The Game Of Life And Relationships

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
The Game Of Life And Relationships
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Do you like chess? Surely, some of you do, while others of you . . . well, not-so-much. Perhaps you prefer checkers, scrabble, trivial pursuit, monopoly, or nertz. Regardless of your preferred game, life is like playing a board game – in some respects. For example – chess. Interesting pieces are placed in a certain order on an equally interesting board of contrasting squares. Then it starts: the strategies, choices, and patterns. It only takes a few minutes to realize you can’t play chess without being very engaged and thoughtful. Subsequently, you realize there’s an element like this in the game of life and relationships. Let’s look at helpful similarities.

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We Have Hope!

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
We Have Hope!
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Easter week is here! Celebrations! Joyful traditions, activities, and food! Subsequently, the simple reality of this wonderful holiday is – We have hope! We have Jesus!

Before we explore hope in today’s content, I want to mention a FREE Easter week devotional course – Prepare For Easter. It’s already open, and I’ll tell you more at the end of this content.

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Waiting And Listening – Effective Relationship Words

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
Waiting And Listening - Effective Relationship Words
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When you think back into your childhood, what memories come to mind? Good ones? Not-so-good ones? Maybe you remember events that sculpted or changed your life. Perhaps something “rocked your world.” It might be a special activity is your first thought.  (I’ll share one of my memories directly below.) But, I’m guessing you remember many ordinary days filled with ordinary things. Interestingly, this sets the stage for most of life. We spend long stretches of time waiting and listening for what comes next. Additionally, waiting and listening directly impact all your relationships.

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God Purposefully Picks You

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
God Purposefully Picks You
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Do you remember that funny scene in Shrek? The donkey is behind a group of people in a crowd. Shrek is going to choose a companion. And as Shrek considers his options, all you see is the donkey jumping up – over and over in the background. You don’t see him – and then you do! Over and over. As he jumps high enough to be seen above the group, he’s yelling something – “Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!” Interestingly, all people feel this way at times. Subsequently, it’s noteworthy and meaningful to remember God purposefully picks you.

So what does “Pick me!” really look like?
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When Faith Hangs By A Thread

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
When Faith Hangs By A Thread
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We just finished a series in December that focused on how to prepare your heart for Christmas. Then we explored approaching a New Year with hope. Yet, even after those focuses, it’s easy to feel vulnerable when faith hangs by a thread as you look into the future.

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Comfort And Joy In Topsy-Turvy Times

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
Comfort And Joy In Topsy-Turvy Times
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We just came through one of the most special seasons of the year. So many people love these weeks of holidays despite added stresses and responsibilities. Truly, it’s a treasured time each year: Fall Celebrations, Thanksgiving, Christmas – and now New Year’s Day has come. A favorite theme during Christmas from the carol – “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen” is the phrase – “comfort and joy.” If you’re like me and millions of others, you’d welcome some comfort and joy – in your life and around the world.

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Hope For A New Year – Advent #4

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
Hope For A New Year - Advent #4
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A New Year is an opportunity to let go of some things, hold onto other things, and grab onto new things. It also involves various emotions. Even though a New Year can feel scary, not knowing what’s ahead, it can also be exciting with new opportunities. In some cases, it may be a relief to walk into a fresh perspective. Hope for new possibilities begins to rise. Sadness about aging, saying good-byes, or letting go of previous endeavors can be painful. Knowing there will be difficult challenges is sobering. Yet, overall, most people embrace hope as one year morphs into another. God gives hope for a New Year.

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Manage Christmas Sadness – Advent #3

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
Manage Christmas Sadness - Advent #3
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You might be surprised to know Christmas sadness is a real thing. It hits when people go through difficulties that stretch into the season of Christmas. Or it happens with unexpected tragedy or bad news. But Christmas sadness can sometimes appear when everything is going fine. Unexpectedly, something rises up or invades without permission – and surprises you. In fact, you may even wonder why it’s there because there’s no identifiable reason.

Whatever the scenario, you are not alone if you experience Christmas sadness.

Subsequently, the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to learn how to manage Christmas sadness.

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Choose Hope Even In Trials

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
Choose Hope Even In Trials
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“I’m just so tired of trials and challenges!” I’ve heard that exclamation, and I bet you have, too. Maybe you’ve said it. One thing is sure – we’ll all have trials and challenges in the future. We live in a broken world. But you can choose hope even in trials. This is today’s content.

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How To Rise Up When You’re Down

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
How To Rise Up When You're Down
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Recently, we published “To Fail Is Not To Be A Failure.” I encourage you to read that article – or take a listen. It featured the life of Abraham Lincoln. He failed many times. But he wouldn’t give up. And he refused to think of himself as a failure. But today we consider a unique twist on failure. If you’ve embraced – “I’m a failure” – you need to know how to rise up when you’re down.

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