters about the article and they replied, “Oh yeah, but that doesn’t sell magazines.” Thanks!

Write anything on social media and you’ll have the critic police letting you know everything you said was incorrect and you should be stopped immediately. Never mind that they are under the delusional thought they’re always right and their opinion is the only one that counts. 

It’s disheartening to work so hard on something, to be assured that your facts are straight and noted and that you incorporated multiple pre-readers only to have someone tear it all to pieces. 

And reviews? Forget about it! Having books listed on Amazon opens you to all kinds of inaccurate cruelty. I once received a one-star rating on a book because they looked at one appendix and then judged the whole book on why you shouldn’t buy it based on that information only. And there is no chance of fighting with Amazon about misleading reviews. Seems they love the controversy as well. 

Jesus was criticized once for healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. They said He was “working” on the Sabbath. No matter what you do you’ll find critics. Even if you change something to suit them, they will find something else to criticize. 

I have some good news for you. You do not need their approval. You are not required to change for your critics. Can there be some truth in what they say? Yes, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are not your cheerleaders. Keep your focus on what God has called you to and work as unto Him.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Everyone has a right to their opinion, and you have the right to either listen to it or not.

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Challenge, Encouragement, Healing, Identity, Issues of the Day, Men, Parents, Singles, Small Groups, Training, Women

Shame: A Tool of God or the Enemy?

Many of us, if not all of us, are well acquainted with the emotional upheaval of shame. Since almost the beginning of our existence on earth, shame has been present. 

Does shame serve a purpose? Is there a biblical or spiritual reason for shame? Is shame always considered something bad? Can shame motivate us? Should Christians ever accept feelings of shame?

Where it all began

God created a perfect world and placed mankind into a perfect garden – His garden. With the fall of man, came what is known today as the emotion of shame. The Lord God called to Adam and asked him where he was. God couldn’t find him? Not so. God could not find the Adam that previously faced Him without shame and fear. 

“He [Adam] answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid. And he [God] said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” (Genesis 3:10-11)

Fear and shame of Adam’s nakedness filled his heart, and the separation from his Maker began. Then, in response to the shame they felt, what does God do for Adam and Eve? By verse 21, God was handcrafting garments for Adam and Eve. Why? To cover their nakedness and to remove shame.

Just what is shame?

Because we as humankind are so full of pride when we fail or we sin, our pride creates a desire to hide just as Adam did. We failed and we don’t know how to deal with the feelings we feel. As God’s creation who desired to be like God, we fail to live up to our own expectations, the expectations of others, and/or what we feel God expects. And that is enough to bring about feelings of shame and disappointment. 

Shame creates false thinking like: I am a bad person because of my failure. I will never be good enough. I deserve to feel bad because I constantly come up short. I am worthless. I’ve been such a fool. Shame is something we place upon ourselves when we have thoughts like these.

I dealt with shame

As a child growing up in the 1950’s and 1960’s, parents often used shame as a means of attempting to correct wrong behavior. They thought they could shame us into better or more appropriate responses. They did this through words like, “You should be ashamed of yourself, acting like that.” Or we often heard this one, “What are you, stupid?” And then there was this one, “How could you be so dumb?” Shame-filled words do not administer correction, they create a defeated self-concept of oneself that can eventually lead to a very low esteem or even self-punishment.

Our Lord does bring discipline and correction to us, but He does it in a life-giving, loving way. His goal is not to crush our spirit with the use of shame, but to correct in a spirit of hope and encouragement to change our beliefs, thoughts and actions. 

Why then do Christians struggle with shame?

For many of us who have trusted in Jesus for our salvation, shame can still plague us. The enemy of our soul wants to remind us of our past deeds, sins, mistakes and then bring back the familiar feelings of shame. Often there are voices and scenes stuck in our heads with old video messages of shame-filled words that multiple people spoke over us. We often give in to those false messages and we allow these persons and their voices to have power over us.

It’s interesting that we are told in the scriptures our heavenly Father does not hold shame or sin over us. Why? Because it is not a motivator for becoming shame-free. In fact, God’s word says, “Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.” (Isaiah 61:7) Instead of shame…everlasting joy.

Also, through divine inspiration, the prophet Isaiah wrote these power-filled words: “Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of your widowhood.” (54:4)

As Christians, we can still struggle with shame because we do not realize the price that our Savior paid for that shame. How can I be so confident of that? Listen to what Paul wrote to the Roman church, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11) The more we believe God’s word (His promises and not the tapes in our head from our former misbeliefs), the more truth that we store in our spirit, and the more faith and hope we have in the penalty Jesus paid. Consequently, the freer we become of shame.

