I’ve spoken with dozens of people looking for advice about how to speak more confidently about their faith—more specifically, to those who don’t share that same faith. Jesus is very special to us. So we want to speak of him well, and to say something that is compelling to others. This can be especially hard … Continue reading Not just what you say, but how
conversation
Supper’s ready!
I heard about a survey where Americans were asked what words they most liked to hear. Number 1 was “I love you.” No surprise there. Number 2 was “I forgive you.” Makes sense. Number 3 was a bit less predictable. But it totally makes sense… “Supper’s ready!” I wonder why so many people like to … Continue reading Supper’s ready!
When condescension starts
One of the things I’ve noticed in our modern society is that it’s easy for civility to go out the window. I realize that the internet has helped with a lot of things, but one of my concerns is that people do and say things online that they would never do and say in person. … Continue reading When condescension starts
The truth about what you casually say
What do you believe? Really? Not what you SAY you believe, but what you ACTUALLY believe? Sometimes you’ll hear it said that how you spend your time and energy is the true measure of your true beliefs. Why? Because it’s a practical demonstration of your actual priorities. But today I’d like to suggest something else: What … Continue reading The truth about what you casually say
Connect in conversation
“I want to grow in my faith.” I hear some variation of that statement almost every week. And I think it’s awesome. It’s a desire to learn more about God, about how to live in a way that honours him, or about spiritual progress and following Jesus more closely. Each person is a bit different … Continue reading Connect in conversation
So can you
“Be like JESUS” That’s what it says on a sign outside a Catholic school close to my house. But where does that idea come from? Sure, many of us believe in Jesus, but why should we be like him? Late in the 1st century the apostle John warned that if we claim to know God but … Continue reading So can you
Something choking you from the inside
Protestants like myself don’t really go into confessional booths to confess our sins to a priest. It just seems like a strange thing—kind of like something from another culture that I don’t know much about. (No offence to any of the Roman Catholics out there. If that’s a part of your life, that’s awesome—go for … Continue reading Something choking you from the inside
The cliffs just started moving closer
James 1:19 "let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger..." (ESV) Today's Thought When I was young we would go back to the cliffs behind our house. There was a tall cliff on this side, and a tall cliff on that side. In the middle was a vast expanse. We’d … Continue reading The cliffs just started moving closer
Before you talk, do this
James 1:19 “...let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak...” (ESV) Today's Thought This week I’m suggesting practical things we can do to love one another better. Yesterday I talked about the importance of taking your own sin seriously. (If you missed it, you can review it here.) Here’s suggestion #2: Listen before … Continue reading Before you talk, do this
Lose the guilt
Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (NIV) Today's Thought There are certain bible passages that, to me, are like the mail carrier. They just keep coming back. And … Continue reading Lose the guilt
The Up Devotional 