Category
Relationships
“What are these people’s stories? How did they end up here?”, I wondered, when I first met some of the residents at a homeless shelter a group of us volunteered at for a week. Some of them fit the stereotype—“grungy”,… Continue Reading →
“There is a way that seems right to a [person] but its end is the way to death.” Prov.14:12 Last week our family visited a sea turtle conservation center, where they bring rescued sea turtles for rehabilitation and treatment to… Continue Reading →
Have you ever met someone that “comes on too strong”? We can interpret “strong” in many ways—aggressive, opinionated, overbearing, talkative, friendly, enthusiastic, etc. While some of these are obviously negative, some traits can be positive, such as friendly and engaging…. Continue Reading →
People are often surprised by encouragement. Why? 1) Low self-esteem—they don’t believe they deserve encouragement. In their minds/hearts, they’re not good enough. Or what they did wasn’t good enough. Or what they plan on trying to do won’t be good… Continue Reading →
“’Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.’” (Luke 3:11) Moms like to muse. Especially as we’re getting older and missing those younger days when our children were… Continue Reading →
Late last year I learned something about myself that I didn’t realize before—I really don’t like to need or accept help! And here, all these years, I thought I was one of those “hopelessly/happily dependent females” – the kind that… Continue Reading →
In Part 1, we looked at the dangers of counterproductive thought patterns, and how such “stinking thinking” results in terrible feeling, behavior, and relational breakdown. We investigated the first two major categories of this– mindreading and mind-feeding—then how to recognize… Continue Reading →
Have you ever found yourself spiraling down, down, down, into depression, discouragement, and despair? When that happens, the source is always counterproductive (usually negative) thought patterns, aka “stinking thinking”! But don’t despair over despair! What gets us down can also… Continue Reading →
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9) “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace… Continue Reading →
Take a look at any leaders, past or present, who you and others consider truly great. Now consider those leaders, past or present, who you and most sane people consider terrible. What’s the main difference? Charisma (dynamic personality)? Competence (skill… Continue Reading →
Last week a good friend, D., came over, who happens to be an opera-singer quality soprano that has blessed many, including me, with her God-given vocal talent My husband, a wonderful, sweet, tenor, came home from work while my friend… Continue Reading →
How many times has this scenario happened to you– You have a disagreement with someone you care about– Emotions rise, voices raise with them, anger boils over, both of you get hurt, and one or both of you marches away… Continue Reading →
How many times have you felt like saying, or actually said, “How many times have I told you…?!”? You wish people would listen and really get it the first time. A second time can be ok, considering all the stuff… Continue Reading →
Jesus’ teaching and His miracles were generating a dedicated group of followers. He was simultaneously facing increased hostility from the religious leaders. The opposition against Jesus reached a climax as the religious leaders sought to rid themselves of this iconoclastic… Continue Reading →
I recently saw a funny-yet-profound post on Facebook—a picture of a front yard with an inflatable turkey and inflatable Santa next to each other. The turkey, standing upright, had evidently knocked the Santa on its back, since it was declaring,… Continue Reading →
