A few years ago, my favorite show had its final episode. It was a great series that I enjoyed until the very finish, but like all good shows, you are never really sure if it is the end. Jesus knew the crucifixion would not be the end, but as today’s devotion points out, it had a vital purpose …

Practice what you preach. Your actions are so loud, I can’t hear what you’re saying. Those are things commonly said when people struggle to match our actions with our words. This has a significant impact on the sharing of our beliefs. You might even have a reputation that precedes an interaction with someone. Thus, it is important that we not only check what we say but also how it represents who we are. Today’s devotion speaks on how words are not always enough to win hearts over …

Everyone wants to win something.  Some people are so hung up on it that they will go as far as to say that second place is ‘the first loser.’  What’s worse, no one wants to feel like they are rewarded for just showing up.  It’s that latter part that bothers people on the topic of someone getting a ‘participation trophy.’  Sometimes, that criticism is totally warranted.  However, what about the child who tries something for the first time and has never gotten anything?  What if something becomes the start of a big thing?  There is something to be said for ‘just showing up’ particularly when there is effort behind it.  Today’s devotion is about how effort, no matter how big or small, leads to greater things …

We all love to be home. Everything is familiar and we know who to talk to and where to go. When you go somewhere, things feel unfamiliar. You must figure things out and your routines become very different. I thought about that and came to realize when that discomfort hits you, it can be unsettling. However, there are some people that feel calm and at ease as if nothing ever bothers them. It’s like they are at home. Whit God, we know where home is, but how do we repond when we are ‘on the road?’ Inquiring minds want to know, and here’s how you too can make the road ‘like home’ …

My wife and I are a team. We work together to make our relationship work. While there are times I may have to ask questions over what she is doing, making us work is not about my watching and critiquing her work in the situation. It is about my focus on my own efforts to ensure things work. This is true with God as well. I do not need to focus on what He will do. He will do it. I must work on my own efforts to make it work. That’s how collaboration works, and that’s what today’s’ devotion is about …

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me. I remember hearing that a lot. As a bit of a nerd particularly in my earlier years, I may have even said it. But we all realize just how false that truly is. Words do matter. They can hurt us in some cases for years. Ask someone whose parent never said, ‘I love you.’ As a Christian, we need to learn how our words matter. Today devotion focuses on that very thought …

We all know the saying, “The message is not for you.” Today’s devotion is a warning about that very thing. Sometimes the message is not for you because we are looking at it through our own lens. What if we put on someone else’s glasses for a minute? Might we find something hidden in the message that might be of value to us? I found that what I missed gave me greater insight. Perhaps, it will be for you too.

None of us will ever admit to hating another individual. You might hate brussels sprouts, cleaning the garage, or Manchester City if you love Soccer. We might even venture to hate a group of people. But an individual? That’s a tall order that requires a special threshold. So, what if you have reached that? Maybe, you need to take another look at what the story is because it may not be the right one …

You ever hear that song on the radio in your car that just does it for you? You start to shimmy your shoulders and move your head. You might even belt out a few words or two. If you were out on the dance floor or even in the shower, you might have to ‘bust a move.’ You know exactly the feeling of exhilaration that you feel inside. Imagine if that is the feeling God has over something. In fact, what if God danced? Guess what? He does, and guess why?