Category Archives: Difficulties

Posted on

Three Words That Will Transform Your Marriage: Be, Receive, Deny

by

When I perform a wedding ceremony, I tell couples that remembering and applying three words–be, receive, deny–will guarantee a great marriage. It begins with choosing to be the right person. Before we’re married, we worry about finding the right person. Once we’re married and things get hard, we start wondering if we’ve married the right […]

Posted on

Are You Tormenting Yourself?

by

Worry: to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts. To give way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. To torment oneself. To dwell on difficulty or troubles. Do you do that? Do you worry? I hate to admit it, but I do. It’s a serious character flaw. […]

Posted on

The Best is Yet to Come

by

Someone I used to work with was killed by a tornado last night along with two of his children. He leaves behind a wife and seven children. Others I know suffered damage to their homes. A friend with cancer seems to be getting worse, not better, despite numerous rounds of chemotherapy and now experimental drugs. […]

Posted on

The Zombie-Like Christian Life

by

Let’s be honest. How would you describe your Christian life? Would you describe it as frustrating or fulfilling? Are you most often discouraged and defeated or joyful and hopeful? Do you feel like God is more disappointed or delighted in you? If the Christian life hasn’t been working so well, take a moment and read […]

Posted on

Pulling Back the Curtain

by

Do you ever wonder why God does some of the things He does? Or doesn’t do other things? I do. Do you ever ask, “Why God?” or “God, where are You?” I do. Let’s be honest, we don’t have God figured out. And never will. In fact, in Isaiah 55:8-9, God says: “For my thoughts […]

Posted on

What Are You Believing God For?

by

Early in his reign as king over Israel, God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Jesus once asked a blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?” Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge so he’d be an effective leader. Not surprisingly, the blind man […]

Posted on

Failed New Year’s Resolutions

by

We’re a week into the new year. If you made any resolutions, how are you doing? Maybe your goal is to get more organized or stop spending so much or begin making more time for family. Maybe it’s to exercise more and eat less. I’m always sad to see the Christmas season end, but I […]

Posted on

Why Isn’t the Christian Life Working?

by

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The Greek word that gets translated “full” means: exceeding some number or measure or rank or need, over and above, more than is necessary, superadded, exceeding abundantly, supremely, something further, more, much more than all, more plainly, superior, extraordinary, […]