"We are quick enough to feel and brood over the things we suffer from others, but we think nothing of how much others suffer from us. If a man would weigh his own deeds fully and rightly, he would find little cause to pass severe judgment on others. " -
THE IMITATION

OF CHRI ST
BY THOMAS À KEMPIS 

Rewards of a life of integrity

(From today's chapel led by Chuck Swindoll on the life of Howard Hendricks.)

-Sustained cultivation of explemplary Christlike character. You become the message.

-Continued relief of a clear conscience.

-The personal fulfillment of intimacy with the Almighty.
Two great moments in life.The day we were born, and the day we realize why.

-Priceless inheritance of a lingering legacy

-Rare privelage of being a mentor

-The crowning reward of finishing well

How will you imagine your life when you are old and looking back?

My wife, my "ezer"

I read this today and thought of just how much I appreciate and love my wife, my ezer.

The Hebrew word for “helper” is ezer, a word used several times in the Old Testament to describe God as the deliverer of His people. The old folks at church would say it like this: “He made a way out of no way.” An ezer is someone who can do for you that which you simply cannot do for yourself. An ezer is a rescuer and a fighter. It is a powerful definition, and only once is it used to describe a human being--Eve. What a different connotation this has for the marriage relationship. This powerful woman can not only make your dinner and satisfy you in bed, but she is warring for you in Jesus’ name, and encouraging you to be all that God wants you to be. (read full article by Sharifa Stevens here )

Pastoral Stress Quiz

A friend of mine went to a workshop lead by Dale Hudson (@dalehudsoncm). The title, "Leadership That Lasts: How to go The Distance in Children's Ministry". He opened with a quiz that was very startling and made me think about the journey that lies ahead, the dangers, and my family.
1. How many Pastors leave the minsitry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches?
     a) 1,500
     b) 500
     c) 1,200
     d) 900

2. What percentage of pastors' marriages end in divorce?
     a) 10%
     b) 30%
     c) 25%
     d) 50%

3. What percentage of pastors feel unqualified and discouraged in their role?
     a) 38%
     b) 84%
     c) 76%
     d) 41%

4. What percentage of pastor's spouses feel unqualified and discouraged in their role?
     a) 65%
     b) 55%
     c) 80%
     d) 25%

5. What percentage of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living?
     a) 75%
     b) 50%
     c) 35%
     d) 15%

6. What percentage of seminary and Bible school graduates who ener the minstyr will leave the ministry within the first five years?
     a) 13%
     b) 80%
     c) 21%
     d) 40%

7. What percentage of pastors polled said they have had an extra-marital affair?
     a) 5%
     b) 20%
     c) 40%
     d) 14%

8. What percentage of pastors' spouses feel their spouse is overworked?
     a) 80%
     b) 100%
     c) 75%
     d) 57%

9. What percentage of pastors' wives wish their spouse would choosse another profession?
     a) 28%
     b) 90%
     c) 80%
     d) 43%

Answers: 1-a, 2-d, 3-b, 4-c, 5-b, 6-b, 7-c, 8-a, 9-c.

When I Don’t Feel Love for My Spouse – The Gospel Coalition Blog

7 Surprising (and Negative) Effects of Porn

7 Surprising (and Negative) Effects of Porn

Attitude

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company . . . a church . . . a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past . . . we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude . . . I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you . . . we are in charge of our attitudes." -Charles Swindoll