I thought of a name for my autobiography, if I ever decide to write it: Well, That Didn’t Work.

My life is full of things that didn’t go the way I’d wanted or planned. Some incidents I’d drop in that file marked “It’s Just a Thing.” Another file would be marked, “What Were You Thinking?” And, unfortunately, one file would be marked “You Blew It.”

That third file would be full of unpleasant accounts.

I’m prone to be unduly hard on myself. Can I get an “amen?”

I’m learning, though, that all my past mistakes, those moments of weakness, are redeemable. Check this out.

The scene is the Garden of Gethsemane—a pivotal moment not just in biblical history, but as a metaphor for our own spiritual journeys. Picture it: the disciples, those closest to Jesus, succumbed to human weakness, dozing off when they were needed most. When they woke, imagine the weight of their regret, the sinking feeling of having missed a crucial moment to support their friend and teacher. It’s a scenario many of us can relate to on a personal level.

This story isn’t just about physical sleep; it’s about moments of spiritual slumber, times when we’ve been absent when it mattered most—missed opportunities to stand by someone, to make a difference, or to take a step of faith. And like the disciples, we often wake up to a harsh self-judgment: “How could I have let that happen?” We beat ourselves up, thinking it’s all over, that we’ve blown it for good.

But here’s the twist: despair isn’t an anomaly; it’s part of the human experience. It’s as common as the cold, and just as unwelcome. Yet, it’s in these moments of despair that Jesus steps in with a message that’s both startling and soothing. He essentially tells us, “Okay, you missed that one. But let’s not dwell on it. There’s more ahead.”

I like the concept of leaving our past failures in the “sweet embrace of Christ.” It’s about allowing ourselves to move on, not ignoring our mistakes, but not letting them anchor us in place either. Jesus’s approach is not one of dismissal but of gentle redirection: “Get up, and do the next thing.”

And what is this “next thing”? It’s moving forward with trust and faith in Him, praying and acting from a place of redemption, not regret. The best thing we could do is shift our focus from what we’ve done wrong to what we can do right, starting now.

This message is incredibly relevant for all of us. How often do we find ourselves paralyzed by past missteps? How frequently do we let the fear of failure stop us from stepping out again? Yet, here we’re reminded that our past doesn’t have to dictate our future. Our spiritual journey is not defined by how many times we’ve fallen, but by how many times we get up—and who we’re walking with.

Want some encouragement? The message is clear: there’s always a next step, a new chapter waiting to be written with God by our side.

So, let’s take this advice to heart. Let’s not let the sense of past failure defeat our next step. Instead, let’s lean into the “invincible future” with Jesus, trusting in His redemption, and always ready to do the next thing.

Until next time, keep walking in faith and light, embracing each new day and opportunity with the joy and assurance that comes from knowing He’s got us, every step of the way.

There’s an old saying that goes, “To err is human, to forgive, divine.” But we all know the real truth is, “To err is human, to pretend it never happened, even more human.” Unfortunately, Google hasn’t quite figured out how to erase our blunders from the memory of the universe. So, when you’ve really done something monumentally dumb, how do you recover? Don’t worry, even if you’ve successfully recreated the parting of the Red Sea in your kitchen or proven gravity’s existence with your new phone and a concrete floor, there’s hope.

Firstly, let’s address the elephant in the room. You’ve messed up. Congrats! You’ve officially joined the human race. Every Christian worth his or her salt knows that we’re not perfect beings. Remember Adam and Eve? They had one job, one rule. Yet, they still managed to drop the ball… or should I say, eat the forbidden fruit? But remember, it’s not about how we fall, but how we get up that matters.

Next, after messing up, we tend to panic. This typically involves a complex dance routine where we flail around wildly, knocking over anything within a five-foot radius, including dignity. Take a deep breath. Calm down. Remember, Jesus was known to calm storms, and I’m pretty sure he can handle your little weather system of chaos. Pause, pray, and remember to breathe. You’ve survived 100% of your worst days so far. This one won’t be the exception.

Then comes confession time. Don’t worry, this isn’t about baring your soul to everyone on Facebook, but about taking responsibility. Remember when King David took a nose-dive off the moral high dive and tried to hide it? Yeah, that didn’t go so well. So, own up to your mistake, apologize if necessary, and learn from it. After all, God loves a humble heart, and owning your mistake is a step towards humility.

Now that you’ve owned up to your blooper, it’s time to mop up the mess, even if that means literally getting a mop. Taking action not only helps rectify the situation but also demonstrates your commitment to righting the wrong. Remember, faith without works is dead. So, don your superhero cape (or apron) and dive into the action.

Afterwards, remember that everyone has messed up, and most likely in more spectacular ways than you. Peter, the rock upon which Christ built his Church, had quite the impressive goof-up portfolio. He denied knowing Christ not once, not twice, but three times! Yet, he bounced back and became one of the greatest apostles. The point is, we all make mistakes, so cut yourself some slack.

Finally, find the humor in your situation. Laughter is the best medicine, and a bit of self-deprecating humor can defuse even the most disastrous blunders. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” So, why not apply that medicine to your self-inflicted wounds?

As you navigate through the minefield of your monumental mess-ups, remember that you’re not alone. We serve a God of second chances (and third, and fourth…). He specializes in turning messes into messages and tests into testimonies. He took Peter’s denials and turned them into devotion, Paul’s persecution into proclamation, and He can take your blunders and turn them into blessings.

Messing up might feel like the end of the world, but it’s not. It’s simply an opportunity to learn, grow, and become a better version of ourselves. After all, some of our best stories come from our worst mistakes. Remember, we are all clay in the hands of the Master Potter. Sometimes, He has to remold us a few times before we come out just right. So, the next time you do something dumb, take a deep breath, pray, and prepare for your divine redo. It might just be the start of an amazing transformation.

Procrastination. I’m so good at it I could teach it on the graduate level.

