Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — In the last years of my mom’s life, she enjoyed living at a senior apartment complex. She formed fabulous friendships there. My sister-in-law and I are still in touch with a few of the special women even though my mom has been gone almost four years already. The Red Hat group went out for lunch or dinner once a month. The wine-and-cheese monthly gathering was always a highlight. Residents competed to bring the most popular appetizer. My mom was a great cook, so she enjoyed creating special treats and tasting others. She faithfully attended the monthly birthday parties to honor new and old … [Read more...]
Live long. Die old.
April 29, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — I’m not sure when it started, but it’s continued. At some point in almost every program with middle school and high school students, I have them repeat it after me. “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” Suicide is way too common – it’s the third leading cause of death for 11-19 year-olds. There are no words strong enough to express my grief every time I think about this. Today’s young people are overwhelmed by the amount of information available to them. Be a solid source of truth for … [Read more...]
Security & Freedom
April 22, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Security. Protection. Shelter. Safety. Refuge. Retreat. Defense. Safeguard. Sanctuary. Guard. Sure. Supported. Safe and sound. Trustworthy. Freedom from harm, danger, fear, hurt, wickedness, abuse, wrong, injury, Freedom from hopelessness, hurt, disaster, suffering, pain, damage, worry, trouble. Freedom FOR truth, belief, joy, hope, confidence, love, contentment, purpose, Freedom FOR happiness, playfulness, growth, peace, pleasure, blessings, anticipation. God. Jesus. The Holy Spirit. Forgiveness. Salvation. Security. … [Read more...]
Special Blog Post About the Boston Tragedy
April 16, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
If you’re like most people, you’re wondering how to talk with children about the tragedy that occurred in Boston yesterday. Here’s some advice. I truly hope it’s helpful. Respond to emotion with emotion. Feel your children’s feelings before you analyze them. Hug them. Cry with them. Listen. Listen longer. Keep listening. Even longer. Don’t be afraid of silence. Don’t say anything that would cause them to question if their emotions are right. Depending on your children’s ages, don’t assume they won’t hear about the bombing even if you haven’t discussed it. If you don’t homeschool, chances are good that teachers will bring it up. They’ll want to be helpful and maybe they can relate it to content they’ve been … [Read more...]
Letting Go to Steward Better
April 15, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Joey came to my home to cut off the dead limb from a tree in my front yard. I noticed it dying this winter as bark occasionally fell off. I wanted the limb cut off mostly so it wouldn’t break off in one of our frequent wind and thunderstorms. Of course, it was a bit ugly, too, as compared to the rest of the tree. I was concerned a disease might have caused the limb to die. I was relieved to learn that wasn’t the case. (Apparently when fruitless mulberry trees reach a certain age, limbs often begin to die.) Joey told me cutting the limb off was wise because the tree was still expending energy to that limb. By getting … [Read more...]
I Will Walk Beside You
April 8, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — How do you respond to life’s challenges? It tells us a lot about where you have your security. Who’s with you in times of need? It tells us a lot about your belonging. What do you make of your life after tragedy strikes? This tells us a lot about your purpose. A friend of mine models healthy responses to challenges and tragedy better than most. He wouldn’t claim he’s anyone special. He would properly credit God and His sustaining power. And, yet, any of us who know God know it’s our choice whether to rely on Him or not. Brandon has given me permission to share part of his recent Facebook post here. His … [Read more...]
Are You Alive?
April 1, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Are you alive today? Of course you are, if you’re reading this. :) Are you living? Did you celebrate LIFE at church yesterday? Let’s live grateful for it EVERY day. When we live with Christ’s sacrifice in mind, we will LIVE. Don’t waste it. Let’s LIVE! When people spend time with you, is LIFE appealing? Is Jesus appealing? Forgiveness freeing and sin damaging? Really LIVING appealing? I’m sad for people alive not living. We need to recognize our need for LIFE and have faith to see Jesus as the answer. He is life and He wants us to live. Daily. Every day. To be alive. To breathe. Inhale. Exhale. Bleed. … [Read more...]
Jesus Erased our “Certificate of Debt”
March 27, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — We’re going to take a week off from the series about individual smarts. Rather, I’d like to share a beautiful example of involving people’s picture-smart and body-smart intelligences when wanting them to grasp a point. In the past weeks, I explained much about being body smart here and picture smart here. Last Sunday, my Pastor Dr. Stephen Lowrie, taught from Colossians 2:8-15. He titled his message “Nailed to the Cross.” During his entire message, in the center of the sanctuary, on the floor, was a large cross with a brief message nailed to it. This immediately engaged our picture-smart … [Read more...]
For God So “Dvu”-d The World
March 25, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Love is on my mind. It’s Easter week. That makes it “love week” for me. It’s better than Valentine’s love, birthday love, and even wedding love because it’s about God’s love. I’m grateful I know and believe in the love sacrifice God made on our behalf. Our behalf. Ours. He sent His Son to take our sin upon Himself so we’d be forever free from the death penalty. I hope you know Him and believe. Please read what follows. It’s written by Bob Creson of Wycliffe Bible Translators USA. Titled, “God so ‘dvu’-d the World…” it’s one of the best things I’ve ever read about love. I’m glad … [Read more...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 5 – Body Smart
March 20, 2013 by · 4 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Each of our smarts, or intelligences, is born into us, but must be awakened by meaningful encounters with people and/or things. My body smart, or bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, was awakened when my parents enrolled me in ballet and tap dance lessons when I was about six-years-old. Prior to dance class, I was certainly moving, but I was clumsy and unsure of myself. Dancing increased my confidence and coordination. I went from taking lessons to becoming an assistant teacher. When I got older, I especially enjoyed softball and racquetball. I also spent years on drill teams and in marching bands. These … [Read more...]
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