Today I want to share a word of grace in a difficult time. Something I’ve noticed is that many people are being really hard on themselves. I get it. You want to do well. You want to put your best foot forward in every area of your life. You want to hit the proverbial ball … Continue reading No matter what
identity
The house started to sink
Billy Graham tells a story about a family who purchased a plot of land for a home in the Appalachian Mountains. It was breathtaking, overlooked a valley, and faced some beautiful mountains. They made plans, chose a builder, and the house was completed. After about a year, things started to go terribly wrong. They noticed … Continue reading The house started to sink
Who are you, really?
In the inspirational movie Overcomer, a basketball coach named John Harrison loses his team. Coaching basketball has become such a major part of his identity that it really shakes him. He’s also a part of his church’s visitation team. In one scene, he visits a man at the hospital. The man asks him who he … Continue reading Who are you, really?
Affirmation from the wrong people or places
There was a young boy who got C’s on his report card. His dad said that if he just worked harder, he could probably get B’s. Time passed and the boy worked hard. He really wanted to impress his dad. He sooo wanted his affirmation and praise! The next report card came and, lo and … Continue reading Affirmation from the wrong people or places
An accurate view of yourself
Some people have too HIGH a view of themselves. They think they’re always right and others are always wrong. They think it’s a privilege for you just to be in their presence. They think they’re the best thing since sliced bread. Others have a too LOW a view of themselves. They think they’re good for … Continue reading An accurate view of yourself
Your victory in life
Happy Easter everybody! As many of you know, I've been on break since February 4th. I'm feeling refreshed and am looking forward to helping you live out a dynamic faith through this devotional five days a week. Since today is Easter Monday, let me just say this: A lot of people struggle with an identity … Continue reading Your victory in life
The one label that matters most
Labels. We put them on clothing. But we also put them on people. Sometimes they’re labels other people put on us. Labels like “friend” or “classmate” or “co-worker.” But there are also labels like “jerk” or “ugly” or “enemy.” And do you know what? We put labels on ourselves as well. Some are good. But … Continue reading The one label that matters most
Who’s brainwashing who?
Mark Clark was getting a lot of criticism from people. They said that because he consistently read his kids the Bible and explained who Jesus was (and is), and because he explained God’s hope for the world, that he was “brainwashing” them. But he wasn't the guilty one...
On the days you feel most defeated
I think there can be a darkness within each one of us that loves to reach up, take hold of our confidence, and pull it down into an abyss of self-pity. Don't let it. Here's why -- and how.
Royal blood
After World War Two, fifty men came out of a camp in Indochina with amnesia. They didn’t know who they were. They simply didn’t remember, and there were no records. For those who were brought back to Paris, someone had the idea to advertise in the newspapers. The idea was to tell the public about … Continue reading Royal blood
