It's almost Christmas, the season where we focus on Jesus as a helpless babe lying in a manger, gentle, meek and mild. But Jesus isn't a magic baby. He's our living Lord. And truth be told, he isn't so very meek and mild. I've been reading Luke this month, a chapter a day. I want to remind myself again of who Jesus really is. I want to listen to his words, life-giving and soul-shredding all at once. It's one thing to live by the Golden Rule. How about some of Jesus' more difficult words? Here are some in Luke's gospel: Jesus said we should Continue Reading
Search Results for: Why Giving Up
Why You Can’t Afford to Re-Define Courage
Nobody wants to be a wimp. You like the idea of being the hero who saves the day, right? Me, too. Courage is an important virtue. Without it, we fail to stand up for ourselves and others. We let evil rule while we run for cover. Remember the beginning of "It's a Wonderful Life," starring Jimmy Stewart? Clarence, the angel assigned to help George Bailey, wants to know what George is struggling with. "Is he sick?" he queries. "Worse," comes the reply. "He's discouraged." Or the moment in "Toy Story" when Buzz Light Year realizes he is Continue Reading
Why Can’t I Give Advice if I Know Good Stuff?
So, embarrassing story ... I'm at Bible study, and the leader is explaining that when we share our prayer requests at the end of the evening, it's not a time to give advice. "Women love to jump in and try to help each other," she explains, "but let's just pray for each other." Right, I'm thinking. Got it. Yet an hour later, after we've prayed, I lean over to the woman who had shared a health concern and ask if she's heard of this one nutritional supplement I've had some success with. Oops! Apparently, I couldn't just leave it at prayer. Timing isn't my only issue when it Continue Reading
Increase Your Joy This Thanksgiving
Our children are some of the best gifts we will ever receive … but we often miss the joy that could be ours as parents. As I tried on clothes in the changing rooms of a department store recently, I couldn’t help but tune in to the conversation between a mother and little girl in a nearby stall. “Oh, come on. Stop doing that…I’m not going to dress you for the rest of your life, you know. Don’t do it that way. Oh, hurry up. I told you, stop that!” were some tidbits from Mom. Predictably, the little girl’s replies to her irate mother became more defensive and high-pitched every minute. “I’m Continue Reading