Criticism
The Pharisees Have to Eat Their Own Words
09/04/10 06:02
As “sojourners,” the disciples were entitled to break their fast. And they did so with the approval of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus knew that the Sabbath was set aside for man’s physical and spiritual renewal. It was meant to be a blessing and not the burden that the Pharisees had made it. He quickly put the Pharisees in their place by showing how unrealistic their interpretation of the law had become. Read More...
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Dealing With Negative People
07/25/10 03:36
The appropriate response to any criticism is illustrated by the householder in today’s Gospel. He appreciated the seriousness of the situation but recognized that it did not require immediate intervention. He remained cool and calm as he studied the situation and waited until the time was ripe. Then he acted decisively. When someone criticizes us, it’s important to exercise patient, self-restraint. Read More...
Jesus Shrugged Off Rejection
06/04/10 05:28
Rejection hurts. Whether it’s a pink slip, divorce papers, a failing grade, a cancelled contract, a foreclosure notice, a declined loan or “constructive criticism,” the pain is real. It can cause us to lose hope, give in and give up. It can cause us to reject ourselves and stop trying. On the other hand, a rejection can also cause us to take an honest, objective look at ourselves and (if need be) make a fresh start. Read More...
How Jesus Dealt with Criticism
06/04/10 05:25
Jesus dealt with His critics by simply pointing out the inconsistency in their thinking: first, they had said John the Baptist was too ascetic; then they had said Jesus was too liberal. There was no satisfying them. They were like petulant children changing the rules in the middle of a game. Read More...
Four Ways Jesus Handled Rejection
01/24/10 07:47
Jesus didn’t take rejection to heart. He didn’t dwell on the negative. He learned from it and moved on with His life. Read More...
Jesus 'Signs Off'
10/13/08 05:00
This critical spirit has made the “blame game” America’s most popular past time. When things go wrong, it’s some one else’s fault. We’re quick to see ourselves as victims, and too quick to fix the blame, instead of fixing the problem. We tend to judge others by their actions and ourselves by our intentions. Read More...