I’ve tended to blow procrastination off as just a “thing,” a tendency that isn’t exactly laziness but just a desire to put things off. Never put off anything until tomorrow unless you can put it off till next week, right?

Yet, in a couple of life areas and ambitions these days, procrastination is hurting me. For real. So, I thought I’d do some digging around, and lo and behold, I’ve found that there are some Christian principles that can help you and me deal with this sneaky scourge. 

If you’re a procrastinator, see if this helps. 

Procrastination is a common struggle that affects individuals from all walks of life. As Christians, we are not immune to this challenge. However, we have the advantage of Christian teachings and principles to guide us in overcoming procrastination.So, then, we will explore the reasons behind procrastination, and how we can use our faith and Christian values to overcome it.

To get us on the same page, here’s my definition of procrastination:

Procrastination occurs when we put off tasks or delay taking action, often in favor of less important or more enjoyable activities. This behavior can be rooted in fear, self-doubt, perfectionism, or a lack of motivation. Whatever the cause, procrastination can hinder our growth, both personally and spiritually.

I’ve succumbed to all four of those root causes at some point or another. Yeah, I’m pathetic.

What to do about procrastination? Here are my eight thoughts:

1 – Recognize the Spiritual Implications of Procrastination

Procrastination can often stem from fear, self-doubt, perfectionism, or a lack of motivation. I mentioned those earlier. It is essential to recognize that these feelings can be detrimental to our spiritual growth. Ephesians 5:15-16 reminds us to “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.” By addressing the spiritual aspects of procrastination, we can begin to understand the importance of using our time wisely and for God’s glory. Funny to think about how procrastination might be hindering what God wants to do in and through you.

2 – Trust in God’s Strength

One reason for procrastination may be the fear of failure or the belief that we are not capable of completing the task at hand. I never thought of a fear of failure being a contributing factor, but it sure can be.  As Christians, we can overcome this fear by putting our trust in God and relying on His strength to help us accomplish our goals. Philippians 4:13 reminds us that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (What a verse … it can address most anything!) By leaning on God’s strength, we can overcome our self-doubt and push forward with confidence. 

3 – Pray For Guidance and Strength

Is procrastination, at its heart, a spiritual matter? I think it is.

As we strive to overcome procrastination, prayer is a vital tool to help us focus on God’s will and seek His guidance in our lives. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” By consistently turning to God in prayer, we can find the strength and wisdom needed to tackle our tasks and live purpose-driven lives.

4 – Seek God’s Wisdom

In this season, I’m all into this wisdom thing. I’m not talking about just being smart, or even making good decisions. I’m talking about being wise and making wise decisions.

Procrastination can sometimes stem from a lack of direction or understanding of our purpose. To combat this, we should turn to God for wisdom and guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 – a favorite for many of us – encourages us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” By seeking God’s guidance, we can gain clarity and direction in our lives, reducing the temptation to procrastinate.

5 – Develop a Sense of Purpose

How many times do we have to hear “you were put here for a reason” before it actually sinks in and becomes a reality?

Understanding our purpose as Christians can provide us with the motivation to prioritize our time and energy effectively. Reflect on the unique gifts and talents that God has given you, and consider how you can use them to serve others and glorify God. Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”

6 – Set Realistic Goals and Break Tasks into Manageable Steps

Procrastination can just melt away when I put goals in writing, and tease them out into steps I can measure.

There are beaucoup tools that help me move the needle. Zig Ziglar has been a tremendous help. And the Self Journal by Best Self Co. is my go-to. Once I settled in and actually used these resources, things really changed for me. 

To combat procrastination, it is crucial to set realistic goals and develop a plan to achieve them. Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps to reduce feelings of overwhelm and make progress more achievable. Proverbs 21:5 states, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” By planning and setting achievable goals, we can work diligently and use our time wisely.

7 – Practice Self-Discipline

Procrastination and the “D” word. I can’t get around it. Discipline has to be part of the plan. Sorry. 

Self-discipline is a virtue that Christians are encouraged to develop, as it helps us remain focused on our spiritual growth and resist worldly temptations. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 highlights the importance of self-discipline, likening the Christian life to a race that requires dedication and perseverance. To overcome procrastination, we must develop self-discipline by setting realistic goals, creating a schedule, and holding ourselves accountable.

Seeking accountability from fellow believers, such as friends or family members, can encourage us to stay on track and fulfill our responsibilities. You’ll just have to figure out what that looks like for you.

8 – Embrace the Power of Grace

Finally, it is important to remember that we will not always be perfect in our efforts to overcome procrastination. In these moments, we must rely on God’s grace and forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reassures us, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

I beat myself up so often that I should cover myself in bubble wrap. Grace, y’all. If you’re weak, in procrastination or in other areas, it’s okay. God wants to do the heavy lifting, and if you’ll let Him, you’ll have one powerful testimony.

Overcoming procrastination is an ongoing process that requires intentionality, self-reflection, and reliance on God’s guidance. You won’t ever be completely free of this burden, but you can manage it.

Hope this encourages you. Be well!

It seems that some “life rules” for this new year might be in order.

There’s nothing magical about these*, but they seem pretty appropriate. Fact is, they’re good life rules for any year.

Here ya go. Seven life rules, with some ruminations from me.

1 – Make peace with your past.

We all have those incidents from our past that tend to linger in our life’s rear-view mirror. That’s understandable. But what you want to be wary of is letting those past things, whatever they are, not disturb your present.

We don’t get do-overs. What’s done is done. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along. It’s called the past for a reason. Glean what you can, but don’t camp there. Don’t let them confound your present.

2 – What other people think of you is none of your business.

Here’s a tough life rule for you, perhaps. There is absolutely zero you can do about what people think. Honestly, what difference does it make? You be you. Be authentic. To the extent you can internalize this one, the more freedom you have. Chances are you can’t change someone’s mind about you, so don’t bother trying. Leave it alone. Again, just be real. Don’t let others put snakes in your head.

