Discipline
Offended Christians
This is a reprint from a 2019 post, but because I have been having conversations with a lot of “offended” brothers and sisters in Christ, it’s worth re-posting. They are living in an “upset state of mind” over conversations, issues, and flat out gossip, for which they have no context: re-living (daily) the venomous words these moments have created- with no healing in sight. Being an offended christian is neither healthy nor pretty. What’s the deal about Christians being offended?…
Bad Marriage Advice
We’ve all heard it. Someone, somewhere gave another human marriage advice so spectacularly bad that we cringed a little bit inside. Usually this someone was on a reality show. Or at a relative’s wedding. Those unfortunate platitudes are easy to spot and just as easy to brush aside. Slightly more dangerous, however, are those bits of advice that seem very applicable and true on the surface, but become somewhat problematic if you look at them a little closer. Here are…
Boundaries – Do Good Fences Make Good Neighbors?
Most of us have heard that phrase – good fences make good neighbors. But is that true? After all, aren’t we supposed to be breaking down barriers rather than putting them up? Don’t walls just keep people apart? Well, yes…and no. Let’s dive in, shall we? History time! If we could go back in time to the Old West and journey beyond the borders of the Ponderosa and past the OK Corral, we would find ourselves embroiled in an age-old…
What is Mindfulness?
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 “Mindfulness” is one of those words that has become trendy in the past few years, particularly as discussion of mental health has increased in the public sphere. But what is it? Put simply, it is the practice (and it does take practice)…
Growth-What I’m Learning about My Purpose
Each of us is born with a unique life purpose. For some of us, our purpose in life is obvious and clear. Some of us are born with a set of talents and through persistent practice, we develop our talents into skills and it may help lead us to our purpose. Yet for others, myself included, it isn’t easy to identify your purpose. We are told to find something you like and pursue it with a passion. I like a…
Parent Up! A Friend Indeed
Friends. Joy or drama? Tears or laughter? I know I’ve said it before, but I think it’s worth repeating; Our kids learn how to be friends based on what they hear and see from their peers and adults around them. What does being a friend mean? Have you given your child language to differentiate between the various spectrums of what it means to be friends (from having a friend to confide in, befriending the new kid on the block, or…
Big and Tiny
Y’all, Do you ever think about the fact that we’re living on a SPINNING PLANET and no one is flying or falling off? Come on now. All the things that have to be in order for this to be. God spoke. There was order – PERIOD. (brain exploding) AND THEN, I get to see Him up close and personal in my life…. Looking at my children, specifically my girl- born premature. A tiny, tiny, little thing. Every breath she took was a…
Study Habits
It’s Monday morning at 6:45. You’re calling out to the kids to hurry up so they can grab breakfast before the school bus comes. They come barrelling into the kitchen, backpacks are on their backs, but books, papers, and pencil pouch are in their hand. In your most calm voice you say “why are you carrying your things? Put them in your backpack, Sweetie. To which one or both of them respond, I forgot to Waaa, Waaa, Waah. In your…
Offended Christians
What’s the deal about Christians being offended? Let me start by saying we are all humans, which means we experience physical moments on our spiritual journey. So yes, we may be hurt by people. However, we should be distinguishable in how we deal with our “hurt” feelings. Christians are some of the most easily offended people in the world, when in reality we should be the least. If we are discerning, we ignore gossip, we address concerns directly with the…
A Good Listener
The art of being a good listener is becoming more and more of a lost art. Face to face and even phone conversations are no longer the primary way we communicate. Our interactions are primarily through the computer and cell phone where we email or text in terse, abbreviated, and frequently misunderstood modes. When we do have in-person conversations, these same devices turn us into one of Pavlov’s dogs, immediately turning our attention the minute we hear a ding. It’s nearly…
One Thing
Sometimes you just need a laugh. You know those days when you wake up with a to-do list a mile long and you’re already stressing. So let’s hit the rewind button and start over. State in your mind FIRST what is most important. God is your rock and your refuge. Seek Him first. Secondly, learn to recognize when you start to drift away from what is most important. Repeat out loud what is most important to you. Thirdly, Reclaim your…
Get your HEC in check
Let’s cut to the chase. If we’re being honest, We’ve parented more than we want to out of our emotions. You know, those days we were tired, frustrated, frazzled, and hungry, and we let those emotions determine how we interacted with our children. I am thankful for family and friends who would make me question my actions after days like that and tell me to get my H.E.C. (HEC) in check. (sidebar: you need some of those people in your life) Hunger, Energy, Cravings,…
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