Last week, we discovered that to grow in patience, we must train in patience under the proper nutritional and recovery conditions – doing spiritual disciplines such as worshipping together in small groups, having private prayer time, and engaging in Scripture. These investments take time, as God does His best work while we wait. It’s all training…and…

Last week, we looked at two manifestations of patience: short-term and long-term. The one difference that we focused on was the frequency. Typically, we’ll experience more short-term opportunities, such as waiting in line (ugh, who wants to do that!) or being stuck in traffic (same!). Yet those can be opportunities instead of inconveniences. God does…

What things test your patience in your world? Is it traffic? Slow internet? Waiting in line at the store? Perhaps it’s a train on the tracks or taking your wife-to-be shoe shopping. (Ask me about that one sometime.)

In August of 2023, I experienced a first in my life. At 47, a diminishing number of these are left, as my kids quickly remind me. And so I relish the firsts when they come. Except this one. This one, I didn’t. At least not initially.

I am not always the easiest person to be around. If you ask my wife, she will, without equivocation, affirm that statement. I can be hard to love. I can be impatient, stubborn, and prideful at times, refusing to admit when I’ve screwed up even though I know I’ve screwed up.

Many years ago (before kids – so at least 20), I made this elaborate 12 Days of Valentine’s poster. Taking a sheet of poster board, I cut out 12 windows and taped paper in the back with whatever that day’s Valentine’s gift was. I know; it was super sappy. I’m sure someone out there is…

Admittedly, I don’t watch much TV. It’s not that I’m against TV. I just don’t get into it. But the show’s opening jingles stick with me. And even though I may have watched only one episode, the jingle for Two and a Half Men is bouncing between my ears. Right now. Just because I mentioned…

“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” We’ve all heard that phrase. We’ve used that phrase. Sometimes, we abide by that phrase. But sometimes we don’t. And there’s a lot of opportunity for both. As human beings, we average around 16,000 words in a single day!

I have a saying that I often share with others: You’re never sitting still in life. You’re either moving closer to God or further away from Him. We tend to drift if we’re not intentionally taking action. I want to take that idea in a slightly different direction, with the word direction being key.

I don’t see myself as being a good example as it seems like I have made more mistakes than accomplishments. I have dealt with my own personal battles with sin, with pride being the biggest issue. When I reflect on my past and compare it to my present, I am left wondering how I arrived…