Darkened Glass Reflections

Category: Character and Values

  • Fathers’ Day

    Fathers’ Day

    Some thoughts for Fathers’ Day: Fatherhood is an important calling from God. We play an important in the lives of future generations.

  • First Sunday of Advent: One Year, One Thing

    First Sunday of Advent: One Year, One Thing

    “If every year we would root out one vice, we would soon become perfect men.” In this post, I invite the reader to think of one sin that they want to overcome and commit it to the Lord in the coming year.

  • Rooting Out Pride and Cultivating Humility

    Rooting Out Pride and Cultivating Humility

    As a follow-up to my recent post about pride, I share a few practical biblical suggestions for dealing with pride and developing humility.

  • Killer Pride

    Killer Pride

    Perhaps one of the worst sins is one that almost all of us have, but few confess. We do not notice it in ourselves, but we recoil when we see it in others. That sin is pride.

  • Joseph in God’s Leadership Training Program

    Joseph in God’s Leadership Training Program

    Genesis depicts Joseph as the first Israelite to emerge as a world leader. As a youth, he dreamed that his brothers and parents would one day bow before him (Genesis 37:5–11). By the time that actually happened, he was a changed man, equipped by God to lead. He started with dreams and ambition. He developed…

  • Judging Others or Examining Ourselves

    Judging Others or Examining Ourselves

    “Judge not” is not something Jesus tells us to say to others. It is something He tells us to say to ourselves when we interact with other people.

  • Of Trees and Tumbleweeds: Rooted in and Nourished by God’s Word

    Of Trees and Tumbleweeds: Rooted in and Nourished by God’s Word

    A plant that remains grounded with its roots can produce its life-imparting fruit while providing beauty and security. It is no accident that Psalms 1 and Jeremiah 17 compares blessed godly people with trees planted by the water. Securely rooted and grounded in a life-giving source, they impart life and fruit to others. Separated from…

  • Robin Williams, Suicide, and Hope (Revisited)

    Robin Williams, Suicide, and Hope (Revisited)

    I originally shared this post on August 12, 2014, a few days after comedian Robin Williams committed suicide. The recent anniversary of his departure seems a good opportunity to consider some of the lessons we can learn from this tragedy.

  • Imitating the Father

    Imitating the Father

    God the Father gave us His best self-portrait when He sent His Son to show us who He is and what He is like.

  • A Valiant Warrior Misses the Mark

    While we need to recognize our identity in Christ, we need to remember that entire phrase: It is our identity in Christ. Sometimes, we win spiritual battles through God’s power and the work of the Holy Spirit, and suddenly forget that He is in control. The apostle Paul asked, “Having begun by the Spirit, are…