I grew up being taught that jealousy is wrong. The first time I remember learning this lesson was in preschool. Another kid brought a yo-yo to school and was playing with it during recess. I thought it looked like fun, so I grabbed it out of his hand. Of course, he didn’t like that, so …
Author Archives: Scott Attebery
It Takes a Village
I have two roles in my family. I am a father and a son at the very same time. At first glance, you might think that my relationships with my dad and my son are extremely linear –ie. My dad teaches me and I teach my son –period. But actually, the learning process is not so …
Sweet Tea and the Spirit
I have several friends who order their drinks without ice. Whenever they order at a restaurant, the server always does a double take. “Sweet tea with no ice?” But my friends have a practical reason for their anti-ice stance. They want the maximum amount of tea possible in their glass. I guess, from that perspective, …
A Healthy Separation
After a disappointing loss, legendary football coach Bear Bryant was asked if there was separation on his team. His answer was simple: “No, but there’s gonna be.” Separation can be healthy. Driving tests separate people qualified to drive from those who are not. Prisons separate criminals from law-abiding citizens, and hospitals separate the sick from …
The Closer the Better
Integrity and character are hard to find. Especially given the fact that we naturally expect people to have “hidden agendas.” Whether it is a salesman, politician, newscaster, or neighbor, we sadly have trouble believing integrity and character exist. There are some legitimate reasons for this. Our experiences have been shaped by people’s false motives and …
Knowledge vs. Skill
Knowledge is great, but it is no replacement for skill. If a man said, “I know every play in the playbook,” we wouldn’t automatically assume he is an NFL quarterback. If a woman said, “I can name every bone in the human body,” we wouldn’t necessarily call her “doctor.” And if someone said, “I know …
Is Weak Gospel Language Acceptable?
“Accept Christ.” Sounds good, right? You read it on church signs and hear it in sermons. But is that all there is to it? Certainly “accepting” Christ is necessary, even good. But it’s not the full picture. I’d like to suggest some bolder language, and here’s why: • It’s not a very clear message. What …
Leaving Home For Love
In July of 2008, Mom and Dad had just finished building a new house. It was going to be their last move. Dad had already retired and Mom was just a few years away. The new house was just outside of town with plenty of land for dad to justify buying a tractor. At the …
Proper Proclamation
To preach simply means to proclaim. It doesn’t necessarily mean raising one’s voice or getting “worked up.” What is important about preaching is the content of the sermon and the manner in which it is presented. The content must be biblical and the presentation must be representative of the nature of Christ. Content: A …
What Desires Do You Desire?
For about nine months I followed my diet perfectly. I went out of my way to choose healthy foods. Sometimes it meant bringing my own meal to a Christmas party or eating nothing while my friends indulged in desert. But one day my will power ran out. I guess I had just had enough of …