What Does a Balanced Life Look Like For You?

How do we find a healthy balance in our out-of-balance culture? We live with daily tension between our culture’s lure to self-centeredness and our calling to be “salt and light” in a world desperately looking for love in all the wrong places. Paul encourages us to balance our lives by applying the teachings of Christ in our culture rather than being shaped by its values. In his letter to the Philippians, he tells us to live out our salvation experience in our current environment of unbelief and opposition: “Work out […]

Balancing You Life

Today I want to begin a discussion with you about the idea of balance. The more I’ve thought about this word the more I realize how balance is part of almost everything in us and around us. The need for and importance of balance is evident in the natural world, our physical body and its ten systems, our diets, finances, emotional life, spiritual life, relationships, and marriages. What do we mean when we use the word “balance?” The answer could take us in many different directions but with one common […]

Traits of Proactive People

Last week I discussed how I sometimes feel hopeless and helpless in our crazy mixed-up world. A lot is going on that can cause us to despair and feel there is nothing we can do to deal with this craziness in a positive, faithful way. But in that post, I reminded us that we must learn to face hard realities by trusting in God’s goodness and sovereignty in all. And, as a faithful response to his will to take on our challenges with a proactive approach to living out our […]

Choices, Choices, Choices!

A major reality of our existence is the fact that we have choices to make. These decisions can range from the simplest things such as what to have for breakfast to heart-rending ones like selling the cherished house you have lived in for many years or ending what was once a close relationship.  One thing we should learn along the way is that our choices matter. It seems odd to me that some people don’t get that. Do you ever consider how you got to where you are today?  Some […]

Great Rewards Come to Those Who Follow Christ!

 When my children were young, I would talk with them about their choices and the consequences of their actions. There were times when I warned them to consider how their decision would trigger results they would not like. Why did I do this? Because I love them and wanted the best life can offer for them. If you are a caring parent, you know what I mean and have likely done the same thing.  Responsible parents want their children to understand that choices have consequences. Bad choices bring bad results […]

My Choices, My Character and My Destiny

“My choices determine my character, which in turn determines my destiny.” Think about this statement, what does it mean?   Who do you want to be? Where do you want to go in life? Your choices will form your character. Who you become will determine your ultimate destiny. Sometimes we are confronted with competing choices. What will we do? Where will our choice take us?  Choices are important. Of course, some choices are more important than others. The choices to marry, and who to marry, are infinitely more life-changing than what […]

Two Worlds In Conflict

You live in two worlds that are in conflict. This is the third of the 5 Life-Changing Truths we are considering in this series of blogs. Take a moment and think about this idea,” I live in a two-world marketplace in which I invest every day.” To make this a bit more real, say this aloud to yourself and consider what it implies. Let this sink in, to permeate your thoughts and feelings. Please allow the words that follow to help you explore this potentially life-altering truth. Every day you […]

God Loves You and Has a Plan for Your Life

God loves you has a plan for your life. This is life-changing truth # 1! Why is it # 1, the most important fact of your life? Think about the impact that believing that truth can have on your life. If you believe there is a God who is the Creator and ultimate authority of this world, then it matters what you believe He thinks about you. This can make all the difference in your life!  We were created by God to live in relationships with Him and others. For […]

5 Life-Changing Truths

Several months ago I wrote a series of blogs about “5 Life-Changing Truths.” I believe it’s time to re-visit these potentially life-altering truths. The reason for this will become apparent as you read further. Why this series, this subject, why now? Because truth is vital to living well and to healthy relationships. And, there is evidence there is a concerted effort to replace foundational truths with lies.   Because this is such an important subject, let me share a definition, and my understanding of the meaning of the word “truth.” The […]

The Big Picture

Do you long for meaning and purpose in life? Do you want to be remembered well by family and friends when you are gone? Do you want your life to have counted for something worthwhile, to have made a difference in someone’s life? I can say “absolutely yes” to each of these questions. That’s why I spend hours each week attempting to craft a blog that may be helpful to someone I may not even know. I want to make a difference for someone. We are made for the “Big […]