Chris Howlett

Are You Growing?

“The excitement of learning separates youth from old age. As long as you’re learning you’re not old.” – Rosalyn S. Yalow

A tree that stops growing eventually withers, but one that continually reaches for sunlight and nourishment remains vibrant and resilient, even through the fiercest storms. Its roots sink deeper as its branches extend wider and higher. In much the same way, we thrive when we continue learning—stretching our minds, deepening our understanding, and adapting to new challenges. Lifelong learning keeps us flexible, strong, and engaged.

This principle applies to every area of life, including our spiritual growth. There’s a saying: “If you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind.” I love how the Phillips New Testament captures Jesus’ words from John 15:4: “You must go on growing in me, and I will grow in you.” Is Christ growing in you? Are you growing in Christ?

What's Valuable to You?

Vanmoof, a Dutch bicycle manufacturer, faced a significant problem: their bikes were often damaged during delivery, which was a costly issue given that most of their sales occurred online. They needed a creative solution, and they found one in an unexpected place.

Vanmoof discovered that the boxes used to ship their bicycles were similar in size to those used for large flat-screen TVs. Unlike bicycles, TVs rarely arrived damaged. So, the company decided to print a graphic of a flatscreen TV on the side of their bike boxes. The result? An 80% reduction in damaged goods!

We treat things with greater care when we perceive them as valuable. Genesis 1:27 reminds us, "God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them" (NLT). When we understand that every person bears the image of God, we begin to see each individual as precious in his sight. God values humanity so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to redeem us. This profound truth compels us to treat others with the utmost care and respect.

How do you value the people around you? What worth do you place on human life? How do you recognize the eternal value and infinite worth of human beings who are created in the image of God? 

Bait and Switch

Image by Frank Minjarez

“Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fits them all.” – Edmund Burke

The endangered Corpse Flower, know as the “world’s stinkiest flower,” recently bloomed in Scotland.  The plant is native to Sumatra, but a specimen at the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden last week. The last time a specimen of this species bloomed in the UK was 2015. It’s a rare occurrence, one that attracts curiosity seekers due to the size of the bloom and its distinct odor. 

In nature, flies and other carrion insects are attracted to the flower, which mimics the smell of rotting flesh. These insects, seeking to lay their eggs on what they believe to be decaying meat, inadvertently aid in the flower's fertilization process. However, the flower plays a clever trick: it quickly decomposes within days, leaving no material on which the insects' larvae can thrive.

The Corpse Flower offers a striking metaphor for sin. At first glance, it may seem appealing, like a beautiful bloom, but its foul odor and deceptive promises reveal a deeper truth. Sin can appear enticing, but it ultimately delivers nothing. Don’t be deceived by its allure; its promises are empty and lead only to destruction.

How Much Lead in Your Applesauce?

“Holiness is not the privilege of a chosen few – it is the obligation, the call, and the will of God for every Christian.” – Mother Angelica

How much lead do you like in your applesauce? None, you say? Well, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise if you or your children consumed certain cinnamon-flavored applesauce sold in grocery and dollar stores last year. According to a story in The New York Times, the Food and Drug Administration identified a spice grinder in Ecuador as the likely source of contamination for potentially three million applesauce pouches sold in the United States.

Children in forty-four states ate the tainted sauce. Some of it contained alarmingly high levels of lead. But, even a small amount of lead in applesauce is too much.

How much sin do you think God wants in your life? About as much lead as you want in your kid’s applesauce. Zero. None. Nada. Yet, we often justify sin. We think, “No one is tempted the way I am.” “I’m only human.” “I just can’t help myself.” These are the enemy’s lies.

Everyone faces similar temptations (1 Cor. 10:13); to be human is to be like Jesus (Philippians 2:7); and, God can make you holy (1 Thess. 5:23-24). God wants to fill your life to overflowing with his love and Holy Spirit, leaving no room for sin.

During Lent, examine yourself and invite the Lord to open your heart to the fullness of his grace. Allow him to transform you into the person he created you to be.

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Image by Taken from Pixabay

Changed Circumstances or Changed Heart?

“No amount of regret changes the past, no amount of anxiety changes the future, any amount of grateful joy changes the present.” – Ann Voskamp

There was a mouse who was scared of cats until a wizard changed him into a cat. Then he met a dog, so the wizard transformed him into a dog. The mouse-turned-cat-turned-dog was fine until he encountered a tiger. So, once again, the wizard changed him into a tiger. When the tiger complained about meeting a hunter, the wizard refused to change him again. He said, "I will make you a mouse again, for although you have the body of a tiger, you still have the heart of a mouse!"

When we find ourselves dissatisfied with some aspect of life, we often look externally. We think, "If only my circumstances would change." However, a change in circumstances does not necessarily mean a change of heart. What we often need is a transformed heart. We need a heart filled with gratitude, joy, hope, and faith.

God loves you. He cares about your circumstances, but he may not necessarily want to fix them. What he does want is to fix you. He sent Jesus to change your heart. This week, surrender your circumstances and your heart to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to soften, shape, and make you more like Jesus. In doing so, you can experience the transformation you need to live fully, joyfully, and gratefully in the present.

Post-Christmas Blues?

According to Psychology Today, it is "entirely normal to feel a sense of sadness" after Christmas. They suggest that one way to cope with post-holiday blues is to realize that others feel the same way. Indeed, as the saying goes, "Misery loves company."

