Wealth is increasingly and unfairly concentrated among a privileged few. Jesus said: “Watch out! Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions”.
Time teaches us to recognise that what seemed so terrible then wasn't as bad as it seemed.
It's not the norm. It happens sometimes, but only to special people: those who never give up. HARRISON DILLARD was one of these.
During the 1948 London Olympics he was the favourite to win the gold medal in the 110m hurdles race, but in the semi-finals he knocked down a hurdle and didn't make it to the final.
Harrison didn't want to go home with nothing to show for his efforts, so he entered the 100 metres - and won the gold medal!
I started by saying that few people react this way, because most people complain about their problems.
You could call complaining the world's biggest sport. If you go out any day and talk to a number of "normal" people, most of them will complain about something.
Complaining is dangerous. In the first place, you can't get ahead. In the second place, you get discouraged. In the third place, complaining makes the future look grim. In the fourth place, complaining leads to anger at yourself and others.
In the fifth place, complaining makes you blame God for your situation. In the sixth place, complaining crowds out gratitude; and in the seventh place, complaining makes you miss opportunities. Do you still feel like complaining?
On the other hand, never forget that complaining is contagious. If you start complaining, you'll soon find yourself surrounded by complainers! We must learn to put up with unpleasant things. If we can't learn this lesson, we'll never get anywhere.
Can you remember your complaints of a year ago? They seem silly now, don't they? Time teaches us to recognise that what seemed so terrible then wasn't as bad as it seemed.
Sometimes a problem even turns out to be a blessing! So please, stop complaining. It underlines our sin. Trust God and don't give up; start over!
An interview with the socio-political representative of the European Evangelical Alliance about how evangelical Christians work at the heart of the European Union.
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
Christians rallied in Sofia on November 18 to defend their rights. It is the second Sunday of peaceful demonstrations against a new religion draft law that could severely restrict religious freedom and rights of minority faith confessions.
Abolitionists marched through 400 cities in 51 countries. Pictures from Valencia (Spain), October 20.
Seminars, an arts exhibition, discussion and testimonies. The European Disability Network met in Tallinn.
The Swiss-Spanish artist and Evangelical Focus author speaks about how he relates work and faith.
A debate about science and faith between Oxford Emeritus Professor of Mathematics John Lennox and Oxford Emeritus Professor in Chemistry Peter Atkins. Moderated by journalist Justin Brierley.
Many are coming to Christ in some of the toughest prisons in this troubled part of the country.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
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