Monday, December 23, 2013
I regularly talk to and pray with people who find holidays challenging. For a variety of reasons, special times of the year can feel more like a burden than blessing to some folks. While there's usually some positive anticipation associated with the arrival of a holiday, there can also be apprehension. Holidays can put people […]
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
There’s a familiar phrase — a Bible verse that lots of people recognize. It’s a quote from Jesus that gives us a great life principle: … remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Acts 20:35 (NIV) This life principle has been researched and proven […]
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Have you ever been in a confined place with someone who was coughing or sneezing without concern about others around them? This happens frequently in elevators, waiting rooms, lobbies, offices, on airplanes, and in a variety of other environments. What do you feel when this happens? What is your instinctive reaction? If you're like me, […]
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Friends are wonderful. It's great to have people in your life that share some common connection and positive chemistry with you. Being together with a friend is something you look forward to and enjoy. You add to each other's life. Friends are a blessing and a gift. Sadly, however, sometimes friendships face challenges. Something happens […]
Friday, October 18, 2013
“One day I'll …. ” You've said this before haven't you? It's called a “good intention.” A “good intention” is what we say we want to be or do, but aren't ready to commit effort and energy to now. It projects into the future a kind of “miracle moment” when we'll finally get down to […]
Friday, September 27, 2013
What are your goals? Goals are good things. They point us to a positive future. And as long as your goals are consistent with God's goals for your life, they're worth working toward. But note a key phrase — working toward. Achieving goals requires work. That's why most people never achieve many of their goals. […]
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013 — a day when bad things happened. Twelve people lost their lives and eight others were wounded when Aaron Alexis opened gunfire at the Washington, D.C. Navy Yard. As the news unfolded throughout the day hearts were stricken with heaviness for the families suffering loss and pain. Questions, speculations and fear […]
Monday, September 9, 2013
Time is a precious gift. It comes and goes quickly, and when it passes it can’t be recovered. That’s why we need to be wise in the way we use it. That’s why we need to be purposeful in the way we invest it. The way you use your time determines your personal direction and […]
Friday, August 30, 2013
You’ve heard it before — “Winners never quit and quitters never win!” The famous American football coach Vince Lombardi frequently reminded his players of this life principle — you won’t win if you quit too soon. There are many victories, breakthroughs, successes and achievements that only come after long seasons of, what seems like, fruitless […]
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Most people who work with kids have learned the value of “Time Out.” It’s a discipline tool that requires a child to sit out of group or play activities for some period of time after violating a rule or demonstrating bad attitudes or bad behavior. The goal is to help them reflect on what they’ve […]
Friday, August 9, 2013
Mañana, demain, 내일, αύριο, غدا, amanhã, מָחָר, 明天, domani, завтра, kesho, morgen, huomenna … In English the word is “tomorrow.” Tomorrow is one of our favorite days. It's a very special day. It's when we plan to do most things. It's the day we spend lots of time thinking and worrying about. Tomorrow gets more […]
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
When's your birthday? Like it or not, everybody has one per year. The good news about a birthday is this, the very fact that you have one means that you're still around! And as long as you're still around, God has a purpose for your life. Getting older is actually a good thing. The Bible […]
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
“No” is a good word. If used it at the right times it can protect you from lots of pain and problems. We're reminded of the value of a well-timed “no” from the Old Testament story of a young man named Joseph. After being betrayed by a group of jealous brothers and sold into slavery, […]
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Sometimes the most powerful truths in life are very simple. This was the case with God's instructions to Jacob after a long season of turmoil and turbulence in his life. God gave Jacob a simple but profound principle: Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there […]
Friday, May 31, 2013
Are you angry at someone? About something? Anger is a common human emotion — something we all experience. In and of itself, it's not wrong or sinful, but it is dangerous. It all depends on how you handle it. Remember, the words “anger” and “danger” are only 1 letter apart. Anger gets you very close […]
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Many things in life only come to people who ask. According to the Bible, asking is a good thing. Most people are familiar with Jesus' words, “Ask and you will receive … ” (Matthew 7:7). When you think about this verse it's important not to speed past the first word, ASK. It's actually a command […]