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The Kindness We Show (Or Don't)
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless” (Mother Teresa).The other day, I found myself in a really bad mood. In trying to understand why, I’m not really sure what...
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Finding Joy in the Calendar
“You can never step into the same river; for new waters are always flowing on you. No man ever steps into the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he is not the same man”...
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It's That Simple!
“The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for” (Bob Marley).Dear Tonya, Happy Anniversary!I find myself sitting here on our anniversary thinking about...
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We the People...
“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” (Amendment 2, United States Constitution).While watching...
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A Line in the Sand
“Setting boundaries is not a more sophisticated way of manipulation—although some people will say they are setting boundaries, when in fact they are attempting to manipulate. The difference between...
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The Vanishing Dream
“You don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? It is a mist that appears for a little while. Then it disappears” (James 4:14).During much of my life I’ve had a singular goal. My...
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Thrown Under the Bus
“Ariel, listen to me: The human world is a mess. Life under the sea is better than anything they’ve got up there!” (Sebastian, The Little Mermaid).Do you ever “get thrown under the bus?”Maybe that’s a...
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Throwing a Fit
I sometimes sit and watch my son, finding myself shaking my head at his behavior. Evan is such a good child, most of the time. He probably averages 80% good, 20% terror. That’s not a bad average.I...
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Life Happens
Life happens.Startling reality for some people, especially those who believe someone, something, or some Higher Power is responsible for rescuing them from it.Yet, life happens.I had a heart attack 4...
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High Expectations
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of...
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Dirty Jesus
At first glance, Evan’s theology might need a little work.This past weekend, we hosted several friends at our house for a little Christmas fellowship. Evan grew more and more excited about our guests...
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Do What You Say
“If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters” (Alan Simpson).A good policy (and a cliché, I suppose) to follow is this: Say what you mean and mean...
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Learning to Keep Our Mouth Shut
Do you ever sit back and listen to someone talk about an event you saw and experienced first-hand, but you know they didn’t see first-hand?Ever listen to the details they share about what took place,...
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One Day Closer to the Grave
Every day, I am one day closer to dying.Heck, it could be today, I suppose. In many ways, I hope not. But, if that train pulls into the station, I’m ready to board.As I have aged, I’ve left a lot of...
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5 Ways to Make a Post Go Viral
5 Ways to Make a Post Go ViralBy M. Steve HeartsillIn recent months, I’ve noticed a trend online. I’ve been watching how many lists go viral online, especially on Facebook.People will write about 7...
View ArticleTo Be or Not to Be
From Greece to the present day, actors and actresses have worn masks during performances to transition from one character to another. During Elizabethan days, one actor could portray various parts of a...
View ArticleMore Than Resolutions
I've never been very good at making—much less keeping—New Year's resolutions. Oh, I'll give it a passing thought as I hear others talk about their resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, spend more...
View ArticleFamily Traditions
Country music fans are probably familiar with the song titled “Family Traditions.” It plays quite frequently on the radio.This weekend, that song went through my mind as I remembered my family's...
View ArticleTime for Appreciation
October is recognized as Pastor Appreciation Month in many churches.It’s not too late to recognize your pastor and church staff, whether you choose to do it corporately as a church or as an individual....
View ArticleBeing a Cool Adult
Recently, my wife, son, and I were driving down the road. My son said to his mother, “Mom, you are cool.” She thanked him for his kind words. For a moment, there was silence in our car. Finally, I...
View ArticleBeing a Missional Family
“Families on Mission” is more than a concept or even a catchphrase.At least, it should be.After all, who better to do missions with than the people you love the most—your own family! What a great...
View ArticleSharing Our Faith
As a seminary student, I was required to take a class on personal evangelism (in simple terms, a class on how to share Jesus with others). Before the end of the semester, we were required to make a...
View ArticleNever Too Young to Start
There are some things in life that are best left to adults. I’m thinking about things like driving a car, being an astronaut, performing surgery, or skydiving.But, on the other hand, there are other...
View ArticleBeing a Better Parent
I really stink at being a parent. Just ask my ten-year-old son. He’ll tell you.Well, I don’t always stink at it, but too many times I do. I make wrong parenting choices. I raise my voice. I lose my...
View ArticleMy Wife is a Teacher
My wife is a teacher.She doesn’t teach because she gets the entire summer off.She doesn’t teach because her job is from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday – Friday.She doesn’t teach because she is never...
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