3 – Time heals almost everything.

This particular life rule has a little disclaimer – “almost.” Time is a healer, but it’s not the end-all. Hurts can leave scars even after healing takes place. I get that. You don’t want to live with perpetual regret or pain, obviously.

In essence, the counsel of this life rule is “give it time.” Some things just don’t lend themselves to quick fixes. Time is relative – years? Decades? A week? Who knows. It depends. (Is this vague enough for you?)

I’ll stand by this one. Whatever is out of whack with you, give it time.

4 – No one is is charge of your happiness.

Except you.

Think someone or something outside of yourself is supposed to make you happy? Nope. Life’s not like that, and the life rule is that you are responsible. There’s a prevalent entitlement mindset in our society these days we need to shuck.

This is not the same as God-given joy. He does give joy. What I’m talking about is the notion that the world exists to give you pleasure. Alert: the world doesn’t owe you anything, at least not happiness. There is the idea of “the pursuit of happiness,” and that’s actually pretty legit. There is nothing wrong with finding some fun out there and enjoying it.

Pursuit is the key word in this famous historical phrase, because it implies that you go looking for it. It doesn’t automatically come to you.

I’d hasten to say this isn’t a license for hedonism. You are in charge of your appropriate happiness. I’ll let it go at that.

5 – Don’t compare your life to others.

That, and don’t judge them either. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

This particular life rule has a couple of components that are complementary. I suppose we’ve all done this – looked at someone with envy because they seem to be getting all the breaks. They’re sharper than you, better looking, healthier, all that. Even when you go beyond surface appearances, they still seem to have it all together.

I hate to feel like that. Because they are unique, you and I are unique, and because of that there doesn’t even need to be any comparison. You be you, in other words, and I’ll be me, and I will believe the ancient script that states that I’m fearfully and wonderfully made.

And that judging thing? Have mercy. I’ll talk to someone, or read something they’ve posted on social media, and I wonder: Did your mama drop you on your head as an infant?

Because … what I’m hearing is so patently absurd and devoid of reason or critical thinking that I want to say, “Maybe your ignorance doesn’t need to be on such blatant display.”

I’ll hold my comments about the worst of the conspiracy theories.

The thing is that folks have a reason to believe what they believe. Who am I to judge? I don’t know their stories. Theirs are no less valid than mine. What I see is just a screen capture of one tiny part of their life journey. How could I devalue that?

6 – Stop thinking so much.

There is a divine element to this life rule. It is okay to not have all the answers. You wouldn’t handle omnipotence very well. None of us would. And “why?” is a perfectly acceptable question, as long as you don’t think you’re owed a satisfactory answer.

The good news is that when you need an answer, God may very well reveal it to you when you least expect it. Or not; He can certainly keep His own counsel, and He does. Frequently.

It may sound simplistic to say “just go with it,” but you can turn yourself into a jabbering, drooling, maniacal mess when you try to figure everything out. Some things you won’t ever understand. Some things you will someday.

In the flesh, I say to myself, “quit spending so much time in your own head.” In reality, though, my default thought is “Tony, you are so messed up.” I suppose I’ll be working on #6 all my life. Sheesh. It’s still a good life rule, though.

7 – Smile. You don’t own all the problems in the world.

Oh, y’all. Please embrace this last life rule.

I’ve advocated here in my blog, and other places, to take periodic news fasts. There is a case to be made for being informed, but I’d really encourage you not to dwell on the things you can’t do anything about.

Many people I know and love are so anxious, even depressed, because of the state of the world. Certainly we need to be diligent in prayer for the needs all around us.

Inherent in that, though, has to come a heartfelt acknowledgement that God’s got this. The problems are His to deal with. And God has no problems, right? He is not trying to figure things out. So, if He’s doing all that heavy lifting, He certainly doesn’t need your help. He owns it all. Not you.

That, beloved, should make you smile. You better listen to your Uncle Tony – you don’t own the world’s grief. You can’t fix everything. Fact is, there’s not a whole lot you can fix, except things like a burned-out light bulb. You can’t fix other people. For the most part, you can’t fix yourself.

Again, smile. Here’s why:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

There’s your life rules. Be well. Talk later!

*These seven aren’t necessarily original with me. I’ll have to credit our old friend “author unknown.” I’ve just fleshed them out a little.

Life is full of hard lessons, now isn’t it?

This should be self-evident, but we could probably save ourselves a lot of grief if we’d just simply chill. What I’ll share with you today falls in that vein. This pondering on hard lessons might strike you as defeatist. I’ll go with it anyway; you may find this expendable.

Or it might just be what you need to hear today. It’s certainly what I needed.

With that as background, let’s peruse this. These are my three hard lessons. You could probably make up your own list. And this is just three out of many.

 1. Some people can’t or won’t change. Leave them alone. Leave them where they are.

Oh, y’all, this is so not me. I look around and see people suffering, frankly. I’m not talking about just physical ailments, although that could be part of the mix. Rather, I’m seeing people setting themselves up for heartache, embracing the wrong kind of pain, and being taught some hard lessons … and not growing because of them.

So here’s Tony, watching someone make perfectly soul-scarring choices, and watching their life unravel.

And I’m learning to leave them right where they are.

Hear me: this doesn’t mean that I don’t care. Quite the opposite. It just means that, despite the fact that I always want to fix people, much in the same way a mechanic would want to fix a car that continued to stall, I have to take my hands off.

When it comes to hard lessons, some people just have to experience some hard lessons. What this implies comes from Alcoholic Anonymous – paraphrased, it says that “you can’t want something for someone more than they want it for themselves.” In other words – hands off.

So I, in effect, just have to leave people alone. The upside? I can intercede. For we who are believers, this may be something that doesn’t come easy. Deeds, not words, right? Let’s get our hands on that person hurting and make things right with our wisdom and advice.

