It’s Thanksgiving. Time to gather with loved ones, consume a lavish feast and count our blessings—and yet some of us can’t look forward to the celebration. The holidays can represent the bleakest time of year for many people, precisely because of our hopes and expectations about what this season should bring us. What if life doesn’t look like a Hallmark special right now? What if the feast is nothing more than canned soup? Or the turkey tastes like ashes in your mouth because a recent death or divorce has left you reeling? What if you’re too sick to get together with your loved Continue Reading
Search Results for: Why Giving Up
Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore the Hard Words of Jesus
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
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