Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Burnout; Focus; Priorities; Work References: Matthew 22:35–40; Luke 10:41–42; Philippians 3:7–8 When animal trainers go into a cage of lions, they carry whips and pistols. But invariably they also carry a stool. According to William H. Hinson, the stool is the most important tool. The trainer holds the stool by the back and thrusts … Continue reading “TOO
MUCH TO DO”

Topics: Busyness; Leisure; Rest; Sabbath; Stress; Success; Time; Work References: Exodus 23:12; Matthew 11:28–30; Hebrews 4:1–11 We’re working too hard in the United States. At least we think we are. Here’s what 1,220 workers said about themselves in a Hilton Generational Time survey in January 2001: •     need more fun: 68 percent •     need a long vacation: … Continue reading “NEEDING
A BREAK”

Topics: Busyness; Holiness; Lifestyle; Outreach; Peace; Prayer; Pressure; Seekers; Stress; Weariness References: Psalm 46:10; Matthew 11:28–30; 13:22; Luke 10:38–42; Ephesians 6:18 I called him Two-Phone Joe. The first time I met him, I was sitting at an outdoor table at my favorite coffee spot. He came out, cell phone pressed between shoulder and ear, talking … Continue reading “TWO-PHONE
JOE”

Topics: Ambition; Business; Busyness; Career; Communication; Competition; Emptiness; Jobs; Lifestyle; Pressure; Sabbath; Stress; Weariness; Work References: Exodus 20:8–11; 23:12; Psalm 127:2; Matthew 11:28–30; 13:22; Luke 21:34; Philippians 4:6–7 The average office gets 220 messages a day in emails, memos, phone calls, interruptions, and ads. No wonder a survey of 1,313 managers on four continents found … Continue reading “MESSAGING
STRESS”

Topics: Leisure; Limitations; Rest; Sabbath; Stress; Vacation; Weariness; Work References: Psalm 62; Jeremiah 6:16; Matthew 11:28–30; Hebrews 4:1–11 MinneNAPolis opened in Minnesota’s Mall of America in 2005. It rents comfy spots where weary shoppers can take naps for seventy cents a minute. Founded by PowerNap Sleep Centers of Boca Raton, Florida, the new store includes … Continue reading “NAPPING
FOR SHOPPERS”

Topics: Emotions; Family; Husbands; Marriage; Neglect; Relationships; Resentment; Responsibility; Rest; Sabbath; Wives References: Ecclesiastes 2:17–23; Isaiah 40:28–31; Matthew 11:28; Hebrews 4:9–11; Revelation 14:13 Maria Brunner, of Poing, Germany, was willing to go to jail to get a break. Brunner’s husband is unemployed, so she supports their three young children by cleaning other people’s houses. Even … Continue reading “RESTING
IN JAIL”

Topics: Busyness; Career; Childlikeness; Escape; Faith; Fun; Jobs; Joy; Leisure; Play; Pressure; Responsibility; Sabbath; Stress; Work References: Matthew 18:1–4; 19:14; Mark 10:13–16; Luke 18:16 When stress at work gets to be too much, many executives are finding new ways to escape. Instead of retreating to the beach, to the mountains, or to a golf outing, … Continue reading “DE-STRESSING
AT KIDDIES’ CAMP”

Topics: Criticism; Employees; Employers; Health; Stress References: Mark 10:42–45; Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 4:1; James 5:1–6; 1 Peter 3:8–17 Research in England revealed that employers who unfairly treat their employees can actually make them sick. That’s according to a study in which 6,400 civil servants in London were asked questions such as, “Do you ever get … Continue reading “WHEN
BOSSES MAKE YOU SICK”

Topics: Apathy; Busyness; Choices; Compromise; Desires; Distractions; Human Nature; Hypocrisy; Self-indulgence; Temptation; Time Management; Values; Vices; Weakness; Weariness References: Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13; 1 Corinthians 6:13–18; 10:21; Galatians 6:7–8; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8; James 4:8 We want to be a saint, but we also want to feel every sensation experienced by sinners; we want to be … Continue reading “SAINT-SINNER
CONFLICT”

Topics: Abuse; Anxiety; Children; Conflict; Family; Fatherhood; Health; Motherhood; Stress References: Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21 Childhood can be a very stressful time, but there is a difference between stresses caused inside and outside the home. Family stressors cause the most devastation. Researchers measured levels of cortisol, a hormone that is produced in a child’s saliva … Continue reading “TROUBLE
IN THE FAMILY”