Nope. Take them to Jesus. And leave there. Be available, be present, but let God take them through the hard lessons.

2.  Accept the tough situations, and the good situations, for what they are.

This might be tough to absorb, but there are a whole lot of things in life that are out of your hands. But none of them, nothing, not a thing is out of God’s hands.

Capisce?

To clarify: this is not an invitation to roll over and play dead, turn a blind eye, or whatever metaphor you care to invoke. The hard lessons component to this is that you simply must accept what is in your life, good and bad, because God has either allowed it or ordained it.

There are some deep theological weeds to get into here. Not today, not from me.

Rather, understand that for believers there is no such thing as “it just is.” It is what it is, certainly, but again – it’s no accident that it is.

I’m all about providence and sovereignty. God’s in control. Were he not, if there was just one renegade molecule in the universe, then He would have to abdicate His throne.

Yes, work for change as you are directed by the Holy Spirit. But exercise some wisdom, too. You may just need to take your hands off things you can’t directly impact.

Again, intercede. Accept that God is Lord of all, and for pity’s sake, relax.

3. Realize not every action needs a reaction or response.

This is one of the really hard lessons for me. I blame it on social media – or, rather, my abuse of it.

Here’s the scenario. I’ll be scrolling through Facebook, looking for news and updates or friends, and finding memes that crack me up.

Then I’ll read a post, invariably from someone I love or respect, and think to myself, “Are you nuts?” (Things from strangers don’t affect me this way.)

I’ll read something that is so blatantly wrongheaded and untrue, something that was cut and pasted or reposted without one scintilla of rational thought or vetting, and think “do you even know how ignorant this makes you sound?”

Then I get all self-righteous, as in “I’d never share anything so moronic. I’m better/smarter/more reasoned than that.” If it’s from someone I know to be a Christian, I think, “You’re making us all look bad.”

At that point, I feel the need to challenge that person’s thoughts, because, hey, don’t you want to know if you’re wrong?

I’ll type out one of my typical, reasoned, eloquent responses. I’ll put a lot of thought in it, because I don’t want to be reactionary. I want them to know of my respect for them, their measured thinking, and (hopefully) without dissing them, I’ll dismantle them by pointing out (in love) the fallacies in their statements.

Then I’ll sit back, all smug and self-satisfied…

And then delete it all.

Here’s one of my really hard lessons I’ve had to learn: I don’t have to correct everyone. Know why? I don’t always know their story.

People post and share out of a sense of who they are, what values they hold, and what beliefs are cherished by them. If I say anything, even if I’m trying to correct a position they hold, it invariably comes across as an attack on them. Most people can’t separate their beliefs from who they are.

And, as hard as this is to conceive, I might be wrong.

Of all the hard lessons, this is the toughest of the three for me. I simply don’t need to respond to everything I read. Sometimes I might. Sometimes I should. But, by and large, it seems wise for me to just listen.

That’s my three hard lessons. If you’ve of a mind to comment, I’d love to hear your hard lessons, too.

Be well.

Do you have any fake relationships? Let me explain.

I know lots of people. Actually, it seems that a lot of people know me, and I don’t know them. Part of it is the nature of my job; I’m all over the state, frequently in lots of churches, and have met tons of students and adults over the years. So when I run up on someone who says “Hey, Tony!” I just roll with it. Or I’ll be honest and say, “Hey! But I’m gonna need a little help here.” Most folks are gracious and understanding.

But the fake relationship thing. That’s touchy.

It’s touchy because there are some people I love being around. I just got back from a visit to Metro Vancouver/Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Those are some forevermore special friends up there. For an introvert, I was over-the-top chatty and engaged with them. It was balm for my soul, and I miss them already. And there are plenty of folks stateside that I love to be around, too.

Others make me cringe. It’s those folks I see in the grocery store from a distance, and I want to abandon my buggy in the aisle and head for the door. It’s that person that I know who wants to chat me up for an hour without saying anything. Then there are those clingy folks, and that friend from college I haven’t heard from in ages who wants to share a business opportunity with me. 

And sometimes it might even be that really good friend who wants something from me I can’t give. That’s not a fake relationship, but it’s one that sometimes, briefly, I just can’t accommodate. 

In church work, it’s that standard “How ya doing?” question, with my response, “I’m doing just fine.”

It’s “just fine” because I’m just not in a place where I can engage, and truthfully, we ask that question not wanting much more than “I’m fine. And you?” The next response is “I’m fine, too.” That’s the bizarre little conversational dance we find ourselves in.

This isn’t a bad thing, and it can be foundational to more conversation, but fact is I/we can be nice without being honest. 

It may be that pretending to care (God help me – I may sometimes be guilty of that!) or to pretend to be someone else for a few moments is easier than investing in another person. Well, there’s your fake relationships right there. Surface level relationships drain me so bad. I can do small talk for a while, and be pretty convincing, but at some point, we gotta go deeper or go home.

My burdensome realization? We just aren’t made for bogus, fake relationships.

God isn’t particularly interested in our reputations. He calls for blatant authenticity. We’re supposed to be relational (and if I’m invested in you, I’m all in. Maybe that’s a good thing. I want to believe it is, even when it drains me.)

The personally sobering fact is that we are all created for authentic relationships that help us connect with others. And for someone who can be pretty content with hanging out with myself and Jesus, to the semi-exclusion of those around me – this is a challenge. I ain’t gonna lie. 

But – and this is a big but – I never, ever intend to be that fake friend. I’m either real or I’m not. I love everyone, and that’s the unvarnished truth. My friend group is pretty limited, but I do well with folks outside of it. For a while, at least – then I’ll need to go lay down and recharge.