Again, Peter harmonizes with Paul and writes, “For in Scripture it says: ‘See I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’” (I Peter 2:6)

Stop hiding

Adam and Eve hid, and we’ve been hiding from God ever since. There is only one place that we are called to hide, only one place where we can rid ourselves of shame, and only one place where there is no longer any fear that leads to shame: “…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus was led like a sheep to the slaughter, arrested, mocked, spit on, beaten, insulted, given a crown of thorns – all a picture that was full of shame and humiliation. Jesus chose to obey His Father as He bore our shame and our guilt through a torturous and agonizing death.

There is no other place to go for freedom, for atonement, and for cleansing of our shame. Shame always says we’re guilty, but from the cross Jesus said that guilt and shame were paid for. He died for shame-filled sexual sin, theft, out of control anger, abuse, and anything else you can name from your life. When we repent of our sin and receive Him as our Savior, He pronounces over us that the penalty for our sin, the guilt, the shame, the menicing weakness we feel is covered by His blood and sacrifice on the cross. And from that cross He says, “Shame off of you!”

Jesus is the only one that we can trust to deal with our shame. He helps us to flee from the sin-filled choices we once made and lifestyles we once lived. In desiring to please Him, we can turn over those old video files and request that they be erased – permanently. We no longer need to feel ashamed.

“In you oh Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in your righteousness.” (Psalm 31:1)

“In you, Lord, I have refuge; let me never be put to shame.” (Psalm 71:1)

“I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame,  nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.” (Psalm 25:2,3)

Choose a life of joy, free of condemnation

As we confess our sin, our fear, and our shame, believe God to release you of those burdens. Forgive those persons who spoke words of shame over you. Often those persons spoke out of their own shame-filled souls. Make use of the scriptures in this article to counteract the lies and the misbeliefs of your past. Remember that it is not what others think of you, it’s what your heavenly Father thinks of you and what Christ has done for you on the cross. Finally, live out the truth of this verse, “There is, therefore, now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

“Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.”(Psalm 34:5)

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Challenge, Encouragement, Identity, Issues of the Day

No One a Stranger Part II

I encountered some excellent feedback from last week’s blog about my random expressions to total strangers or happenstance meetings. Someone wrote and asked me for questions to take the conversation deeper once you establish a brief connection with someone. I loved the question and thought it worthy of a part two to last week’s blog. So, here goes, an attempt at taking the initial connection you might encounter with a random stranger a step or two deeper with a follow-up probing question. I have discovered most persons do enjoy talking about themselves. Why not take advantage of that fact?

Try several of these questions to see what might work best for you:

  • What do you do? What caused you to seek that profession?
  • Tell me about your family.
  • What has been the biggest lesson that you have learned so far in life?
  • What makes you, you?
  • What feeling do you love to feel?
  • Tell me about your creative side.
  • What do you do for fun?
  • Tell me about your thoughts of a personal relationship with God.
  • What are your thoughts on eternal life?
  • What was your favorite vacation and why?
  • Where should someone find their identity?
  • Where do you find your identity? 
  • Does God talk to you or how do you hear the voice of God?
  • What are you trying to prove to the world around you?
  • What is the best decision you have ever made and why?

People pay counselors $150.00 for a fifty-minute session and feel tremendous relief thereafter. Why? Someone listened to them. Listening makes others feel important and asking questions and listening reveals you care about hearing what they have to say. Schools teach public speaking courses frequently, but when is the last time you noticed a “public listening” course offered? I don’t think that course exists.  

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Challenge, History, Identity, Issues of the Day, Men

King of the Mountain

Did you ever play king of the mountain when you were a kid? It was especially fun on a mountain of snow. The idea is that someone, the king, is placed on top of the mound of dirt or snow and then all the other kids attempt to take him down and become king themselves. 

Not too long ago, there was a U.S. boxer that was king of the mountain for years. No one could defeat him. Eventually the ex-champ suffered far too many blows to his head. Before he passed he simply shuffled everywhere he walked while shaking profusely. Gone were the raised fist pumps, sculpted body and braggadocios attitude. 

During an interview with a reporter, he was quoted as saying, “I had the world, and it wasn’t nothin’. Look now.” This fighter did have the world along with the world’s attention. 

His name? Muhammad Ali. Ali won the world heavyweight championship three times. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine more times than any other athlete. 

Many years ago, I visited his training camp property that was for sale at the time. It was run down. Painted on the many rocks around the property were Ali’s famous sayings like, “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.” He would often refer to himself as “The greatest.” Walking the property, I could just picture Muhammad in training sweats running around reading the words on those rocks and easily believing them.

When we push, claw and crawl our way to the top, everyone is eventually toppled; it’s an uncertain victory. Someone will ultimately make their way to the top where we are and be successful at throwing us back down the mountain. So be careful about displaying all those trophies and hanging all those ribbons. There’s so much to learn from Ali and many others stories like his who were once on top of the mountain. 

There was a King who left heaven, not to be king of the mountain, but rather to be a servant who suffered upon a cross on a hill named Golgotha. “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

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