Be Prepared
“Got your food bar and water bottle?” “Yep.” “What about your spikes?” “Yep.” So went the conversation just before my son left for school the day of his first track meet of the season. I wanted him to...
View ArticleGoing Public
For many people, myself included, telling others about Jesus seems a bit like telling people about Amway. At least, the discomfort (fear?) ahead of time feels similar, and the reaction received is also...
View ArticlePurposeful Remembering
“Don’t Forget to Remember” looked at the thread of “remembering” found throughout Scripture. Understanding this thread helps instruct us in why, what and how remembering should take place in our lives....
View ArticleA Pleasant Aroma?
Coffee Snob Sauteing onions. Anything tropical. Blankets dried outside. All smells I enjoy. Each one brings to mind a pleasant thought or memory. My favorite aroma, though, is coffee. It draws me in,...
View ArticleHappy Birthday to Me
Middle age struck three years ago, and I muffled through the passing as quietly as possible. Since then, I prefer not to even talk about my age most of the time. (Okay, not at all, actually.)...
View ArticleBelieving is Seeing
Until the recent past, shopping existed as therapy and a way to for a least a little while forget about life’s struggles. I loved finding good deals and saving money on unplanned purchases. Loved the...
View ArticlePursuing Encouragement
Discouragement, like people, comes in all shapes and sizes. Regardless of the shape or the size or the person, discouragement stinks. Deflated. Struggle without progress. Stuck. Directionless. Yep,...
View ArticlePursuing Encouragement Through Scripture
During a season of discouragement, I can’t convince myself that it’s going to end. Current discouragement always seems permanent. When discouraged, Scripture often frustrates me. I understand little to...
View ArticlePursuing Encouragement Through Fellowship
As an introvert, spending time alone comes quite easily for me. As a writer, aloneness is often required for productivity. Even though my career and my personality promote solitude, and I really do...
View ArticleBE Encouraged
God gives Christians a variety of ways to receive encouragement, including through scripture, through the Holy Spirit and through fellowship with other Christians. All of these provide consistent and...
View ArticleGo, Set A Watchman
Earlier this year, I read “Go Set A Watchman” by Harper Lee. While the book disappointed, the title stirred my curiosity. After a quick search, I discovered the inspiration for the title and went on a...
View ArticleThe Reality of Your Focus
Notice the Theme In Star Wars I: Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon Jinn directs young Anakin toward a way of thinking that really drives the entire movie series: “Always remember, your focus determines your...
View ArticleBecoming A Defensive Christian
Defense Wins Championships Superbowl 50 brought a lot of controversy and drama. Fortunately, a good game took place too. In fact, the game produced one of the best defensive battles I’ve seen since I...
View ArticleAssessing Your Armor-Wearing Habits
Spiritual Heaviness About every other time I get my teeth cleaned, the hygienist takes x-rays of my mouth. Before she takes them, she puts a lead blanket over my torso to protect my vital organs from...
View ArticleObtaining & Maintaining A Strong Core
In general, people exercise for one reason — to be healthy. Many take that further and aim for higher levels of fitness and strength. In addition, the types of exercises undertaken are many and varied...
View ArticleGoing Backward So You Can Move Forward
Unfortunately, my history with backing up a vehicle is somewhat embarrassing. Here’s the rather humbling list: Backing into the school van during driver’s training while learning to parallel park...
View ArticleStability Amidst Constant Change
Strange Things Are Happening Wrinkles. Slowing metabolism. Almost constant aches and pains. Physical changes resulting from aging. Driving. Dating. Independence. Teen boys growing into adults. Life’s...
View ArticleStruggle to Victory by Crushing Doubts
Note: I am participating in the writing contest “Writers Crushing Doubt,” hosted by Positive Writer.” This post is my entry for that contest. Overwhelmed. Overlooked. Taken for granted. Words that...
View ArticleConvenient Confusion
Whey my boys were younger, they were quick to say, “I’m sorry” when they messed up. Sometimes, they said it for the millionth time about the same mistake. When this happened, my response sounded...
View Article5 Ways to Thrive Under Construction
In Michigan, there’s always some sort of road construction going on somewhere. They say you can’t drive more than 6 miles from any point in Michigan without coming to a lake (there are 11,000 inland...
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