Do you like getting gifts? Of course, you do. Who doesn’t? It’s normal for children to start making lists of the presents they want for their birthday or Christmas long before they can write. And many of us still have lists of things we want, just in case someone’s interested . . . decades later. You and…
Are you blessed and happy? Do you want to be? If you’re like me, you’re thinking . . . doesn’t everybody? Looking around it’s easy to draw the conclusion that happiness is the result of our circumstances and desires aligning. But Jesus answer to finding happiness is very different. How to be Blessed and Happy Very…
You need stillness. It’s important for your faith and your health! But being still is almost impossible. It is for me and maybe it is for you too! With technology, appliances, entertainment, etc – noise is a constant in most homes, workplaces, and whatever method you use to get from one to the other. In…
Ooh, you’re angry. You want to let them have it . . . a full-blown verbal attack. Or even better, you could tell your friends. Really, people should know. It could protect them in the future. And it would feel so good. Because . . . well, this was just wrong and you’re furious! I understand. I’ve been…
Norman Vincent Peale said, “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” I’m not sure I completely agree with that, but I do believe changing your thoughts will change your attitude and that will definitely change your view of the world. So… If you want to be more patient you have to stop thinking impatience. Things…
I’m overwhelmed by God’s patient love for countless reasons, but there’s one time that stands out in my mind and flattens me. Years ago, I had a want. It wasn’t a bad want. In fact, I would say it was a good want. But it was not something God wanted for me. At least not at that…
I had two goals for this month-long look at humility. To have humility in my: Relationship with God To know God more . . . not about Him but Him. To sit at His feet with awe and wonder. To pay closer attention to what He is doing around me. To spend less time thinking…
They’re everywhere. You may even live with one or two or… The proud, entitled, gotta have it my way, overbearing, snooty, difficult to get along with… whatever you call them. It’s hard not to get caught up in their drama. It’s hard not to lose your temper. It’s hard not to let them rob your…
Has your number changed? On a scale of 1 to 10 – If 1 is proud (completely self-focused) and 10 is humble (completely God and others focused) where would you fall? Proud 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 …
Do you want to be content? Satisfied? Are you tired of chasing promises only to be left wanting? Everywhere you turn you hear: You deserve the best . . . you’re worth it! You deserve happiness and having the best will make you happy! Never settle for less than you deserve. Demand the best, accept…
Monday I asked you to rate yourself from 1 to 10 on the humility scale. Proud 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Humble I’ve spent hours since thinking about numbers and how we rate ourselves. The number on the scale. The…
Let me begin by saying I’m a little nervous about this month’s topic. Why? Because every month of doing The Faith Project I’ve not only had opportunities to learn and grow, I’ve had plenty of occasions to practice . . . to live out the discussion. Let me explain… I once heard a pastor preach on…
Everyone wants to be happy. Don’t they? I do. I’m guessing you do too. We may not all agree on how to get there, but the desire for happiness is natural and universal. And it’s that natural desire for happiness that made possible the birth of a lie. God wants you to be happy. It’s not that God…
My dad likes to tell the story of how he almost tried to talk me out of taking my first teaching position because the salary was so small. I had just graduated from college and received a call to teach at a small Christian school in St. Louis, where Rev would attend seminary. I wanted…
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…
Earlier this week, I tweeted: Don’t be shy. God wants us to ask . . . often. http://snip.ly/7kwl8 8 Steps to an Action Plan for Growing in Wisdom #Faith And received the following reply: I’m curious how you discovered God wants us to ask things? Great question? Right? I answered by saying that Jesus told His…
You’re tired. You’ve done it your way long enough. You’re ready for a change, but how? Jesus’ brother, James wrote: If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 If you need wisdom. Ask. That’s it? But you’re nervous….
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…
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…