I do understand, though, that my nature can cripple relationships with those around me. So, in order to escape the trap of fake relationships, there are some steps I can take. Here are three:

1. When we aren’t open and even a bit vulnerable, we can lose sight of grace. If I pretend to have it all together and be the life of the party, I can disengage from my group and can forget who I am in Jesus. It takes a lot of unhealthy effort to pretend to be something we aren’t. We can forget that we’re God’s children, and we don’t need to perform or pretend for Him. It’s not like we need to parade our goodness before Him, or convince Him that our lives are Instagram perfect. We forget grace; He’s accepting of us no matter what we do or what we think. Lose sight of grace, and you’re gonna be one hurtin’ puppy.
2. If we aren’t vulnerable, it’s hard to have friendships that are blessed. This vulnerability thing – in my case, I’m not going to let you know anything meaningful about me, or I’m going to puke all over you and possibly give you more reality than you can handle. Lord have mercy, how hard it is to find that sweet spot balance! But shallow friendships aren’t much fun, over the long haul. I mean – if we can’t share some hurt with our friends, how can we share in the joys? If you look at Jesus, He was the real deal with everyone – friends, disciples, family, Pharisees, the Romans. He was authentic. So if authenticity makes us more like Jesus, maybe that’s a virtue worth cultivating.
3. When we’re not vulnerable, we just can’t love others like we should. That’s fertile ground for some fake relationships. I don’t know if you’re a people-pleaser – I’ll cop to having those tendencies, but not as much as I did when I was younger – but trying to live up to others’ expectations is going to make you really tired. Furthermore, people-pleasing isn’t loving the other person. If you love someone, you want the best for them. It follows that since we’re screwed-up humans, what we want is often not what we need. If we’re going to love appropriately, we can’t be controlled by their opinions. When we’re honest with our friends and families, we have more freedom to love them because we aren’t wasting our energy trying to present ourselves as someone or something we aren’t.

The unpleasant reality is that we may have some fake relationships. To make those relationships authentic can be hard. 

If we can be honest and real without being needy or manipulative, then we are well down the road to authenticity, and fake relationships won’t have to be the norm. We can more effectively follow Jesus and love people even better. 

Having an authentic relationship with Jesus can make us more like Him, and it’s so worth it.

Talk later!

Doomscrolling. Isn’t that an ominous term?

Doomscrolling is one more term that’s entered our vocabulary in the age of COVID. Others include “long-hauler,” “mask shaming,” “flatten the curve,” “social distancing,” and so forth. These are all terms I’d just as soon we drop, honestly.

But doomscrolling is a little different. It’s not a recognized term in the Merriam-Webster yet, but probably will be. Wikipedia offers this:

Doomscrolling (also known as doomsurfing)^[1] is the act of consuming a large quantity of negative online news at once. Mental health experts^[vague] have stated that the practice can be detrimental to mental health.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

That last sentence? Well, duh.

Here’s what I’m observing, and what I’d like you to consider, too.

First – do you self-identify as a doomscroller? I’d guess that you’re perfectly aware of how you spend your online time. You may not be as aware of what it’s doing to you by making you anxious, depressed, or feeling isolated. Ugh.

Here’s a helpful exercise.

Pick the social media platform you spend the most time on, especially if you’re a poster, or tend to respond to others’ posts frequently.

We’ll use the ubiquitous Facebook as an example.

Next, do an audit of your posts. Go back a couple of weeks or more and see what you’re saying or responding to. More on that later.

Here’s your red flag: If your posts or your replies tend to be about how awful things are, you are a certified doomscroller. You, consciously or not, are loving being negative.

I mean. Is that healthy?

We live in a chaotic world, and I’m not denying that. Most of the chaos we can’t do anything about, because it’s simply out of our hands. What we can do is manage our response to chaos.

Think about it, and I’ll focus on last year. 2020 was a Greatest Hits of Awfulness – George Floyd, COVID, the presidential election … and those are just for starters.

True, you could take action on those issues. The death of George Floyd certainly ramped up my awareness of racism. COVID divided folks into warring camps – maskers vs. non-maskers, vaccine takers vs. vaccine rejectors, Trumpers vs. non-Trumpers, and so forth. And conspiracy theories about all these abound.

I’ll make a clear distinction between the things you can actually take action on and influence the outcome vs. the things that we can’t. That’s where doomscrolling comes in.

There is this awful human tendency to dwell on the negative. Sometimes, it seems that some folks are actually embracing the negative.

Here’s what happens. You are drawn to awfulness. I think this is a hard-wired part of our nature. The sense is that what’s bad can hurt us, so in order to protect ourselves, we focus on the bad so that we can avoid it.

In 2021, it doesn’t work that way. We don’t avoid the bad. We marinate in it.

Earlier I mentioned doing an audit of your posts. I have some FB friends – and they really are friends – who post incessantly on how bad things are. I get that. I also wonder about their mental and emotional state. When I’ve asked, a couple of them have admitted that they’re in a bad place, but they keep on wallowing in bad news.

What’s worse, folks who are doomscrolling tend to want to have others join them in their misery. So they feed off each other’s posts, agree with how bad things are, and end up in a cycle of wretchedness.

My simple question: Is this helpful?

My mail order psych degree informs me that this isn’t a good thing. Unless you get some sort of perverse delight out of being miserable, doomscrolling will take a toll on you.

My counsel? Just stop.

Let’s say you run across something on social media that troubles you. You scroll through all the responses, because you want answers. You want to know what’s really going on. And the further you did, the worse you feel. You assume that if you can find an answer (was the election really rigged? Is COVID a Chinese plot? Who was actually responsible for the attack on the Capitol? Was it the Illuminati? Aliens?) you’ll feel better. But in that search, you’ll find that your soul can become tarnished.

Just. Stop.

Here’s how to stop. It isn’t original with me. It’s ancient script from Philippians 4:

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Believer, you better pay me some attention here. This will help you.

You were just bombarded by God’s truth in the passage above. When you doomscroll, you are saying, “Yeah, that’s good biblical counsel right there, but I’d much prefer immersing myself in awfulness.”

