Thursday, April 21, 2016
Sometimes conversations go south on us. In a brief moment, a very pleasant and positive chat with a friend can turn negative. All it takes to soil a talk is a little gossip. Some tidbit of ugly information about someone not present, whether true or false, takes center stage, and before you know it, the […]
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Pretenders are people who play a part, fake an interest, and deceive others in some way to get what they want. They are master manipulators, working angles to gain someone’s confidence so that they achieve some advantage or accomplish some personal goal. For some folks, this phony way of relating to others becomes their modus […]
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
When people hurt us the natural response is payback. By nature we gravitate to the “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth” approach to people and pain. Jesus taught a different way of thinking and behaving. He commanded His followers to forgive, to turn the other cheek and to go the second mile […]
Monday, April 18, 2016
What kind of record-keeper are you? Some folks are great at remembering expenses, tracking progress, knowing the balances and status of all accounts, all the time. This attention to detail is admirable and desirable in many arenas of life. But, when it comes to relationships, it can be devastating. Record-keeping and an elephant-like recall of […]
Monday, April 18, 2016
When was the last time you lost your cool? Do you recall a time recently when you allowed something someone said or did to get the best of you? Before you realized it, you reacted in anger, saying something you shouldn’t have said or behaving in a way that embarrassed you or others? Everyday in […]
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Everybody has their “way” of doing things. Our opinion is that our way is the right way, and in some cases, the only way! This creates a lot of stress and tension in relationships. When two people, with two different ways of thinking, try to solve a problem, accomplish a goal, or make a decision, […]
Friday, April 15, 2016
Sometimes the small things we do make a big difference. This is certainly true in our interactions with others. The look on our face, the tone in our voice, the position of our body, all say far more than our words. Communication experts report that as much as 95% of our communication with others is […]
Thursday, April 14, 2016
I recently read a magazine article about an incredible basketball player in the NBA. The writer described this young man’s tremendous skills, impressive stats and amazing work ethic, but what impressed me most was some of the comments from his coaches, management and teammates. They highlighted his humility. They emphasized the fact that his great […]
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Have you ever met a braggart? They’re not pleasant to be around. They’re highly impressed with themselves, and usually oblivious to the achievements, great qualities and gifts of others. They rarely, if ever, see and care about the needs of people around them. We call them self-centered, self-righteous, narcissistic, egomaniacal, and a variety of other […]
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
A few weeks ago I was engaged in a conversation when I noticed something alarming in my heart. Something someone said about another person sparked an ugly internal reaction in me. For a moment I was aware of the devilish feeling of jealousy. And I hated it. I confessed it to God and readjusted my […]
Monday, April 11, 2016
The first Bible verse I remember learning in Sunday school is a short version of Ephesians 4:32, “ … be ye kind one to another ….” It was easy to memorize, but as I’ve learned over the years, it’s a command that’s a lot harder to practice! Merriam Webster’s Dictionary describes a kind person as […]
Monday, April 11, 2016
Join us in The Love Challenge! Each day, for 14 consecutive days, we’re looking at, thinking and praying about the 14 characteristics of love described in the great love chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13. If you haven’t read it recently take a few minutes today and review it. By the way, if you missed […]