When I stop and think about how powerful written words are, it’s really quite astounding. To me, anyway! For example, as I sit at my desk writing these words, right next to me is a pile of notes I received from high school students last May for Teacher Appreciation Week. And ya know, it’s one…
Category: Christian Living
A Challenge to Follow Jesus’ Example of Solitude
How often do you get away from the hustle and bustle of life? No matter what life season you’re in, you’re probably surrounded by something. It may be kids and their busy schedules, or it may be volunteer commitments you’ve made. You might be surrounded by technology and the distractions that come from phones, computers,…
How to Set a Christlike Example Under Pressure
One of my favorite sports events of this past summer was the NBA playoffs. I keep up with the NBA loosely, watching games here and there. But when the playoffs roll around, I tune in a lot more frequently. Why? It’s different watching playoff basketball than regular season basketball! The stakes are higher, which means…
When to Care About What Other People Think
One thing I often struggle with is being too worried about what other people think about me. In fact, as I think over just my past 24 hours, I can think of several times I was stressing (not too seriously, but it was on my mind nonetheless) about what other people might be thinking about…
Seeing Obedience in a Whole New Light
The word obedience doesn’t immediately fill me with happy, joyful thoughts. What about you? When I think about being obedient, for some reason I seem to automatically think about situations when I need to submit to another person even if I don’t want to. The dictionary definition of obedience doesn’t help make the word seem…
Practical Ways to Block Out the World’s Distractions
My parents don’t watch much TV, but when they do, they enjoy the entertainment value of commercials right alongside whatever it is they’re viewing. If we’re ever watching TV together, usually a sporting event of some kind, they let me know when one of the commercials they like comes on. And I usually am unable…
The Power of Starting and Finishing Each Day Strong
What are some times when it’s really important to start strong and finish strong? The first thing that comes to my mind is an athletic competition. Whether it’s a game, a race, a match or a meet, strong starts and finishes are crucial. If you don’t start well, you might find yourself in a hole…
10 Ways to Take an Easy Step Toward God
Have you ever faced a seemingly insurmountable task? …something that just felt impossible? Maybe it was something that was going to require a considerable amount of time and energy, and simply thinking about the enormity of the job ahead stopped you from getting started. Sometimes thinking about the perceived size of a looming task or…
How to be The One Who Makes a Difference
There’s always one. Right? There’s always that one coworker who’s difficult to get along with, that one person who leaves frustrating comments on your social media posts, that one family member who gives you grief about a certain topic, or that one friend who stubbornly insists on doing things her way. There’s always one! For…
A Reflection on the Leadership of Your Life
Who or what leads your life? When you make decisions, what is your underlying motive? A leader is such a difference maker. Whether it’s the leader of your family, your workplace, your church, your Bible study group, or maybe even your friend group. The leader carries incredible influence and power. At the school where I…