Don’t reject God’s truth on this one. I mean, He flat-out tells you what to think about.

Don’t be disobedient. I know it’s hard. Simply walk away when you find yourself going dark.

And look at pictures of puppies.

Be well.

Comments welcome.

I had a friend tell me once, “Your mind can be working perfectly well, but at the same time your emotions can be out in the street kicking cans.” I rather liked that, even though the truth of it isn’t pleasant. What is it about our emotions that can grab us and drag us all over the map? Why is it that our rational thinking can say one thing but our emotional state undo our sane thinking?

Let me share with you ten random thoughts about emotions. These don’t have any real clinical backing – in full disclosure, this is the Gospel According to Tony, and as such is really fallible. These aren’t in any particular order.

1. Your emotions don’t have to control you.

Fact is, they often do, but that comes as a matter of choice. For instance, you can’t truthfully say “He makes me mad.” Nope. No one can make you anything. You might receive some sort of stimulus, but you can choose your response. In this age of entitlement when everything is someone/something else’s fault, we tend to forget one huge fact – you have been given the power to choose. Isn’t that something.

2. Examine your emotions frequently. 

This may smack of some sort of feely-touchy navel gazing, but its actually healthy to monitor how you’re feeling at any given time. Many times your emotions are just a reflection of what you believe, about yourself and the world around you. Furthermore, emotional responses often are based on false perceptions – for instance, things are seldom actually as bad as they seem, but we act like little things are apocalyptic. We react to perception instead of reacting to reality.

3. You may think you’re a “feeler.” That’s fine, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a “thinker,” too.

 There’s a balance here. You may be one of those people who lead from their gut – letting an emotional tsunami totally override rational thought. You aren’t an amoeba, or lungfish, or cocker spaniel. You don’t operate totally on instinct. You can reason and ponder. (As an aside, I cringe when people suggest that you “follow your heart.” Ancient script teaches that the heart is deceitful among all things. That’s fodder for another blog.)

4. Sadness won’t kill you.

This one is tough; we view sadness and sorrow as alien and unwelcome. Sure, I’d prefer to be happy over being sad. But there’s good that comes from it. You’re better able to identify with folks, and minister to folks, who are in similar circumstances. I am personally more attracted to people who struggle and persevere than people who seem to have it all together (spoiler: they DON’T). You couldn’t survive on the same emotional plane all the time. It’s like the seasons … all four are necessary to the health and well-being of the planet and us.

5. God cries. Jesus wept. 

The joke is that for me, sometimes my bladder gets behind my eyeballs. I don’t think I’m as prone to the weepies as I used to be. Maybe that’s an age-related thing. But remember – quoting the great theologian Gandalf the Gray, “Not all tears are evil.” Nor are they a sign of weakness. But you knew that already.

6. Emotions change like the seasons.

I’ve already hinted at this, but no one – unless there are some other problems or issues – stays in one constant emotional state. Don’t fret if your emotions change, even frequently. There are all sorts of dynamics that can go into that. If your emotions are totally uncontrollable, that’s one thing. But if you just have a blue day, or if you find that simple things give you joy the next, that’s perfectly fine. How you are today is most likely not the way you’ll remain. That’s a good thing. Now, GOD is constant, but that, too, is for discussion some other time.

7. Figure out whether time alone, or time with other people, is the best way to deal with your emotional state. 

Obviously, this depends on the situation and the emotions you’re experiencing. Sometimes you simply need someone else around, someone you trust, someone you can bounce questions off of. (Choose wisely!) And there are other times when you need to withdraw from humanity for a season and decompress. Know yourself and know what you need. Take care of you – if you don’t, you won’t be able to take care of anyone else.

8. Figure out to do with Philippians 4:6, where Paul tells us not to be anxious. 

Here’s what it says, in the New International Version: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Well, pilgrim, I’m guessing that the “don’t be anxious” command might sound like a fantasy. Maybe you’re a worrier. Maybe you worry because you worry. The key, I think, to making this verse a reality in your life is found in the last sentence of verse 5: “The Lord is near.” That’s the truth to cling to – no matter how bad things seem to be unraveling around you, God is right there. Right there. 

9. Those who don’t feel deeply wish they could.

This is an odd little truth, but folks who stand around stoically taking in the world, wondering what all the personal storm and stress is all about, secretly long to be able to engage on something besides a purely intellectual level. It’s okay and encouraged to feel, and to feel authentic emotion. It completes us as human beings. That’s all to say that you simply need to be real. And, perhaps, feel a little compassion for those that don’t.

10. You have the ability to feel because God has emotions, too.

We’re made in His image, right? We want to be wary of assigning God the same types of emotions we experience – for instance, when ancient script speaks of God being a jealous God, it’s not the same sort of jealously we experience. But He is a God of unbridled joy, and I think He enjoys seeing us having that same joy. And He reserves His anger and wrath for sin – He never “flies off the handle.” If you’re emotional, you’re in good company.

Here’s a bonus (I couldn’t keep it at just 10), and it’s all about supernatural comfort: 2 Cor. 1:3 – 4 … Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. That’s it, right there.          

We’re talking about a food mindset today. It’s always a joy to introduce y’all to a guest blogger. I ran across Chad Gramling more or less randomly, like I’m prone to do.

He’s multifaceted, for sure, and his book, Food Thrifting, is available on Amazon at the link. Man, it’s good. It goes way way beyond just money saving. I’ve had a wonky relationship with food all my life, and this helped me get some sense and focus.

Chad hangs out at 1Glories.com. His blog is darn good, and he’s one worth following.

Check this out. It’s good stuff!

How Your Food Mindset Can Improve Your Wellbeing

Like it or not, we all have relationships with food and money. The same reasons we seek out “retail therapy” may be the same reasons we go for a pint (or gallon) of ice cream. Could be a bad day. Could be that you have reason to celebrate. Whatever the reason, there is a relationship.

