writings from Nathan Wesley Smith
The concept of arrogance seems clear enough. If someone is ‘full of themselves’ or ‘uber self-focused’ then they are arrogant, right? I’m certainly not suggesting that blatant arrogance is anything other than… blatant arrogance. However, I have been extremely stirred lately on the topic of humility and the different forms humility takes. While I certainly think pride is a vicious …
You often see the verse ‘I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength’ (Phil 4:13) on motivational posters with the mountain tops peaking through the clouds. It is often used as the ultimate verse for ‘you got this, and God will help you do it.’ I remember Evander Holyfield having that verse on his robe as he …
How well do you respond to situations in life? Many of us have a strong sense of responsibility depending on our upbringing and life circumstances. Even for those that may be a little more ‘loosy-goosey’ there is an understanding that certain situations demand action more than others, even if simply out of a sense of duty. However, beyond our sense …
Christmas time can be a season of unreal, unmet expectations. If we’re not careful the joy of the season can be robbed by the pressure and disappointment of expecting one thing and receiving another. Since Christmas is to be the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ, I have often wondered if it was like that for Mary, …
Maintenance. Maintenance Mode. Maintenance Man. Maintaining the ‘status quo’. There is simply zero inspiration exuding from the idea of maintaining. No one wants to simply maintain their current income; they want a raise. No one wants to wake up Christmas morning and hear ‘this year we get the joy of just keeping everything we already have! Nothing new for you …
Though most Christians pay zero attention to the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah, you may be surprised to know the only time the holiday is mentioned in the Bible is in the NEW Testament book of John and Jesus is present! Perhaps you’ve wondered if Hanukkah is some sort of Jewish Christmas (it’s not) or, at very least, how do you spell …