Advent 2025, Week 1: Psalm 112, Part 3 Two of the primary hopes parents long for is (1) that their children do well, and (2) that they have enough money to provide for their kids. Parents can expend mountains of emotional energy on these two important concerns throughout the parenting years, and even long afterContinue reading “Mighty children and fabulous wealth”
Tag Archives: difficulty
Four unhealthy approaches to the “chains” in our lives – Advent Joy, Part 3
Throughout the years, I’ve heard discussions about the difference between happiness and joy. I am not so sure the scripture makes a clear-cut distinction. To me, the two are either totally the same, or very close to the same. But some people have said, “You can be joyful, but not happy about something.” I getContinue reading “Four unhealthy approaches to the “chains” in our lives – Advent Joy, Part 3″
Perspective in the middle of tough times – Psalm 96, Part 3
In Psalm 96, verses 2 and 3 instruct us to proclaim God’s salvation day after day. This is the same idea that is encapsulated in the word “evangelism,” which is about proclaiming Good News. The psalmist reminds us that we have Good News story to share, and in verse 3 he describes it as declaringContinue reading “Perspective in the middle of tough times – Psalm 96, Part 3”
What to do and say in the middle of life’s storms – Acts 27, Part 3
When you are in the middle of a life storm, what do you do? What do you say to people who are really struggling? How should disciples of Jesus answers these questions? As we have been studying Acts 27, the Apostle Paul’s journey to Rome, he is on a boat in the middle of aContinue reading “What to do and say in the middle of life’s storms – Acts 27, Part 3”
“Christians must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Really?) – Acts 14, Part 4
How do you like the quote in the title? Agree? Disagree? Let’s talk about it. In the previous post we looked at the question of whether or not Jesus is okay with various levels of commitment to him. As we study Acts, it seems that a guy like the Apostle Paul was radically committed toContinue reading ““Christians must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Really?) – Acts 14, Part 4″
Seeing beyond our circumstances to share grace and peace – Philemon 1-7, Part 2
How are you viewing your life? Are things going well? Are they difficult? If they are going well, my guess is that you probably view your life in a positive light. But if things are difficult, your view could be negative. In the middle of the difficult times, it can be hard for us toContinue reading “Seeing beyond our circumstances to share grace and peace – Philemon 1-7, Part 2”
Learning to see yourself for who you really are, and learning to see past your circumstances – Philemon 1-7, Part 1
How do you come across to people? Even if you think you know how you come across, what if your impression of yourself is wrong, or maybe even slightly off? It is a sign of growing maturity to be able to have self-awareness. Some humans are very self-aware, and others not so much. ItContinue reading “Learning to see yourself for who you really are, and learning to see past your circumstances – Philemon 1-7, Part 1”
Hope when life is very dark – Titus 3:1-8, Part 3
Do you have a dark past? Is life feeling messy or difficult right now? If you answered “Yes” to either of these questions, you’re not alone. All of us go through really troubling times. In the middle of it, we can feel a confusing mixture of fear, sadness, pain, longing, despair, and we wonder ifContinue reading “Hope when life is very dark – Titus 3:1-8, Part 3”
3 reasons bad things happen [False ideas Christians believe about…God’s involvement in our lives. Part 2]
Does everything happen for a reason? Many people believe so, but as we discussed yesterday, sometimes things happen because of the kind of world we live. What do I mean by that? What kind of world do we live in? Our world demonstrates at least the following three tendencies that very much affect why thingsContinue reading “3 reasons bad things happen [False ideas Christians believe about…God’s involvement in our lives. Part 2]”
How to walk through pain [False ideas Christians believe about…difficulty. Part 5]
How should we respond in the midst of pain? The psalmists often lament, crying out their complaint to God as to why he is not answering their prayer. This is why we are fact-checking statement about dealing with difficulty. The post you are reading is number 5 of 5. If you’re starting here, I encourageContinue reading “How to walk through pain [False ideas Christians believe about…difficulty. Part 5]”
Engaging Scripture 