It’s proof that, as people, we are prone to misplacing our relationship emphasis on stuff, like food and money. This is instead of with God and God’s people.

Of course, the food suppliers and marketers of our world know we behave this way. They know we lack discipline over our spending and eating. Couple this with being a noisey culture that’s constantly busy; and healthy — or even unhealthy — eating as a family becomes less frequent. A rarity, perhaps, for some families.

In our noisy culture, food is fast. Food is fuel. Food is a substitute. Something to “fill us.” It’s a substitute for the connection of a relationship.

Righting Your Food Mindset

Having the good fortune of growing up with the influence of both sets of grandparents who were products of the Great Depression, I got many lessons on stewarding food resources. So much so, it became a pillar of my personal worldview.

That’s why I can’t help but notice when I see people who would gain value in knowing and adopting some of these behaviors into their own lives.

Years back, I felt a calling from God to share these lessons by compiling them into a book. The book had a few starts and stops. I put it off, and then something changed that compelled me to finally finish it.

Food and Poverty

As our worst fears over the Coronavirus started becoming real, and the whole world essentially lurched toward a shutdown, people — as would be expected — panicked. Store shelves were depleted and food suppliers couldn’t replenish fast enough.

The impact of seeing this upon my psyche was pretty severe. You see, during the course of researching and writing my book, FoodThrifting, I took a deep dive into the state of food, food distribution, and skills for preparing food in this country. What I had observed convinced me that the food industry is one of the big reasons poverty exists here and elsewhere in the world.

While witnessing the shelves being emptied and meat markets unable to keep up with demand, I took it all in. I thought about the single-parent on a limited income or a family living paycheck-to-paycheck. And then, once they had funds to get their regular groceries, possibly couldn’t find anything to buy. I thought about the households where cooking wasn’t a skill they were taught while growing up and therefore relies more on restaurants, which were mostly closed. I thought about the kids that get much of their food through free school meals, which were at risk of not being available.

Relationships with Food Matters

Poverty is a very real part of life. And Jesus said there will always be poverty (Matthew 26:11). I don’t think he said this to tell us to just accept it as fact. No, I think he said it as a mandate to live and love by his example.

How so?

Well, dig into your Bible and you will see Jesus using food, not as a substitute, but as a facilitator of relationships. Author, professor, and preacher, Leonard Sweet, notes, that food “was the language Jesus used to introduce us mortals to the wisdom of God and the ways of creation. Think about it. Every time you turn around in the Scriptures, Jesus is eating and drinking. These feasts are significant. They tell us of a God of Joy and celebration, a God of life and health, a God who offers us ‘soul food,’ the very ‘bread of heaven.”

Following the example of Christ and his ministry, we can use food to facilitate relationships. To help people achieve increased wellness in their lives, whether physically, financially, or spiritually. Truthfully, as I have learned, all three go hand-in-hand. And being a responsible steward of your food and money resources – thereby being well in your own life and being able to help others in theirs – allows you to work towards all three at once.

Here’s some lifehacks, just for fun. The last two blogposts were kinda heavy. Let’s lighten up.

You want practical? Today I’m giving you practical.

Lifehacks – Being “neat.”

1. Make up your bed every morning. Yeah, I know you’re gonna get back in it tonight. But you’ll feel great because you’ve at least accomplished something, and you can do it in a minute or less.

2. Look in the mirror while you’re getting ready and repeat “I feel TERRIFIC” several times. Then you’ll feel terrific.

3. Get a candle (I like Yankee Candles) or a diffuser with essential oils (Young Living is what we use, and my wife Teresa dabbles in sharing it with others.) I was a late convert, but I’ve decided there may be something to all this.

4. Have a “drop zone” box, like a clothes hamper, where you dump everything and anything that’s not paper. Don’t worry what goes in it. At the end of the day, clear it out and decide where it all goes.

5. Automate your chores. Use a timer and block out 15 minutes. Work like a dog during those 15 minutes cleaning and tidying. Then when the timer sounds, finish whatever it was you were working on and walk away.

6. Set three main goals a day. Don’t worry about prioritizing them – they all could be ranked #1. Don’t overload your to-do list or you’ll hit the wall and not do anything … or at least you’ll put it off when you shouldn’t.

7. Even if one of the items on your list is “brush my teeth,” that’s okay. It’s the little things that motivate you to stretch further. Don’t wait on motivation. It ain’t gonna happen.

8. Have a physical inbox for your stuff, all that random paper that comes your way. Drop it and forget it. (See #4). At the end of the week, sort through it and deal with it. Only once. Don’t revisit it.

9. Fold or hang up your clothes right out of the dryer. It’ll keep you from having to iron so much.

Lifehacks – Organization and productivity

10. There’s this thing called Eisenhower’s Matrix. Popularized by Stephen Covey, it helps you determine what’s urgent and important. You need to learn from this. Google it.

11. Do a little research into the Pomodoro technique. It’s one of the best tools I know to keep you focused and on task, and to help you use your time wisely.

12. Use a planner/organizer! I have a deep meaningful relationship with Michael Hyatt’s Full Focus Planner. I am a Hyatt Bot. His stuff has been a game changer for me. www.michaelhyatt.com. And www.fullfocusplanner.com. But Google Calendar and Apple apps can serve you, too, and a recent favorite find of mine is Moleskine’s Timepage, available for iPhone and Android.

13. Journal. Get it all out of your head and onto paper. It’s easier to deal with that way. You can bullet journal (check Pinterest on this one). I used Moleskine for years, but these days I’m all about the Leuchtturm 1917. Keep your brain contents dumped!

14. Check out Taming the Paper Tiger, online or in book form. Have a folder for your important documents – medical, insurance, bank, etc. At the front of the folder, have a sheet of paper with important info on it.

