No more hiding behind the image of pseudo-perfection. I was a mess. Embarrassingly so. I needed answers, but even more than answers I needed help, comfort, peace, and hope. I needed God. Not a deal or a bargain for a life that looks good, but the real living presence of God. That was the beginning of…
“A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities.” ~William Arthur Ward Are you blessed with good friends? People who believe in you, encourage you, and point you toward hope when you don’t…
You make goals and plans. You set high bars for yourself and your children. But what does it take to make those things happen? To be successful? “Four steps to achievement: Plan purposefully. Prepare prayerfully. Proceed positively. Pursue persistently.” ~William Arthur Ward An achievement is the successful completion of an accomplishment either by hard work,…
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…
Are you great? Do you want to be? What does it take? Here’s a list of important truths that promise to help you be great the person you were created to be! Are you great? Do you want to be? How would people in your life answer those questions about you? Greatness defined: The property…
I’m always looking for quotes by teachers who inspire me to be and do better coming from a perspective of faith—love for God and people. William Arthur Ward is one of those teachers. He authored Fountains of Faith and hundreds of articles and poems. Ward is one of the most quoted Americans of the 20th Century. Born in 1921, he served for…
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,…
The dictionary defines Sin as … deliberate disobedience to the known will of God. But that is a watered-down meaning of sin. If we believe that only deliberate disobedience is sin, it’s easy for us to think of ourselves as good. Are you seeing a little self-righteousness here? And if we don’t see our sin … we…
“Couples who are most committed, intimate, and satisfied in their relationship are those who appreciate each other’s achievements . . . the happiest husbands and wives were those who made the biggest deal out of good things that happened to them.” ~Ladies Home Journal Do you agree? Are you a celebrator of good things ….
“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…
“The time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23–24 Is this one of those verses you…
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,…
Are you passionate about your prayer-life? Most passionate pray-ers say the more they pray . . . the more they want to pray. The following quotes and verses inspired me. I hope they inspire you too. 20 Quotes to Inspire Your Prayer-Life “With the help of the Holy Ghost, we can watch over ourselves. We can pray…
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…
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:26 This is my life verse. I hold it close and speak it throughout the day. It reminds me that in everything—it’s not about me. God gave me this verse as He worked to heal my broken…
You loved big and now you’re left hurt and angry. 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 a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live…
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….
