There’s a whole section of published books called “self-help” books. Some of these resources have helpful information. Others – not-so-much. Some topics are – habits, leadership, rest, self-care, and many more. Interestingly, I happen to know a very effective book that covers the entire spectrum of your life – all topics! Further, it provides focus points to improve your character.
As we explore good news in difficult times, consider this story. You’re on a long trip. You’re really hungry. Mmmm – a hamburger and an ice-cold soda comes to mind. So, you off-ramp into a small town with one grocery on the only street. The grocer says, “Well, go down the aisles. Gather supplies. Make your own sandwich. Soft drinks are stacked by the bread.” Consequently, you head to the next off-ramp – a gas station. The owner says, “Sorry. All we got is cold beer and a bathroom ’round back.” Next off-ramp – an ice-cream stand. But you’re told – “Only ice-cream here. Sorry.” All you want is a burger and a soda!
Interestingly, this “less serious scenario” describes how people feel when they need good news. Instead, they are offered everything else. Nevertheless, there’s still one source of good news in difficult times.
Have you given much thought to what Jesus predicted? All my life, I’ve heard about end times. When I googled “the end of all things,” I saw all kinds of entries –
A book title.
Definition of “the end of all things.”
A song.
Movie.
Cartoons.
Videos.
Even the Lord of the Ring – When Sam helps Frodo on a journey of hardship to destroy a ring of evil power in Mount Doom.
But none of these give any definitive help in exploring what life will look like in end times. So, let’s look at what Jesus predicted.
Do you ever get tired of making choices? You make them all day long! If you had to keep track of all your choices, you’d have thousands to track. God gave choice to each individual. Yet choice also brings significant responsibility to make informed, good decisions. Because choices can be overwhelming sometimes, you need support and assistance. Still, at the end of the day, it’s your choice. What will you do? Read More …
Without any warning, something hits you hard – and you realize it’s challenging to manage a life loss! Sometimes, you feel you’re drowning in sadness . . . cut off from good things . . . observing others’ joy at a distant like a dream . . . wanting so badly for “normal” again . . . just wanting hope to return. Yet, you still face your loss. So, how do you “turn the corner” in a loss?
We’re in a series to help prepare your heart for Christmas. Each week we light another candle in our hearts as a statement of preparation for Christmas. (Notice each additional week’s article in this series has another candle lit in the main featured image.)
This is the second article in the series. With Christmas closing in, it’s time to consider your right hand.
Feathers have captivated people for centuries. Inventors and scientists have studied flight by looking at birds, wings, and feathers. Artists use various mediums to capture the beauty of feathers. Coincidentally, there are still folks who make down pillows and comforters with softest feathers. Kids adore fluffy, colored feathers for fun projects. Feathers have been used for insulation. At one point in history, the best arrows were made using feathers. Today’s content is about being under feathers.
Some years back, I had an opportunity to lunch with a friend I hadn’t seen in several decades. This person was a special influence in my growth and development. I was truly excited about catching up. With great anticipation, I marked the calendar. When the day came, I was a bit nervous after so many years. But I found the lunch to be one of the most fun and meaningful days I’d had in a long time. And I remembered how this friend had influenced me to partner with God.
In the movie, “The Kid,” Bruce Willis plays Russ Duritz, a grown-up under stress. He regressesto a form of comfort when he was a kid – a sandwich. He begins to make one and repeatedly says – “There’s safety in a sandwich!” As he tries to convince himself in his self-dialogue, he grips his almost finished sandwich and flips it around expressively while talking. Alfalfa sprouts fly everywhere. Then lettuce flips out. It’s not much of a sandwich any more. Many people think there’s comfort in a sandwich.
The way things are lining up these days in the world, many people are concerned about peace. It’s true – we do need peace for troubled times. But – things as they are – what does that look like? So – today we are talking about Peace For Troubled Times.