The “Three Wise Monkeys” is a well-known visual depicting primates covering their eyes, ears, and mouth to embody the principle of “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.” This iconic imagery has roots in ancient wisdom traditions.

Intriguingly, some representations include a fourth monkey, often portrayed with hands between his legs or sitting on its hands, symbolizing “Do no evil.” While this addition appears to be a later historical development, it complements the original trio in a thought-provoking way.

This four-monkey concept illustrates a potential progression of moral behavior: What we see and hear influences our speech, which in turn shapes our actions. The fourth monkey represents the culmination of this process – how we interact with the world and treat others. It suggests that by guarding our senses against negative influences, we can cultivate more positive behavior.

For those seeking spiritual development, this imagery prompts a critical self-reflection: “What information am I allowing to enter my life through my eyes and ears?” The answer to this question often manifests clearly in one’s words and deeds.

I was in college and went to “supply preach” at a little Church in Missouri. Amazingly, they invited me back. At the end of September 1993, I was asked if I would come back every week. Since that day, I have been preaching for 31 years.

Through that time, the world has changed dramatically with the arrival of cell phones and the internet. Computers went from being something that I might be able to use for ministry to an absolute necessity. The list of ways that being a pastor is different today is exceptionally long.

During that time, I have also changed. I have gotten married, had four children, and raised them while living in four different states. Not only has my personal life seen its share of changes, but the way I do ministry has been transformed over the years. Now, I write articles, preach without notes, and share sermons on social media.

There were two constants in those thirty-one years.

The Bible is still the inspired word of God and contains the essentials of all we believe. While the presentation may have varied, the content is still the same.

The Church is still the people of God and is composed of all who believe. While the names and faces have changed over time, the community of faith remains strong and is still doing the work of the Lord.

This Sunday, I will walk to the front of our auditorium, stand before my community of faith, and preach the Bible to them. I take comfort in the fact that if the Lord gives me another thirty-one years, those two things will remain.

If you are looking for something to build your life upon that will endure, then know that the Church is waiting for you to come and is ready to share the teachings of the Bible with you.

An accident. A trip to the emergency room. A funeral.

Performance review. Layoff. Dismissed.

Poor decision. Consequences.

These things happen to both Christians and non-Christians alike. The difference is not what happens to us but what occurs after that. How do we respond to the struggles and setbacks this life has to offer?

Every human will have similar experiences, and the way believers handle them should be vastly different from the people around them.

I don’t know what circumstance you’re in right now, but this is where your faith can grow the biggest and shine the brightest.

Make them hate to see you leave in the morning.

Make them excited to see you come home in the evening.

Make every weekend or day off a joy for the person you married.

One of the most significant indicators of a person living for Jesus is the way their spouse views them.

My current sermon series is stretching my understanding of the Bible and how to summarize it for others. I have read hundreds of pages for each sermon and have spent numerous hours writing and rewriting. It is challenging to cover the entire story of the Bible in nine parts, and I feel like I am doing an adequate job.

While I was sitting in my office working on one of the latest sermons, my internal voice said quietly, “Why do you do this to yourself?” Why do I preach complex sermon series, thought-provoking topics, and perplexing passages?

No one is telling me I need to preach these sermons. I have no leader or group of leaders telling me what to preach. So why do I do this to myself?

I do it because I am convinced it is easy to become complacent. This is especially true in our walk of faith. The tendency is to walk the path of least resistance and not push ourselves in any way.

I genuinely want to know the Bible better, communicate more effectively, and grow in my faith. This means I must push myself. No one else will ask me to stretch and improve – only me.

If you have been a Christian for years, let me ask you: What are you doing to stretch yourself and your faith in Jesus? What are you doing that makes you uncomfortable and uneasy? What are you doing that will cause you to pray more and think more deeply?

More Christians drift into apathy than move to agnosticism. If you are not rowing strenuously against the tide of complacency by your own choice, no one else is going to push you. One way to keep a healthy faith is to continually put yourself in situations that will stretch you.

My wife was wrong. Clearly wrong. So I did what any red-blooded American male would do: I put together a list of reasons that she was incorrect. I used logic, illustrations, referred to historical precedent, and put together an airtight case. I knew that after I had hit her with all my responses, she would be blown away by my wisdom and change her viewpoint to align with mine.

The paragraph above is entirely made up, but it comes from years of marital counseling. One person would have this completely developed argument and not understand why their spouse could not reach an agreement with their stance.

