How Much is Enough?
Dear Keith, how much ambition is normal? I have been raised always to be ambitious, to use my talents and abilities to the max and “make something of myself.” But recently someone told me I am focusing too much on getting ahead, and that I’m an overachiever—maybe to the point of being self-destructive. If ambition [...]
Moving Beyond Circumstances that Block Us
Over the years many serious, committed Christians have asked me questions about how to come to grips with such painful topics as sickness, handicaps, accidents leading to permanent injury or death, and other such matters. Devastated parents, husbands, young adults, when faced with the loss of someone on whom they depend, and whom they love [...]
Don’t Shut Down the Fire Alarm, Find the Fire!
Dear Keith, I’ve been troubled a lot with anxiety lately and seem to be having more problems with my relationships recently. I have made a commitment to Christ and asked God for the filling of the Holy Spirit and I have done everything my friends have told me to do to get rid of this [...]
Squelching a Word of Love—to Keep from Being Hurt
Keith, not long ago a good friend, someone I like and respect, complimented me on some design work I’d done. I knew he meant it and at one level I was very pleased—especially since we work in the same field and he’s very good at what he does. But I was also, sort of… embarrassed, [...]
Finding the Life We’ve Been Looking For
Keith, I keep running into people who can’t seem to believe there really is a God—and honestly I don’t know if I do. These scientists are almost making fun of people who believe that God is real! And if God is real, they ask, how can he change the basic character of people who believe [...]
Spiritual House Cleaning
Keith, I’m not a pious person and have never liked doing things that sound like they will look more “religious.” But I was fascinated to hear that God wants to transform me into the person God designed me to be. Can you suggest an approach to spiritual transformation that has its feet on the ground?
Great [...]
Angry All the Time
Keith, in a group sometime ago I heard you say something about anger, and it got me thinking about my situation. I have a problem with being angry a lot. About the only feeling my father ever expressed was anger—he thought that real men get angry; other emotions were for women and wimps. We’ve become [...]
When Prayer Feels Like ‘Talking To Myself’
Sometimes when I’m praying my rational mind jumps in and says, “Do you suppose anybody is really listening?” Or I simply wonder if I’m talking to myself. That often makes me want to stop praying until I feel clear about God’s presence. But then I feel bad because I’m not praying regularly. It’s a vicious [...]
Back to Basics
Happy New Year! During the last week of 2009, Andrea and I made some plans for 2010, including plans about this weekly blog. We will be starting 2010 by addressing how one might deal with some of the basic questions of life from the perspective of living one’s entire life for Christ. I’ll be writing [...]
Some Good News about Some Bad News
Keith, just before Christmas this year I had my annual physical (which I’ve always passed with flying colors). This time my Internist went over a shockingly long list of borderline results that indicated I need to watch everything I eat, get regular exercise and get some sleep.
That evening I was stunned to realize that with [...]
