Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among 15-24 year-olds. Contributory factors include depression, deteriorating family life, media glorification, and drugs.

There is a critical difference between self-examination and self-preoccupation. We must accurately assess our spiritual state without becoming self-absorbed.

II Timothy 3:1-5 contains 19 characteristics of carnality. The common denominator is self-absorption and pride, placing the self above others.

If we were to consciously monitor our thoughts, we would be appalled about the percentage of our day that we are exclusively wrapped up in ourselves.

We must not construe the term, "whatever our heart desires," as a pass to sin, but we should use every occasion to grow in thinking and acting like God.

According to the book, 13th Gen: Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail?, those born between 1961-1981 belongs to the 13th Generation, the 13th since America's Founding Fathers.

Because of lawlessness, love has gone stone-cold. Sin and lawlessness begets more sin and lawlessness, and natural affection and love disappear.

Narcissism and self-centeredness have snuffed out out-going concern, and everyone does what is right in their own eyes as the love of many grows cold.

As parents, we can protect our children from death and destruction if we discourage the self-absorptive pulls through correction and discipline.

The Good Samaritan parable teaches that unless one practices doing good rather than just knowing good, his faith will be severely compromised.

We are blessed when our trust is in God, but cursed when we trust in man or his abilities or his work, or when our heart is set on anything other than God.

The Baby Boomer generation has taken on characteristics of narcissism, self-absorption, and excessive self-centeredness, leading to rampant materialism.

To this borderline-suicidal narcissist, his universe held only himself, permitting God's will for others only if it conformed to his own will.

Balaam, motivated by self-interest, believing that the ends justify the means, willing to do anything to get his way, is spiritually inferior to a donkey.

Parents have incrementally abandoned the responsibility of disciplining their children. Satan has taken over the responsibility through his matrix.

Just as a dead person does no works, so a faith that does not include works is also dead. A person in whom living, saving faith exists will produce works.

We must have both perseverance and humility in prayer to keep our vision sharp and clear. Without humility, the doorway to acceptance by God is closed.

Summertime reminds us of 'those lazy, hazy, crazy days' of our youth. Biblically, summertime sounds a warning to us to prepare for the fall harvest.

James' exhortation about the use of the tongue seems to stop with James 3:12. However, the rest of the chapter provides more wisdom on controlling our speech.

Our physical bodies have a defense system to keep out invaders. Spiritually, how well do we maintain our defenses against error and contamination?