Relationships do not work that way. People are rarely convinced to change their opinions based on logical arguments. Other factors at play make that conversion complex, including personal experience, the teaching of others, and long-held beliefs.

While this is undoubtedly true in marital relationships, it is also true in our spiritual conversations. The internet is flooded with videos, podcasts, and articles that have well-reasoned, logical arguments for faith. And yet, the world is still largely unconverted. Why?

This is because the transformation of thinking is also an emotional experience. Just like an argument in my marriage must come from a place of love and concern, so does the sharing of our faith. Therefore, if we want the people in our lives to know Jesus, we must have an authentic relationship of love and concern before they will listen to our viewpoint on faith.

Defense of the faith arguments are fantastic for strengthening the faith of believers, but if Christians genuinely want to make people disciples of Jesus, then we must draw close to them. Treating people as future friends will often do more good than developing airtight arguments about why we believe.

This week, if you want to make a difference for Jesus, set the material you are studying aside and invite your unbelieving neighbor over for dinner. Transformation happens best in relationships.

What does this Pastor really feel about his time with his Church community on Sunday?

To be honest, there are things I hate about it. I hate it when people are selfish in their parking and seating and generally treat others poorly. I hate when people ignore guests and display a lousy mood. I hate it when people talk about themselves with no concern for others. I hate it when people don’t sing, or they talk during the sermon and act like they do not care about worship. I hate it when people run out after our time together and do not connect with anyone. I hate when the people of God do not act like Jesus.

To be fair, there are things I love about it. I love seeing people being kind, loving, and compassionate to one another. I love watching people sit at the front, welcome guests, and show kindness toward everyone. I love seeing people encourage, pray, and meet the needs of one another. I love hearing people sing the songs of faith, take notes during the message, and throw themselves into worship in every way. I love listening to people visit with each other before and after our time together. I love the people who hang around and talk to me about what they are learning and how they are growing. I love seeing people’s lives transformed by the power of Jesus. I love the people who message me with kind words, prayer requests, and questions to help their faith. I love those two or three people that I know genuinely care about my wife and me beyond our leadership in the Church.

Honestly, the list of positive things about the Church is far longer than any negative one that I could write. There are far more things to love than hate.

Do I wish the Church were perfect? Yes!

Do I love this faith community? Also YES!

Even the words we only say to ourselves. 

Especially the words we only say to ourselves.

Before God’s word tells us about sin entering the world, the curse as a result, or the general mess we see all around us. It starts with over two chapters of beauty and wonder.

We have a mighty Creator. The world is a good place. God has a plan. You and I are created in the very image of God. We need relationships with other people, and our ultimate relationship is with our Maker.

Most of us start our days with a Genesis 3 mindset where we feel our world is cursed and we are a failure, instead of a Genesis 1-2 mindset.

Perhaps today, you need to say to yourself that you are more than the sum of your mistakes. Your world is not cursed; God has a plan for you, and you are his child. Then allow that to influence your heart and mind today.

I was scrolling through social media, and I saw the possibility to “add friend” of someone I knew well years ago. After a couple of quick clicks, I was on their page, scrolling through posts and pictures. Immediately, my heart was broken.

This person who used to love the Lord and serve the Church beside me was clearly very far from God at this point. The content of their life online was the exact opposite of what they used to be like.

The single most challenging part of my life as a pastor is watching people walk away from faith. Seeing people who once loved Jesus and me, and now they live far from both of us.

Faith is a lifelong journey, and every time someone gives up, it breaks my heart. Every time.

Reading the pages of scripture, I find comfort in knowing I’m not alone in my stupidity. The Bible’s characters, human and flawed, stumble at every turn. From Abraham’s half-truths about Sarah and his missteps with Hagar to Peter denying Christ three times, these stories remind me that I’m far from the most flawed soul to walk this earth.

Yet, more profoundly comforting is God’s unwavering presence amidst my shortcomings. He doesn’t abandon me in my folly but meets me in the midst of my mess, offering hope. The concepts of grace, forgiveness, and mercy are not mere words but indelible impressions on my soul, a testament to God’s enduring presence. His word extends an invitation to cast our burdens upon Him, for He cares deeply for us.

Reflecting on my life, I recognize that most of my headaches and heartaches have stemmed from my own actions. It’s reassuring to know this experience is universal. Even in my darkest moments, I’m surrounded by reminders that I’m never truly alone. This shared human experience of imperfection and divine grace offers a profound comfort, connecting us all in our struggles and redemption.