I Declare War on My Mouth There’s no other area that is easier (for me) to mess up with, and that has caused more heartache afterward, than talking. I’ve shot my mouth off and felt remorse so regularly that it is a great source of sadness for me. I measure how well a meeting went not by the number of good ideas I had or whether the content was covered but by whether it ends without me having said something I want to take back. You know that feeling when you walk away from a conversation and the perfect insult comes to your mind just a minute too late? (“Well,…

It doesn’t take very long for a couple to figure out that marriage isn’t a continuously fun and easy ride, a big bundle of happy days tied up with a sparkly bow of hugs and kisses. It’s often the sandpaper of chafing personalities, unmet expectations, and hurt feelings that rub us the wrong way and leave us feeling rather raw. Being able to forgive past offenses and let go of past hurts is an essential component for growing a strong marriage and maintaining an intimate relationship that lasts a lifetime. On the other hand, unforgiveness blocks intimacy on an emotional and physical level. The Gottman Institute, a research-based relationship organization,…

Love your neighbor as yourself. — Jesus in Mark 12:31 NIV My best ideas come to me in the shower. That’s a weird sentence to write, but admit it: All of our best ideas come in the bathroom, right? One day in 2008, I was taking my morning shower, and my mind was wandering, making loose connections. I thought about a viral video making the rounds, a video made by three pastors asking folks to conspire against the commercialism of Christmas. Buy less, they said. Give more. Give something valuable, like time or something made by hand. Take the money you’ve saved and give it to those in need. Arms against the wall,…

While cleaning the kitchen, I had to stop and acknowledge all the screaming and arguing surrounding me. “Madison,” I said, “those people on TV sure are screaming loud at each other. They’re so angry!” My 6-year old daughter looked over at me and said, “I know, Mommy, it’s in the hands of God — but, they’re trying to figure it out.” It’s like they are trying to take it right out of God’s hands — to handle it with their mind. That’s funny. But, I wonder, how much are we just like these people — “figuring-out” what God’s already working out? Screaming-it-out, worrying, agonizing, figuring, postulating, regurgitating? Tirelessly and endlessly…

School Days! Prayers for Teachers At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of Heaven.” — Matthew 18:1-3 Father God, You have created so many gifts in this world. Praise Your precious name! Daily give me wisdom to know how to love the young children in my class, even in the tough moments. Give me patience to deal with unexpected classroom situations. Fill…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends  all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6 Have you ever experienced such intense grief that you didn’t think you were ever going to experience the joy you once had, in the same way again? Has there ever been a time in your life where you were so depleted of strength because all you did was worry which caused you to not want to get out of bed? Or, have you ever been in a place, after you…

Sigh. I reread the quote again for the third time that morning: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. — Romans 12:18 Sigh. To be honest, on that particular morning, I didn’t feel like living at peace with a certain individual. This quote is one I had memorized as a college student, back when I was still an atheist but curious about spiritual things. Since then, these words have had a profound influence on my relational decisions. But even if you’re not that interested in spiritual things, this quote, found in Romans 12:18 in the Bible, holds as much wisdom for you as it does for…

Editor’s Note: Matthew 3:2 says, “The Kingdom of God has come near”, meaning it’s closer than we think, but we must choose to see it. Some of the best representations of the Kingdom are when differing cultures, nations, skin colors, occupations, walks of life, etc. come together in the most unlikely of circumstances. Our God is the Master of the unexpected. Can we get an Amen? The Yada Yada Prayer Group book series does and excellent job of painting a literary picture of what it looks like when God weaves life paths together by His divine and perfect plan. A group of women, who would never have chosen each other as friends…

It is rightly said that God wants an honest, authentic, sincere relationship with us. Paul goes so far as to say that this is one of the major, if not the major, goals of his discipleship ministry and teaching: The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a goodconscience and a sincere faith. — 1 Timothy 1:5, emphasis mine And the author of Hebrews reminds us that when we approach God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart. — Hebrews 10:22 This only makes sense because we can’t fake God out. After all, the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. — 1 Chronicles 28:9 This means that if…