Active Remembering
When we “Don’t Forget to Remember” and live with “Purposeful Remembering,” we keep God’s activity and character throughout history and in our own lives fresh in a way that fuels our faith. This active...
View ArticleA Pleasant Aroma?
Coffee Snob Sauteing onions. Anything tropical. Blankets dried outside. All smells I enjoy. Each one brings to mind a pleasant thought or memory. My favorite aroma, though, is coffee. It draws me in,...
View ArticleHappy Birthday to Me
Middle age struck three years ago, and I muffled through the passing as quietly as possible. Since then, I prefer not to even talk about my age most of the time. (Okay, not at all, actually.)...
View ArticleWhat is your fear doing?
What does fear look like in your life? I’m afraid of being buried alive or being tortured, but luckily the chances of that happening are slim to none. The books I read and the movies I watch (Lord of...
View ArticleSpiritual Fitness
My home gym contains everything I need stay in good physical shape. The treadmill, elliptical and boxing bag give me great cardio workouts. The kettle bell, weights and stability ball provide strength...
View ArticlePursuing Encouragement
Discouragement, like people, comes in all shapes and sizes. Regardless of the shape or the size or the person, discouragement stinks. Deflated. Struggle without progress. Stuck. Directionless. Yep,...
View ArticlePursuing Encouragement Through Scripture
During a season of discouragement, I can’t convince myself that it’s going to end. Current discouragement always seems permanent. When discouraged, Scripture often frustrates me. I understand little to...
View ArticlePursuing Encouragement Through the Holy Spirit
The church I attended from birth to age 18 talked a lot about the Holy Trinity with most of the focus being on God. We also tossed around Jesus’ name some but mostly just at Christmas and Easter. We...
View ArticlePursuing Encouragement Through Fellowship
As an introvert, spending time alone comes quite easily for me. As a writer, aloneness is often required for productivity. Even though my career and my personality promote solitude, and I really do...
View ArticleBE Encouraged
God gives Christians a variety of ways to receive encouragement, including through scripture, through the Holy Spirit and through fellowship with other Christians. All of these provide consistent and...
View ArticleGo, Set A Watchman
Earlier this year, I read “Go Set A Watchman” by Harper Lee. While the book disappointed, the title stirred my curiosity. After a quick search, I discovered the inspiration for the title and went on a...
View ArticlePatience is a Virtue
Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher who lived from 535-475BC, made the following connection between patience and character. “Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by...
View ArticleBalanced Goal Setting
Goal setting has existed in a variety of shapes and sizes for me over the years. I’ve attempted what others have recommended, and some of it worked… sort of… for a little while anyway. In that, I’ve...
View ArticlePursuing A Quiet Life
Focusing on Quiet The Christians in Thessalonica were accused of stirring up discontent (Acts 17:6-9). So Paul encourages them to live respectable and modest lives for the purpose of putting to rest...
View ArticleThe Reality of Your Focus
Notice the Theme In Star Wars I: Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon Jinn directs young Anakin toward a way of thinking that really drives the entire movie series: “Always remember, your focus determines your...
View ArticleLearning Humility from an Astronaut
In “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth,” Col. Chris Hadfield says that in new situations, people are generally viewed in one of three ways. Based on their attitude and actions, they may be seen as a...
View ArticleObtaining & Maintaining A Strong Core
In general, people exercise for one reason — to be healthy. Many take that further and aim for higher levels of fitness and strength. In addition, the types of exercises undertaken are many and varied...
View ArticlePut Your Behind in the Past
In this scene, Simba finally moves forward after attempting to forget his past. He realizes forgetting is not only impossible, but doing so denies who he is as well as holds impact well beyond himself....
View Article5 Ways to Upgrade Your Attitude
The word “upgrade” leaped to a whole new level in the world of marketing over the past several of years. When you go on a cruise to the Caribbean, you’re encouraged to “upgrade your diamonds.” At...
View ArticleHow to Not Exasperate Your Children
Do you exasperate your children? Ephesians 6:4 gives this advice regarding parenting… “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”...
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