I remember hearing the debate about prayer in school as I was growing up. I also remember hearing a comment that “as long as there are tests in school; there will be prayer”! I grew up being taught to pray. I remember an older gentleman at church who prayed the exact same prayer every time…
A few years back, my word for the year was “Presence”. I wanted the Lord’s Presence to be noticed in me. I wanted my presence with others to make a difference. I also prayed often for the Lord’s Presence in me. I realize now that the Presence of the Lord is ALWAYS in me. I’ve…
I learned at a very early age, that there is always a hierarchy in my world. When I was a kid, it was my parents who were in charge at home, when I went to school it was teachers and principals. As I progressed in school it was the more popular students who were in…
I’ve not been very successful finding things I’ve misplaced in a public place. I’ve lost mostly umbrellas and maybe a few jackets or coats. When I go the “Lost & Found” they are not there. I do like finding things that I’ve lost. I get frustrated with myself that I’ve misplaced something or hid it…
These two words encompass the full value of the opportunity you’re presented with. All benefits are included, and compensation is offered. There are value propositions for doing volunteer work at the hospital. The benefits are a bit intangible, but oh so worth it. This is a bit like it to follow Jesus. In fact, He…
I’ve been offended many times. I’ve tried to learn over the years to let stuff “roll off of me” when someone hurts me. It’s easier said than done. When someone close to me offends me, I have work to do. I must gain understanding for the relationship to continue to grow and become healthier. If…
Grief is deeply personal. It is sometimes private. It is always pain-filled. Grief doesn’t have to be experienced alone even though it’s deeply personal. I remember grieving over so many people who have gone on before me. There have been times when death was a welcomed friend. There are other times when death was a…
When some friends of mine got sideways with each other, I was hearing both sides and I was expected to choose a side. I loved them both and they were both partly wrong and partly right. It wasn’t easy to navigate because I loved them both. We finally concluded that we were going to love…
I love learning new words. I don’t always love learning them in a casual conversation. I had this professor when I was working on my undergrad degree that was known for using big, little-known word in his lectures. He was trying to expand the vocabulary of his students, but it was a bit challenging to…
Self-awareness is a giant gift that we hopefully give ourselves. If we think we are something special, a big shot or a super Christian, then we are not self-aware. I have been around people who thought that they were “God’s gift to the world”. They were pompous, arrogant, and filled with pride. They were unaware…