Noble Character Archives - Alive and Active Life

Refreshing And Rare: Hope For This Year

Posted onJanuary 12, 2026January 12, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Refreshing And Rare: Hope For This Year

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When you think of “refreshing and rare,” who comes to your mind? What character qualities define this person? I’m guessing they are courageous, personable, persevering. Further, I imagine they are kind and gentle, as well as strong and honest. Most of all, the person who comes to your mind probably lives with hope.

As you enter this next year, you need hope, too. The next 12 months provide opportunity to manage, enjoy, and problem-solve in your life. Thankfully, God provides refreshing and rare hope for every day.

Start This Year Well: 10 Points – Scripture Dissection

Posted onJanuary 5, 2026January 5, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Start This Year Well: 10 Points - Scripture Dissection

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Happy New Year! May it be a good one for you! Now, to set the tone, here’s a quote from C.S. Lewis – “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” With this insightful observation, let’s explore 10 points to start this year well.

Pause At Christmastime – Advent #4

Posted onDecember 22, 2025December 22, 2025

Alive and Active Life

Pause At Christmastime - Advent #4

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I remember one Christmas years ago – I almost missed Christmas! That experience was a “wake-up call.” In my busy life, filling roles and carrying out responsibilities – all the Christmas preparations pulled me off track. I asked God to show me what happened and how to avoid it in the future. That’s when I learned how to pause at Christmastime.

And it works! Now, I use a “pause” all through the year.

Do you need to pause a bit more this Christmas?

Joy At Christmastime – Advent #2

Posted onDecember 8, 2025December 15, 2025

Alive and Active Life

Joy At Christmastime - Advent #2

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Many cherished Christmas carols talk about joy. Consider Joy To The World – “Joy to the world, the Lord has come.” Or While By My Sheep – “Joy, joy, joy! (echo) joy, joy, joy.” If you are looking for joy at Christmastime, you are joined by millions of people.

Interestingly, Paul starts every single letter he wrote in the New Testament with wishes of grace and JOY to his readers.

So, how’s your joy as Christmas approaches?

A Mindset Of Gratitude

Posted onNovember 24, 2025January 8, 2026

Alive and Active Life

A Mindset Of Gratitude

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It’s Thanksgiving! Time for a “self-check” on gratitude. A mindset of gratitude makes a huge difference, even when things are difficult or painful.

So, if you had a Gratitude Scale that measured how thankful you are, where would you score on a scale 1-10?

Let’s explore “mindset of gratitude.” But first – let’s have some fun with that Gratitude Scale we mentioned.

Purpose-Filled Living – Scripture Dissection

Posted onNovember 17, 2025January 8, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Purpose-Filled Living - Scripture Dissection

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I can’t think of a better way to begin this content – purpose-filled living – than to quote a good authority on the subject.

“Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in your darkest days – when you heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you’re out of options, when the pain is great – and you turn to God alone.” (Rick Warren)

This insightful quote leads us into our discovery today.

Live With Courage And Confidence

Posted onNovember 10, 2025January 8, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Live With Courage And Confidence

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Recently, I connected with a dear friend and learned about her struggle with cancer. Not only her courage to face cancer, but the tenacity and grit it takes to go through chemo treatments. On top of that, to deal with side effects. Little sleep, loss of hair, skin so sensitive you can’t comfortably wear a hat or light scarf. Terrible pain. Time off work. Daily responsibilities still demand attention. Without a doubt, it takes courage and confidence to make it through such difficult circumstances.

How I admire this friend. Each day, she rises into new courage as she manages these realities. Plus, she remains confident God will carry her through. At the same time, she is honest and authentic about her sufferings.

So, let’s dive into what it means to live with courage and confidence each day – no matter what your situation.

Let Go. It’ll Be OK – Hope #6

Posted onNovember 3, 2025January 8, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Let Go. It’ll Be OK - Hope #6

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Someone’s hanging from a high ledge, ready to fall! They’re yelling for help and losing strength. Now, they hold on with only one hand. You know emergency teams will never make it in time. Frantically, you grab a nearby sturdy tarp and enlist five or six strong-looking by-standers to hold tightly on corners and sides – a “make-shift” life-net directly below. Realizing the person is about to fall, yet is filled with fear, you yell, “Let go. It’ll be OK.”

This is #6 in a series on hope.

Strong Hope #5 – Scripture Dissection

Posted onOctober 27, 2025January 8, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Strong Hope #5 - Scripture Dissection

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As I consider today’s material: “Strong Hope,” I’m reminded of a Bible passage in one of my quiet times. Interestingly, a thought struck me as I read that passage. Simply this.

If I were to make a list of all the struggles, issues, sorrows, and difficulties in my life so far –

– and if I were to put a column of dates next to them (similar to what I have in my Bible)

– then, if I were to record a verse or promise God gave me for that particular situation in a third column

– I would have an amazing record of God’s faithfulness in my neediness. In fact, I’d have enough material to publish a book about strong hope.

This is #5 in a series on hope.

Change Me, Lord! New Hope #4

Posted onOctober 20, 2025January 8, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Change Me, Lord! New Hope #4

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Have you ever desperately cried out “change me, Lord?” I have.

I vividly remember a time I said this many years ago. Challenges had piled up. Demands were high. Expectations even higher. I was pulled in too many directions. And I felt overwhelmed.

Category: Noble Character

Refreshing And Rare: Hope For This Year

Start This Year Well: 10 Points – Scripture Dissection

Pause At Christmastime – Advent #4

Joy At Christmastime – Advent #2

A Mindset Of Gratitude

Purpose-Filled Living – Scripture Dissection

Live With Courage And Confidence

Let Go. It’ll Be OK – Hope #6

Strong Hope #5 – Scripture Dissection

Change Me, Lord! New Hope #4

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