The Backwardness of New Year’s Resolutions

As Christians, we realize (or should realize) that salvation is free. It’s not something we can earn and there is nothing we can ever do to deserve it. That’s the beauty of it. We were once lost and helpless…we needed hope and direction and God sent His Son to set us free from the sinful state of the world we were born into. We made the decision, asked Jesus into our heart, and then the trouble began… Read more

No Reason to Complain…You Already Won the Lottery

If you truly grasp the fact that your sins are forgiven….not in a fleeting way, but actually and consciously make yourself aware of this truth, what can there possibly be to complain about?

You have to admit it, we all do…We are tremendously spoiled. We often sit around contemplating what we would do if we won the lottery, but have you ever considered that you already have? Read more

Finding the Place of Contentment

Webster’s Dictionary defines contentment as: a feeling of calm satisfaction.

As we approach these last days before Christmas, I suppose I could write to you about a million other topics. We could talk about last minute gifts, family traditions, or the real meaning of the season. Instead, I feel that a root issue among many Christians today is contentment.

Peace and contentment go hand in hand, since you really can’t have one without the other. When we find ourselves discontented or lacking peace, we often look to the wrong things for relief. Our culture teaches us that our internal problems and feelings are a direct result of outside circumstances. If we feel discontented, we often think that a nice holiday, new goals, more money, or a trip to the mall for some retail therapy will ease our pain. Maybe we feel discontented because of a strained relationship and we think that if we could just make it better, everything would be okay. Read more

Are You Passing Life’s Tests?

If you haven’t read the book, A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, go ahead and put it on your Christmas list. This powerful book takes you through a 40 day spiritual journey that will help you to answer life’s most important question, “What on earth am I here for?” Once you’ve read the book in its entirety, it is still a good one to keep by the bedside for reference purposes. Opening mine to a random page the other day, took me to a paragraph that has stuck with me all week. It was about tests…

Why Are We Tested? Read more

It Aint Over Til It’s Over..

Originally credited to baseball Hall of Famer, Yogi Berra, this is an applicable phrase for many of us today.

Usually, I try to generalize my blog posts so that they can apply in some way to everyone…Not today. Today I’m specifically speaking to people who feel they are used up, thrown away, and don’t have any chances left. Maybe you’ve been through a painful divorce, the death of a loved one or even the death of a child. Maybe you’ve been the victim of verbal abuse, a spouse that has been unfaithful, or fired from a job that you’ve proudly held for years. Things like this can send you reeling, leaving you feeling betrayed and even abandoned by God.

Before you fall too far into a state of confusion, hurt, and bitterness…let’s take a look at what God says about our pain and suffering here on earth. Read more

Constant Contact With God….Is it Possible?

Whether you are new in your Christianity, or have been walking with God for years, the need for constant contact with Him does not change. Just like food is a necessary to meet your physical needs, contact with God strengthens you and keeps you centered.

What is Constant Contact with God?

I’m glad you asked….I’ll start off by telling you what constant contact with God is NOT, and then we’ll work on what it is.

Constant contact with God does not mean that you need to ignore your every day duties, join a convent, or put your life on hold while you develop a relationship with your Creator. Often, individuals who have a true desire for a relationship with God, end up feeling overwhelmed when trying to pinpoint exactly what it is. This is proven by how many times we hear the reasoning involved. Have you ever heard someone say, “I’d like to pray more…I just can’t find the time.” Or maybe you’ve witnessed your own failed attempts at carving out a particular time to get alone with God. Read more

Dreams and Desires…Have You Settled for Less?

A recent article covered the topic of becoming like little children in attitude and spirit. It covered the gratitude, the trust, and the open-mindedness that God wants us to return to. This sparked yet another train of thought. Our dreams and desires.

What do you dream about? No, not the dreams that you have after too much pizza and a late night in front of the television. Let’s talk about the dreams and desires you once had for your life…Dreams about your purpose, your calling,  and your destiny.

How Did You Get Here?

Depending on what road you have traveled to get to where you are now, you may be looking at your life with contentment and satisfaction, or you may be wondering about a few crossroads that led you to your current situation.

You may wonder if you made the right career choice or chose the correct city to put down roots. If you are currently standing in a place that feels as if you may have “settled” for less than you had hoped for, then this article is for you… Read more

Are You Living Life at Warp Speed?

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. –Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

Finding Rest

In today’s fast paced society where every waking moment is run according to a daily planner and overwhelmed by deadlines and agendas, is it possible to find rest?

Absolutely…That’s the good news. But how to get from where you are now, to where you want to be is the question. It’s going to take some action on your part, but by making that first quality decision and following through with a daily attitude of finding and keeping peace in your life, it can be done. Let’s look more closely. Read more

A Childlike Attitude…The Pathway to Peace?

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. — Mark 10:13-15

In this sometimes confusing and mixed up world, filled with pressures and obstacles, is it possible to have a childlike attitude? What does that even mean?

Let’s break it down. The scripture from Mark 10:13-15 has some great insight. First of all, Jesus clearly says, “such is the kingdom of God” when He refers to little children. So, is He telling us that only children have a pathway to heaven? Apparently not, because in the next verse He says, “Whosoever shall NOT receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter in.”

So, the pathway to God, to the kingdom, and to all that it brings: peace, love, serenity, security, strength, hope, happiness, and more become available to us if we will enter into it as a little child. Well, if this is true (which it is) then our next step is to obtain a clear understanding of what receiving the kingdom of God as a little child really is. Read more

How to Hold on to Happiness During Tough Times

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future!” — Jeremiah 29:11

Often, when going through a particularly rough patch in life, we hear the advice, “This too shall pass.” Actually, more than advice, it is a sound statement regardless of which side of the street you are looking from. Even when a period of calm and serenity comes our way, the statement holds true, “This too shall pass.”  Why? Because life is messy, we are emotional beings, jobs are lost, loved ones pass away…life happens.

Many of us base our happiness on thoughts or situations that are well beyond our control. This always leads to disappointment…but I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s take one step at a time. I believe that after reading this, you will be equipped with (or at least reminded of) some real answers to making it through life’s journey.

The Subject of Happiness

Philosophers have poured over this subject for centuries. But most recently, an entire field of study known as “positive psychology” has sought to sort out the issues of our society’s ills and redirect us to mental and emotional success. What is positive psychology? It can be defined as the scientific study of optimal human functioning, or realistically, human happiness. Here are some stats: Read more

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