However, for Christians, Christmas is not yet over. According to the Church Calendar, Christmas is not just a single day, but a twelve-day season known as the Twelve Days of Christmas. During this time, we celebrate the birth of Christ and the miraculous event of the Incarnation. And after the twelve days, we have another holiday called Epiphany, where we commemorate the visit of the Magi and the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.

So, on this Third Day of Christmas, let us rejoice! Christ the Lord is born! There is still more celebration, more Christmas music to enjoy, and more Christmas happiness to share.

Contagious Joy

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” – Henri Nouwen

According to C.S. Lewis, both good and bad things can be contagious. Just like standing near a fire makes you warm and getting into water makes you wet, if you want to experience joy, power, peace, and eternal life, you need to be close to or even immersed in the source of these qualities. They are not simply prizes God distributes to anyone; rather, they are the fundamental forces of energy and beauty that exist at the core of reality. If you are near this source, you will be touched by its influence, but if you are distant, you will remain unaffected.

Choosing joy means choosing to be with Jesus, the source of all joy. This is what we celebrate at Christmas, the gift of God’s Son, our Savior and Lord. It’s in and through a relationship with him that joy is encountered. I hope this season you will evaluate in what you’re immersed and turn your heart to the Christ of Joy.

Dragons, Worries, and Trust

“Don't tell me that worry doesn't do any good. I know better. The things I worry about don't happen.” – Anonymous

On the margins of medieval maps cartographers often wrote the Latin phrase hic sunt dragones, which means “there be dragons.” These words described the boundary where knowledge ended and speculation began. These areas were unexplored and perhaps held perilous dangers.

Another image, however, often graced these medieval maps: the image of Christ. There were dragons, but also Jesus and angels. The image of Jesus was a comforting reminder that though there may be places of peril, Christ is ultimately in control and we can follow him, assured we find our way.

Most of the time our worries are far worse than reality. The dragons we think we’re facing turn out only to be small, pitiful lizards that flee at the first sight of humans. Even when real challenges exist we remember that Jesus Christ is in control, and he cares about us and the direction of our lives. He’ll always guide us to safety if we’ll pay attention to his loving leadership.

As you face worries and fears always remember this wonderful promise: you can “cast all your anxiety on [Christ] because he cares for you” (1 Peter 3:7 NIV).

Everyone Begins as a Novice

“I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” – Pablo Picasso

Everything you’ve ever done, you began as a novice. Think about it. When you first learned to walk, you began with a step, maybe two, if you were awesome, three. Then, what? You plopped back down on your behind. Aren’t you glad your parents didn’t say, “Well, this isn’t going to work out, she can’t walk. Let’s get her a wheel chair.” No, that’d be crazy. Or, how about when you learned the alphabet. Did you get it right the first time? No. Did it take some work and effort? Sure! Did you persevere? Yes, or you wouldn’t be reading this.

These are nearly universal experiences. I could go on and on and on with other examples. Life is about learning new things. We should never not be learning and growing. 

Discipleship is like this. A disciple is someone who follows Jesus, who grows in the character and competencies of Jesus. A disciple is a follower-learner. These are verbs. They take doing: following and learning. What are you learning from Jesus? How are you growing in spiritual maturity? What are you doing that you cannot do so that you may learn how to do it? Is it regularly reading and applying God’s Word to your life? Is it growing in prayer? Is it sharing your faith with a neighbor or friend? Is it worshiping with the community of faith consistently? Is it serving and showing the love of God through your actions? What’s your growing edge? Do you have a growing edge?

A child never learns to walk without taking that first, wobbly step. In your discipleship, it’s time to get to stepping.

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Photo by Gustavo Fring

Discipline or Disappointment

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/action-ball-field-game-274506/

“There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment.” – Nick Saban

The "dead season" has ended for Kentucky High School fall sports, and teams across the state are engaged in pre-season tryouts, conditioning, and practices. This time of year is exciting because there are endless possibilities, such as achieving wins, making it to the post-season, or even becoming contenders for a state championship. Although no one knows what the outcome will be, the hard work and growth that takes place during these weeks of preparation will largely determine the final result. So, how much discipline and discomfort can you endure now to maximize your chances for success later in the season?

As an assistant high school soccer coach for seventeen years, I experienced all the highs and lows that sports have to offer, from winning three state championships to enduring losing seasons. Through it all, I can confidently say that the pain of discipline is much more pleasant than the pain of disappointment.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Everyone who competes practices self-discipline in everything. The runners do this to get a crown of leaves that shrivel up and die, but we do it to receive a crown that never dies" (1 Cor. 9:25 CEB). Spiritual maturity doesn't happen by accident; the Holy Spirit requires us to cooperate in growing into fully-formed followers of Jesus. Discipleship takes discipline. We must discipline our bodies, our minds, grow in discernment, and dedicate ourselves to the good works God prepared for us (Eph. 2:10). It's not easy, but the fruit of victory is sweet!

I commend all student-athletes and coaches for their hard work. Most won't end the season with a state championship, but they will end stronger and more mature for the effort. They're doing good work. God calls us to even greater work, the work of making disciples of Jesus who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly. Let's discipline ourselves, work hard, and run the race with endurance to accomplish what God has called us to do.