Fire and Fur Coats

Stephan Tchividjian
8 Dec 2020
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There is an old Jewish term, tzaddik im peltz, meaning, “a righteous man in a fur coat.” There are two ways of keeping warm on a cold night. You can wear a fur coat or light a fire. Wear a fur coat and you warm only yourself. Light a fire and you warm others. The year 2020 has been one of the most unusual years of my life (and I could be so bold and suggest the same is true of you). The year has been polarizing. We have all experienced loss and gain, peace and fear, loneliness and community […]

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Freaking Out

Stephan Tchividjian
12 Nov 2020
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I am assuming that you are either experiencing profound peace or a level of anxiety and freaking out that you find almost unbearable. Perhaps your reality is dictating these emotions. You are deeply devoted to your country, your church, your career, your circle of friends etc. However, your emotions are affected by the latest news, a text, a conversation, something you read or simply what side of the bed you woke up on. Sometimes these thoughts and feelings may vary by the hour. Therefore, how in the world are we supposed to lead a normal, healthy and somewhat meaningful life, […]

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freak

The Snow Globe Effect

Stephan Tchividjian
13 Oct 2020
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snow

I hope that during your lifetime you’ve had the chance to hold a snow globe. The snow globe is either a toy or piece of art that displays an idyllic scene that is encased within the confines of a clear globe, a liquid and small specs of “snow.” The idea is that when you shake the globe, the clear scene becomes covered with a make-believe snow fall, transforming before your very eyes a most beautiful snowy scene and creating one of the most wonderful feelings one can have, the feeling of a first snow fall. However, the perfect scene is […]

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First Steps

Stephan Tchividjian
1 Sep 2020
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I have been thinking about the idea of a first step. I am not sure what has prompted that idea, perhaps it is watching my grandchildren growing up, perhaps its watching students graduating university and starting their careers, perhaps its watching newlyweds and young families beginning to write their own stories. I have friends who are starting new business ventures, planting churches, and changing careers and all of these require a first step. Neil Armstrong took a first step and became famous for it. Do you remember those famous words, “One small step for man and one giant leap for […]

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The Lurk

Stephan Tchividjian
10 Aug 2020
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lurk

Have you ever seen a Lurk? Lurks are common but most people won’t recognize them. A Lurk reminds me of the Mimic octopus, who has a unique way of camouflaging as it blends in with the seafloor and its surroundings by changing its skin color and the shape of its tentacles to take on the shape of other sea creatures. Perhaps many of you are hearing about the Lurk for the first time but I am here to assure you it exists, and I believe you have seen it all the while not realizing that you have. The Lurk can […]

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My Rabbi

Stephan Tchividjian
8 Jul 2020
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I was seven or eight when this little painting of an old wise man, probably a rabbi, caught my eye. The artist was selling his wares on the streets of Paris. I am not sure what about this painting caught my imagination as a young boy, but I insisted in getting it. I remember to this day that the painting was still wet with paint when I bought it, carefully caring for it as we made our trip home to the United States. The painting is still in my possession, hangs in my home and brings back some great memories. […]

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Rat Race

Stephan Tchividjian
4 Jun 2020
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Recently I was reading some Bible verses and the concept of waiting was brought up. I recognize that waiting is a core component of our relationship with God. However, waiting is hard for those of us that live in a hurry up rat race world, yet God promises significant blessings to waiting. I think waiting needs an image makeover, some much needed professional help, perhaps a PR campaign. I ask myself this one question, “what really is waiting and why is it important?” Waiting Waiting is simply the notion that the future opportunity is greater than the current situation. For […]

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Time Out

Stephan Tchividjian
4 May 2020
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Disclaimer: God is not angry with me… He is simply teaching me something.   I grew up as the oldest of seven children, yes, that’s right, a large family. We don’t see too many of those anymore. I can certainly say that growing up in a family of seven children, two parents, various friends and relatives all co-mingling was anything but social distancing. A large family has to manage different than a small family. For example, a station wagon was not big enough, so we actually had a 15-passenger van to transport the beehive. Chores, did I mention the chores? […]

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time

The Mission and The Storm

Stephan Tchividjian
2 Apr 2020
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mission

Jesus says to his disciples, “Let’s go to the other side.” Jesus was on a mission then, and He is on a mission today. Where is He taking us? I remember as a young boy having a picture hanging in my bedroom that depicted a young man piloting a boat at its helm, while in the midst of a storm. Jesus stood behind the young man with one hand on his shoulder and the other showing him where to steer in the midst of the high seas. Today, that painting hangs on a wall in our house that is full […]

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Nests in Your Hair

Stephan Tchividjian
5 Mar 2020
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My grandmother used to have a saying, “You can’t keep birds from flying over your head, but you can certainly keep them from making nests in your hair.” The imagery was a warning of how sin creeps into our lives. May I illustrate this by telling a story of a friend?   My Friend James My friend, I will call him James (not his real name), was riding high… everything he touched turned to gold.  He had influence, wealth, community, toys, a large family, health…. basically everything.  He also really loved God… I mean loved God.  He often talked about […]

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