The goals we strive towards define us. They direct our days and focus our efforts. No success is possible without goals because as many authors have said, “If you aim for nothing you are sure to hit it.” While we understand how influential goals are, it is should be realized that most goals neutral: the same goal can be worthwhile for one and worthless for another. Goal we set may have no value or significance to another. For example, I have a friend whose chief goal is to make a fortune. Since the accumulation of wealth drives him, regardless of how you or I feel about it, his goal is useful and because it motivates him to action. In this way the goal is worthwhile. For others wealth has never been a motivator. Being satisfied with enough to eat, a place to sleep and some left over for a bit of fun, this goal would be worthless. These people will need other goals to act upon and strive towards. Perhaps it would be fame or even altruism. Whatever motivates a person to action is their goal and the goal is for them worthwhile. This does not make all goals equal, nor does it make them all good. It merely says the individual has determined the goal worth the effort to accomplish it. Read the rest of this entry »

This morning as I was preparing a new post I checked my email and found a wonderful thought from a freind of mine. Rather than writing something else, I decided to share this email with you. I hope you enjoy it and thanks to Tom for sharing it with me. Read the rest of this entry »

Recently you can’t turn on the news without hearing that a new study shows that abstinence pledges don’t work. The conclusion by those reporting these findings is that abstinence only courses should be done away with and that emphasis should be placed on safe sex practices. It is what the studies don’t tell you that is key to understanding the issue. Read the rest of this entry »

Political buzzwords do not draw us closer to God. We are responsible to understand and apply the scriptures. Being equipped in this way allows us to see the truth through the fog of ideas. The latest thing to come down the pike is not necessarily what God would have his people to focus on. Read the rest of this entry »

It is natural, when racked by trouble, to lose sight of all else and focus on problems. We get the idea our current trouble is the worst every experienced and see no way through; despair blinds us to all else. In Job 10:18 we see Job ask: “Why then did you bring me out of the womb? I wish I had died before any eyes saw me.” Like him, we can lose site of past joys and become convinced we will never feel joy again. Read the rest of this entry »

For those of you familiar with the old John3Thirty site I hope you enjoy the new interface and format. Over the last few months, I have done some soul searching for what God would have me do with this site? Over the last 18 years of my life studying and teaching the Bible, my calling from day-one was to dispel the concept of laity. By laity I mean those in the church taught to sit back while the clergy take charge of ministry. Most feel little responsibility to study the Word and reach the world, so long as they put enough in the plate to pay the pastor to do these things. Read the rest of this entry »