A Plan To Be More Like Jesus – Scripture Dissection

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
A Plan To Be More Like Jesus - Scripture Dissection
Loading
/

Do you need a long-overdue vacation? Or perhaps you want to pay off a loan quickly. Maybe you’ve never gardened, but you want to try one. Could be you’ve decided to change careers but need more education. Or you might commit to lose a few unwanted pounds. Regardless, whatever the scenario, you need a plan – or you’ll get nowhere fast. Similarly, you need a plan to be more like Jesus. Incidentally, it doesn’t just happen.

So, let’s look at a good plan to do just that.

Read More …

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

The Stumbling Stone – Scripture Dissection

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
The Stumbling Stone - Scripture Dissection
Loading
/

Some years back, I accompanied my grandkids to a park. They were full of energy and expectation. Upon arrival, I gave the usual warning – “Now, be careful as you tackle this playground!” Their response? “O.K. We will!” Well, they climbed equipment, explored, and jumped from tree stump to every conquerable obstacle. The oldest mid-teen made a bounding leap – landing in a wipe-out. Boom! “Are you OK?” “Ya. I’m fine.” Then, another bounding leap – another wipe-out! Kersplat! “You still OK?” “Yup, I’m good.” Remarkably, yet another attempted giant leap for “teen-kind.” Ya-hoo-hoo-hoo! Trip-and-sprawl! Back up again – still grinning. Goodness! That brilliant offspring found every stumbling stone the park offered. Perhaps a successful visit?! I think it’s worth exploring what a stumbling stone is.

Read More …

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

A Positive Mindset Works – Scripture Dissection

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
A Positive Mindset Works - Scripture Dissection
Loading
/

I’m sure it’s not just me. Surely, you’ve been there, too. Your computer, phone, or device just isn’t cooperating. So, you refresh. If that doesn’t work, you turn it off – and back on again. Plus, you take care of any updates. Worse case scenario, you back-up data and re-format your device. Honestly! A lot of management! Similarly, there’s management needed for a mindset to work well. However, it involves certain reboots, re-starts, updates, and even re-formats to have a positive mindset work.

Let’s see what Scripture says.

Read More …

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

It’s For Your Own Good – Scripture Dissection

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
It's For Your Own Good - Scripture Dissection
Loading
/

 

I don’t know about you, but the words – “It’s for your own good” – conjure up numerous memories. Think back to your childhood. Surely, you had adults and various others who had influence in your life . . . and said – “it’s for your own good.” Chances are, most of those folks were trying to cast a purposeful vision forward into your life. Plus – don’t you sometimes say the same thing now as you attempt to influence someone you care about? Whether or not you do – God does. In case you didn’t know, that phrase – “for your own good.” – is straight out of Scripture.

Now, let’s explore exactly “what” is supposed to be for your own good.

Read More …

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

When God Weeps – Scripture Dissection

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
When God Weeps - Scripture Dissection
Loading
/

Have you ever wondered if God cries? Well, He does. In fact, God weeps! I suppose most people don’t think about it. Nevertheless, it likely happens more often than you or I can imagine. When God weeps, He connects with you and me. Actually, that’s quite comforting. Plus, it gives permission to you to weep when your life overflows with disappointment.

What does God weep about?

Read More …

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

The Shame Thing – Scripture Dissection

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
The Shame Thing - Scripture Dissection
Loading
/

I remember a funny quote in the movie, “Mulan.” : “Dishonor! Dishonor on your whole family! Dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow . . . ” Do you remember it? Incidentally, this rebuke is spoken by Mushu, a Chinese dragon – Mulan’s companion. Actually, dishonor is something like shame. In fact, dishonor is a strong match for shame according to a thesaurus. You might wonder if I’m going to suggest – – under no circumstances should you allow yourself to experience shame. Not so. Unfortunately, too many people don’t have healthy contrition anymore. Conversely, many people don’t know what to do with undeserved shame. Let’s explore the shame thing.

Read More …

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

The One Thing You Need This Year – Scripture Dissection

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
The One Thing You Need This Year - Scripture Dissection
Loading
/

If you could choose only one thing you need this year more than anything else – what would you pick? That’s a hard question to answer. Actually, I’m not sure I could do it. Nevertheless, let’s see if God’s Word has any input about the one thing you need this year.

Read More …

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

A Fresh Look At Communion – Scripture Dissection

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
A Fresh Look At Communion - Scripture Dissection
Loading
/

I remember communion from when I was a child. Even as a youngster, I wanted to understand the bread and cup. But honestly, I did wonder why the bread was so “itty-bitty.” And the cup was barely a good swig! Don’t you remember sticking your tongue into that tiny cup and licking every drop out when you were a kid? Nevertheless, it was clear to me as a child, that communion is not a meal – or even a snack. It’s about celebrating a precious sacrament – and remembering. Today, let’s take a fresh look at communion.

 

Read More …

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

When You’re Down – Scripture Dissection

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
When You're Down - Scripture Dissection
Loading
/

You’ve been there. I have, too. In fact, pretty much everyone has. When you’re down, it’s hard to function at your best. Things don’t look normal, and you can’t quite get your bearings. Things may not be going as you expected. Or, you’ve had a disappointment – possibly a piercing loss. Perhaps you lack energy from carrying your load a long time. Often, there’s a pile-up of things. “Stuff” is going on in your heart – and in your world. Regardless, you need to manage this stuff!

However, it’s not those things, alone, that get you down. Something else is going on – and you can’t quite put your finger on it. Matter-of-fact, if you could put your finger on it, you’d know better how to address being down. So, it’s tricky to to be your best when you’re down.

Read More …

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

The Perfect Sandwich – Scripture Dissection

Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
The Perfect Sandwich - Scripture Dissection
Loading
/

In a previous article, we shared a fun excerpt from the movie, “The Kid.” Bruce Willis plays Russ Duritz, a grown-up under stress. He regresses to a comfort when he was a kid – a sandwich. As he makes one, he says – “There’s safety in a sandwich!” He grips his almost finished sandwich and flips it around while stressfully raving. Alfalfa sprouts fly everywhere. Then, lettuce flips out. It’s not much of a sandwich any more. Certainly not a perfect sandwich.

So, let’s take a few minutes to explore the perfect sandwich in your “on-the-go life.” Afterall, you need to fill the hunger in your soul.

Read More …

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail