Ever have ugly moments in your life that dictate your inner dialogue, emotions, and, heaven help you, your reactions? Good. You’re normal. So what does a nice, mature Christian do in such ugly moments? Practicing the Presence of God First of all, admit that you are having a ugly moment
You listen to God, right? I mean, if you don’t you should. And if you’re like me you don’t want to mishear God. Especially if it’s really important information you’re discussing with him. One of the things I’ve been doing this summer is writing a new book on listening to God.
Most of the prayers we pray for our kids are selfish. You know what I mean. You’re worried about one of your kids. Maybe it’s a health crisis, but usually it’s a moral or relational issue. So you pray for them. That’s what loving parents do. But, if we’re really
Do you ever entertain fearful thoughts? Me too. Yet fear is always an assumption of something that hasn’t happened. It’s an expectation of evil. Of evidence that may appear real, but hasn’t been proven. But mostly fear’s a time of living outside of the awareness of God RIGHT NOW. Scary.
I dare you to live an ordinary life. I know. You’d rather be somebody famous. Or sexy. Or rich. How about popular? Forget it. In order to be a change agent for Jesus in the world, you have to be ordinary. Yep, the everyday guy who lives in an ordinary
Admit it. Our lives suck sometimes. You study for a career. You work years at a job. Invest your time and talents to earn a living. You play hard. Spend money on your hobbies and tech toys. And you wonder why you feel unfulfilled. Ditto for me. In Which I
I see Mrs. Talks-a-Lot headed right for me in the K-Mart aisle. Not good. I glance quickly around for an escape route. Finding none, I put on my Christian happy face and hope for a miracle. Admit it. You know exactly what I’m talking about. We all have moments when
I hate it when my life is messed up. Kids. Work. Spouse. Finances. Cancer. Grief. At some point in my journey, each of these has messed up the perfect life I had planned for myself. And I didn’t like it. Neither do you. The biggest obstacle keeping you from living
I have a problem with fairytale endings. Remember the shock of Tinkerbell’s impending death and the relief felt when you clapped your hands and she was revived? OK, maybe I’m having a senior moment, but Tinkerbell’s doom was traumatic for me. As an adult I realize that Tinkerbell has to
Do you know how to listen to people when you are mad at them? I find it difficult. Well . . . maybe I listen, but I don’t hear them. At least not in a way where they feel heard, and until they feel heard, they aren’t going to listen