Real tests often come when we’ve accomplished our goals; our nets are full, our name and reputation are spoken well of, and we feel we have “arrived” in life or in our career. But what happens when Jesus appears and invites us to join Him elsewhere? Do we stay in the boat with our accomplishments or do we jump in the water and swim to follow Him? “Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the... Read more
Where do you go when you find yourself frustrated, stressed, or overwhelmed? I don’t know about you, but there have been many times in my life I’ve felt overwhelmed, under pressure, and incapable of handling my circumstances. Through the years, I’ve learned, that the first and best place to turn is to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on my knees in a position of complete surrender. “Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter... Read more
When we walk with someone, we spend time getting to know them, we take the time to ask and answer questions, we listen attentively to their point of view, and we learn things about them that otherwise, we might not know. The same is true when we take the time to walk with God. In Genesis 5:21-24 we read of a man named Enoch who began walking with God after he turned sixty-five years old –– and he continued walking... Read more
Do you realize that forgiving someone is actually a gift to yourself and holding onto unforgiveness actually leads to bitterness and pain that keep you stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts and emotions? Forgiving someone who has hurt us is not a feeling or an emotion, it’s a choice. First, we choose to forgive, and then our emotions begin to heal as God mends our heart. Forgiveness is not contingent on the other person’s attitude, response or even on... Read more
Do you open your Bible and read words that address your exact situation? Do you hear sermons and think they’re speaking directly to you? Could it be — they are? How often do you recognize God’s efforts to get your attention? One of my all-time favorite books is Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. This book has inspired millions of readers to encounter God on a deeper, more personal level. I remember reading Blackaby’s book shortly after it was published in the... Read more
A primary element of every good relationship is healthy communication. Better communication leads to better relationships. That’s why it’s important we avoid the four main conversation killers. Criticism, Defensiveness, Stonewalling, and Contempt are negative responses in communication. Drs. John and Julie Gottman call these The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and say these statistically predict the end of relationships.[1] The quicker we recognize these destructive habits and the harder we work to eliminate them from our conversations, the more enjoyable... Read more
We’ve all heard the quips and Bible quotes that tell us, “God has a good purpose and plan for your life”, but do we really believe that? Do we really believe God has a good purpose for us when something or someone challenges us? Or, do we allow doubt and despair to creep in and take over? Once, while I was in a prolonged unemployment season, I had a job interview at a media broadcast station. The interview began cordially but then with an... Read more
What do you believe and how often do you stand up for your beliefs? What would you do to ensure your desired standards and convictions are protected? For years I’ve heard it said, “You’ve gotta stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.” A version of this saying appeared in a Methodist church announcement in an Iowa newspaper in 1926 and it’s commonly repeated in numerous and varying settings. God’s Word repeatedly warns us to be on guard and stand... Read more
I’m sure I’m not the only one who had no clue “what” or “who” a SAGE Con is –– right? When I ran across the reference to this title in a recent article, I had to stop, pull out my handy-dandy dictionary –– Google ––, and look it up. According to the Barna Group, a SAGE Con is a Spiritually Active Governance Engaged Conservative. Let’s break that down. The word SAGE Con, I discovered, is an acrostic used to describe... Read more
Sometimes we pray for a certain thing, believing it will truly be good for us, only to realize that God’s unanswered prayer was actually a blessing in disguise. I can relate to Garth Brooks’ famous song “Unanswered Prayers”: Sometimes I thank God, for unanswered prayers Remember when you’re talkin’, to the man upstairs And just because he doesn’t answer, doesn’t mean he don’t care Some of God’s greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers Granted this is a very “southern” way of stating... Read more
Courage for Life
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