Tag: Focus

Advent Reflections: Colossians 3:1-4

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“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

I read an article the other day that talked about how college students can’t read like they used to be able to read. I don’t mean they can’t read at all. I mean they can’t stay focused enough to read long passages or books anymore. The author blamed a combination of our digital age and shifting emphases in education for the deficit. Whatever the reason, we can’t stay focused like we used to anymore. This is not a neutral phenomenon either. It is a formational one. How can we combat the impact of our distractible age especially in this season when life can feel extra distracting? Paul offers some helpful insights here. Let’s talk about them.

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Advent Reflections: Matthew 2:1-2

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“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.’” (CSB – Read the chapter)

Starting with today, I think we have something on the calendar just about every single day for the next three weeks. That seems to happen every year at this time. Winter sports begin and every group wants to have a holiday gathering and there are extra church activities and there’s extra shopping to be done and decorating the house and all of that sits on top the regular events and meetings that don’t stop simply because there’s extra stuff going on. All of this busyness can easily overwhelm us and leave us completely unprepared for the actual celebration that lies ahead of us. Rather than getting excited for the season, we just want it to be over. How do we keep that from happening? As we begin our Advent journey today, let’s talk about keeping our focus where it most needs to be.

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Morning Musing: Mark 1:36-38

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“Simon and his companions searched for him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ And he said to them, ‘Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.’”‬ ‭(CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

Rick Moranis was one of the more popular actors in Hollywood in the 1980s. He always seemed to play about the same character, but he did it really well. He was always kind of nerdy, courageous when it counted, and incredibly likable. When someone has really hit their stride like that in any profession, the rule is: keep going. It takes too much time, effort, and energy to get there. You don’t break stride for anything. So, what did Moranis do when his wife died unexpectedly and he was left to play single parent to three young kids? He walked away from acting entirely. He understood what Jesus demonstrates here.

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Digging in Deeper: Isaiah 45:22

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“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!  For I am God, and there is no other.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Did you know that your thumb is bigger than a house?  Don’t believe me?  Next time you go outside, find a house or any other building around you.  Once you’ve located just the right one, close one eye and hold your thumb up in front of the open one.  Now, move it in a bit closer.  Closer still.  Just a bit more.  Magically, the house is gone and all you can see is your thumb.  If you can’t see the house when your thumb is in front of it, your thumb must be bigger right? Read the rest…