Lately I’ve been thinking about how wildly impressionable we humans are. It’s not always a bad thing, but I think it really is the truth. One study I read suggested that you’re more likely to have warm and favourable thoughts toward someone you’re talking to if you’re holding a warm drink at the same time. … Continue reading A companion of fools suffers harm
friends
Someone who needs to know they matter
When most people hear the word “hospitality” they think of the “hospitality industry” where guests of some sort are treated well. But hospitality comes up in the Bible too. Romans 12:13 (NLT) says, “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” But it doesn’t mean being … Continue reading Someone who needs to know they matter
Blame
Blaming. Other. People. It’s easy to do. And to be honest, there are times when other people do in fact need to be called to account for having done something wrong or hurtful. But what I’m talking about today is being quick to notice when OTHER people have done something wrong... but being slow to notice … Continue reading Blame
You: The living memory
Siblings can become very close. That was certainly true for Theodore and Amity. But as time went on, Amity contracted cancer. The doctors told her she could have surgery to try and remove the tumor. But since she was getting older and feeling weaker, there was a chance she either wouldn’t survive or would go downhill … Continue reading You: The living memory
What if it was something annoying within ourselves?
Something a lot of people enjoy at this time of year is getting together with friends and family. But let’s be honest. There's also a lot of people who DON’T enjoy that part of the holidays! Why? Because certain people can drive us crazy. Some have attitudes, habits and opinions that drive us up the wall! … Continue reading What if it was something annoying within ourselves?
Sifting for wisdom in the age of “experts”
Do you sometimes feel like we live in a time that is saturated with “experts”? There are food experts and weather experts and psychology experts and sports experts and economy experts. They share their wisdom on talk shows, books and blog posts. I think a lot of that is great. We can really benefit from … Continue reading Sifting for wisdom in the age of “experts”
Tis only a flesh wound!
Most people have some annoying habits. Sometimes they’re no big deal. But sometimes those habits are actually hurtful. Maybe you’re perpetually insensitive. Or maybe you’re quick to criticize or trample on someone’s well-meaning ideas. And here’s why it can be hard to identify the hurtful habits you may have. It’s because people aren’t usually quick … Continue reading Tis only a flesh wound!
When you disagree
It’s easy to have a good time when everyone agrees about everything. You laugh at the same jokes and see eye to eye about what’s right (or wrong) with the world. In fact, when we grow up, it’s often the people who agree with us most who become our friends. But times goes on. And … Continue reading When you disagree
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
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
