Do you know any perfectionists? Aren’t they just unbearable to live with or work for? I mean, c’mon folks, lighten up!  Must every team member score a perfect 10 for every performance or make 100% of their shots or never miss or strike out or get tired?  Must everyone in the family (including the dog) abide exactly by the agreed …

Can you become a better person? Most definitely. God has plans for it, actually. And his life-changing grace will help you. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12). Can you imagine a world made of those? A family and home filled with those? A church community practicing …

Do your kids love church? Do they jump out of bed on Sunday mornings eager to have breakfast and get dressed? Do they hop in the car on time without complaints? Do they walk by your side into the church lobby and ask which songs you’ll be singing that day, or instead are they more worried about which snacks they …

Here’s a story about the 4th level of joy and how to get there (or at least to level 2 maybe) in your life.  “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We …

One Christian painting depicts a raging storm and some people in the water about chest deep. Floating tree limbs are crashing against waves, and torrents of rain are pelting everything in sight.  People are thrashing around in the water to stay alive, but one person is doing nothing other than lying still in the arms of a whitish, glowing figure …

This world would be a much better place. Your home would be a better place. Our church would be a better place, too! If we all improved just a bit putting this verse into practice.  “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).  Here is a description of …

Tired of negative news and doomscrolling? Take back your news consumption rather than giving Facebook or Instagram algorithms the controls to feed you what they want.  I made that choice a couple years ago and just love the fair, unbiased, and generally positive news source that I read every day. Instead of bashing our country, this source posted a “Congratulations, …

How often do you feel honored for serving as a volunteer at church? Once in a while you might get a thank you, or some recognition, but most often you’re doing the work, plugging away, dealing with drama, and it seems like nobody appreciates it, nobody honors it.  Then remember: This is God’s church, and everybody is honored. Everybody is …

Are you adopted? You are if by faith your Savior is Jesus and, therefore, God is your heavenly Father.  Does it make you this glad? Watch the 20-second video of 4-year-old Brianna’s adoption day. Her classmates show up at the courthouse to celebrate with her. Their plastic clapping hand shakers and screams of support inspire her to do the adoption …

Enjoy this 10-minute video. Begin the week with rich imagery and visual affirmation about God’s saving work in your life. It is based on this verse: “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27). https://youtu.be/QW5tGtCJjmU PRAYER: Dear Savior God, your arms are strong and loving. Your hands created all things and were pierced my …