Last week I wrote my Personal Mission Statement. In a nutshell my mission is – Love the Lord God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and love my neighbor as I love myself.Mark 12:30–31 I used to love from a place of weakness and fear. What do I mean? I believed I had to keep the people I loved…
My dad celebrated his 90th birthday last month. And it made me wonder, if I should be blessed to celebrate nine decades . . . what would people say about me? Do I live my beliefs and values? Do I live intentionally? These question inspired me to work on my personal mission statement . . . a brief…
Do you know anyone who shares their faith through rules, judgments, accusations, and arguments. Do you? Christians who go around “looking like they were baptized in pickle juice” rarely make someone want to join the flock of the faith-filled. On the other hand, have you ever met a believer who has inspired you to want a closer relationship with Jesus. Who’s love,…
“You size people up and write them off, walk away, or refuse to listen. We all do it. But if the sin of others doesn’t break your heart, it’s probably because your heart has never been broken over your own sin. Self-righteousness is the thing Jesus despised most. Judge not.” ~Andy Stanley Jesus despised self-righteous…
“The best film of the year.”— Kyle Smith, New York Post EXPERIENCE THE SNIPER NICKNAMED “LEGEND”IN AMERICAN SNIPERNow available on BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK, DVD and DIGITAL HDFROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT “American Sniper” stars Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, whose skills as a sniper made him a hero on the battlefield. But there was much more…
“It’s not fair!” True! Life’s not fair. We want fair. We want equal. Although, it’s perfectly okay if our family is a little more equal. We want someone to fix poverty. Homeless people make us uncomfortable. We walk down city streets where those with hand outstretched wait for someone to help and we join others in walking…
You and I will worship something. We were created to worship. The question is… Who or what will we worship? Important Quotes and Verses “You cannot divide human beings into those who worship and those who don’t. Everybody worships; it’s just a matter of what or whom.” ~Paul David Praise be to the God and Father…
If some have cause to celebrate, join in the celebration. Romans 12:15a (Voice) I’m joining the celebration. My dad turns 90 on Wednesday. So I’m in Florida getting ready for a Happy Birthday Party. I’m blessed. Dad still … drives a Mustang convertible, serves at his church, enjoys time with friends, and best of all,…
God says “no.” Now what? What are you supposed to do when you feel like God is the One who allowed your broken heart? It is your heart’s desire. And the Bible says,… Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4 But for reasons beyond your ability to understand…
You loved big and now you’re left hurt and angry at the person who broke your heart. Yesterday we talked about surviving rejection, but the truth is Jesus didn’t tell us to simply survive . . . He told us to forgive and love. “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting…
Who didn’t love you? Ten years ago yesterday my heart crumbled. Love refused. Relationship rejected. Maybe your heart was broken by your crush in school. Maybe your parent. Your friend. Your spouse. Your child. It’s impossible to get through life without a broken heart. Unfortunately we can’t make everyone love us. There will be someone or someones who won’t return our love….
“I’ll never be a non-stumbler. I’ll be a forgiven stumbler, but never a non-stumbler.” ~Toby Mac Picture this… Yesterday was one of those days you stumbled so badly that you stumbled into bed relieved it was over. You wanted to “shake it off” like Taylor Swift, or “let it go” like Elsa; but the stumbles were huge. You said…
Studies have shown that doing things for others blesses the giver as well as the recipient. Want increased happiness? Go out and help someone. Research shows that helping others: 1. Increases self-confidence. 2. Combats depression. 3. Generates happiness. 4. Develops patience. 5. Teaches resilience. 6. Improves stress management. [Tweet “We could almost help others for purely selfish motives.”] But. Let’s…
He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! Look closer – Come to the Empty Grave Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and…
I had one of those moments recently when I realized Christians are wrong when… We say it right, but do it wrong. What’s it? Obedience. Why do you obey God? Okay, maybe a better question is why do you try to obey God? To please Him? To earn His favor? To look good at church?…
I want to listen. I haven’t always wanted to listen. Do you know a little girl who just loves the sound of her own voice? Who loved to coo and babble, learned words early, and felt the need to share them at every opportunity? That was me. I was a good talker. But I don’t want to be…
I want to pour myself into this space. I want to love you well. I don’t want to preach at you or talk to you about rules and religion. I want to love you well. I want to tell you how God’s love worked its way into my heart; how He replaced fear with faith….
Have you ever thrown a party and waited and waited and no one came? I have. It wasn’t a birthday party or holiday celebration; it was a basket party. When I finally admitted the consultant and I were on our own, I bought enough baskets to reach the party quota and decided to never host an in…
It seems that promises and cynicism go together like PB and J. Try looking up quotes about promises and most talk about failure and disappointment. Everyone knows the quote: “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Yet unkept promises are things we’ve learned to accept as the norm. If you’re tired of and discouraged by broken promises keep reading ….
You know the verses. Light, sky, land, sun, moon, stars, sea, animals—then the sixth day of creation… So God created human beings in His image. Genesis 1:27 Imageo Dei – being made in God’s likeness means we are creative, spiritual, and relational. We can think and communicate, and we’re able to love. But… Maybe it’s because a…
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26 Jesus lived to teach us the truth of God’s love. Jesus died to take our punishment and remove our sins. Jesus rose…
