I grew up memorizing Bible verses for school. One or two verses every week recited to the teacher or written on paper each Friday. But it’s been years since I’ve hidden any new verses in my heart, and I’m old enough that the King James Version was the translation I committed to memory. It’s time…
Everyone wants to be happy. Some people think it’s what life is all about . . . being happy. But what if it takes wisdom to be truly happy? We spend our lives trying to find that person, place, or thing that will make us happy. Solomon had something to say about this: I observed…
If asked, how would you define wisdom? Wisdom: 1) The ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight. 2) The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting. Based on those definitions, everyone, Jesus follower or not, would consider wisdom valuable for success, safety, and well-being. But this…
I’m not normally a stubborn person. Really. I’m not. But when the nurse stuck her head in pre-op and told me it was time to leave I didn’t budge. Thankfully, the lovely woman shaving Rev’s chest agreed—her affirmation helped me stay by his side a little longer. A little later the kids told me a…
You would think love would be an easy subject, wouldn’t you? We toss around the word all the time. I love this or that post. I love good coffee. I love Ted Drewes Custard (it’s a St. Louis thing). I love babies and puppies and quiet afternoons. And that’s just the top of the list…
How to love the unlovely. I planned this in my editorial schedule weeks ago. Back when it seemed far away and easy to write. But it’s not at all easy… This is a hard. I wonder if it’s hard for you too. Loving the unlovely. The less than lovable. Loving when everything in you and me…
Stranger danger… is the danger to children and adults, presented by strangers. The phrase stranger danger is intended to sum up the danger associated with adults whom adults/children do not know. (Wikipedia) And because of stranger danger we: Don’t talk with strangers. Don’t walk with strangers. Don’t… In fact, children are told to run the…
“And the second is equally as important.” Equally important to loving God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength is… Loving your neighbor as you love yourself. Matthew 22:39 This one’s hard isn’t it? Loving imperfect people? People can’t see our hearts. They can’t tell how much we love God . . . except by…
I don’t know about you, but I struggle with the idea of self-love. If you Google “love yourself” you’ll find a plethora of thoughts on the subject . . . some good, some not. So I went to the Bible and searched for “love yourself” there, and… 10 places in the Bible it says, “Love…
You can read tons of posts about loving or not loving the church, but the truth is it’s not the church that frustrates us. It’s the people in the church. The church as the family of believers. And… Families are messy and church families are no exception because any time you put imperfect people together ….
Love is in the air and I’m excited! It’s February so of course, The Faith Project has to examine and live out love. What can you expect? Ways to live out loud our love for God, and tips and ideas to help you apply the 5 Love Languages to your relationships. I believe intentionally looking for…
Bring Good News to the poor.Proclaim that captives will be released, The blind will see, and the oppressed will be set free. Those words may sound familiar. They come from Sunday’s Bible readings found in Luke 4 and I’m guessing the subject preached on from many pulpits. I don’t often share my thoughts on Sunday’s sermon here…
Did you know . . . it’s award season? I know how could you miss it. Right? Countless celebrities looking for their trophy and recognition. But the celebrities aren’t alone are they? We all want that “I’m better than you are” recognition. We’re always keeping score. In our career. Our lifestyle. Our parenting. Then there’s our…
Are you committed to your daily planner? I start every year with good intentions. I buy the “perfect” planner. This year I even bought stickers, stamps, and decorative tape. Really. I love all those cute planner posts I see on Pinterest and in my head, I want one that beautifully documents my days. But in…
You’ve heard the quote from Martin Luther, “Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly.” I woke up the other morning with the words “sin boldly” on my mind. Not your typical opening thought for the day? Not mine either. I believe it was God’s nudge for me…
I chose freedom as my first focus word for change in The Faith Project because although I can’t remember a time when I didn’t believe in Jesus as my Savior, I haven’t always lived in His freedom and I want that to change. I want to know more. To dig deeper. And to live out that…
I like “noise.” I can spend the first few hours of the day in silence, but by mid-morning my music goes on, and later it’s the television. It took a long time, but I finally realized that I work better when background noise forces me to concentrate. Thank-you ADD. I do wonder if constant noise…
It’s hard to overcome negativity. I’ve had times when it seemed like the gray cloud above me stretched as far as I could see in every direction. Friends and family would remind me of blessings they could see in my life. And although I knew they were right, what wasn’t loomed larger than what was . . . at least…
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…