15. Schedule down time as well as work time. Be purposeful in giving yourself permission for leisure. You need that.

Lifehacks – Money

16. Have a budget. This is not a negotiable. Let me say it again: Have. A. Stinkin’. Budget.

17. Use a money tracker. Mint is a freebie, but for me it’s actually too automated. I purely love You Need a Budget (www.ynab.com). Again, this was a game changer. It’s fun. No, really. It’s such a fresh approach to dealing with money and having a spending plan it was like I moved from darkness to light.

18. Have a “money date” once a week. You don’t want to ever say, “Where did my paycheck go?” You Need a Budget or other tools can make this a rewarding time.

19. Don’t eat out so much. Make it a treat instead of a routine. Pack your lunch or a bag of snacks.

20. Get a zippered bank bag. On Saturday, put a $1 bill in it. The next Saturday, put two $1 bills in it. Third Saturday, put three. Add a dollar each week. Do this for a year. Your last week you’ll be putting $52 in the bag, but you will be STAGGERED when you see how much cash you’ve put aside.

Lifehacks – Food and Cooking

21. Know how to cook some basics – mac and cheese, a chicken breast, veggies, and some sauces. You can save some money that way. BUT if convenience is a value you hold, frozen veggies you can steam in the bag have every bit as much nutritional value as fresh stuff.

22. Simple one-pot meals are a godsend. So is a Crock-Pot or other slow cooker.

23. Get an iron skillet and learn to use it.

24. Cook and freeze. A vacuum sealer machine is actually a great appliance to have.

25. Want to save some money? Buy dried goods – peas, beans, rice.

26. Learn seasoning combinations. Different seasonings, even with the same ingredients, can make a dish into something new and special. You can rule the world with lemon pepper and Lawry’s Seasoned Salt. Just don’t forget that salt and pepper are the foundation for all seasoning.

Lfehacks – Miscellaneous

27. Social media is a black hole. You know that already. It can drain your life. Budget, and if need be, restrict your time on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, etc.

28. Get a first aid kit. Learn to use it. Keep it stocked.

29. Know your OTC pain relief.

30. Keep a book of stamps and standard envelopes on hand for unexpected needs. It happens more often than you’d think.

There’s your lifehacks, just for fun. This should get you started. Be blessed!

Tony’s Question: Do you have any lifehacks that make things easier for you? Here’s an opportunity for you to share with the rest of us. Comment below, and don’t forget to share this blog with others!

I want to use my  blog space today to share what’s encouraging me these days.

If you could use a bit of encouragement today, here are some resources that can help. Going forward, I will be sharing more resources each month. Watch for them!

• For blog lovers

J.S. Park

He’s a hospital chaplain, a chaplain for the homeless, former atheist/agnostic, 6^th degree black belt, a recovered porn addict, intense introvert, suicide survivor, Korean-American, and loves Jesus. His blogs are almost poetic, in addition to being so encouraging.

• For podcast fans

Emily Freeman

Emily focuses on decision-making. She is all about “creating space for your soul to breathe so you can discern your next right thing.” She sure hits all the right notes.

• For help with Bible study

iDisciple

This is almost indispensable. It’s a faith-based resource that delivers personalized daily devotionals, sermons, articles, music, and more. This is the kind of app modern media was meant for.

• For prayer

Abide

This is the #1 Christian meditation app. Don’t blow off the power of meditation. It offers daily guided meditations including topics such as overcoming anxiety and worry, conquering depression, managing stress, discovering purpose, finding happiness, and much, much more. It can be a game-changer.

• For all around life improvement, life management, goal setting, and personal skills

Zig Ziglar

Anything you find here is solid. Zig passed on some years ago, but his son Tom has taken on the mantle. Ziglar produces some amazing stuff. This gentleman and his organization are hugely impactful. This isn’t just self-help/personal growth fluff. So highly recommended!

That’s my list. What are some resources you’ve found to give you hope, encouragement, and victory over anxiety and depression?

Let’s do this. How about posting your resources or thoughts in the comments section? I’d like to think we could all benefit from sharing what’s meaningful to us.

A free book giveaway?

I did a little survey a while back on the Facebook sister platform to this one (Transformational Encouragement – it’s a closed group, but ridiculously easy to join!) I was curious as to what books had impacted our members. There was a lot of great info and recommendations there.

This blog has been kinda heavy the last few weeks. So today I’ll lighten things up. I want to share 10 books, or book collections, that in this season are meaningful and helpful to me.

AND (drum roll, please!) I want to give away all ten books to one of y’all in a little contest! A free book giveaway. No, really.

Fun fun fun! More about that in a minute. Disclaimer: There are literally no strings attached. No purchase necessary (*snort*). These are brand new straight from Amazon. I want to give them away just for kicks. Books are meant to savor, and they also need to be passed along. Sit tight. At the end I’ll tell you how you can get them.

I can’t overstate this: this isn’t some sort of hustle or scam or me trying to pull something over on you. I tend to think of it as “paying it forward.” There are so many practical and provocative helps out there, helps to bring us to a place of transformation. I simply want to share, and a contest seemed like it might be fun. A free book giveaway – I’ve never done this before!

Here’s my latest ten, in no particular order:

1. Goliath Must Fall: Winning the Battle Against Your Giants, by Louie Giglio. Louie puts a great twist on the David and Goliath story. He talks about the threatening giants in our lives … fear, rejection, addiction, anger, defeat … and how to deal with them through Jesus.
2. A.W. Tozer: Three Spiritual Classics in One Volume: The Knowledge of the Holy, The Pursuit of God, and God’s Pursuit of Man. I mean. Tozer is amazing. You read these books (and this is a nice hardcover single volume) and you just have to pause from time to time in hushed silence. It’s like the sweetest cool drink of water on a hot day. Be prepared to be bombarded by truth.
3. Anchored in the Storm: Pursuing Christ in the Midst of Life’s Trials, by Adam Holland. Adam’s testimony is powerful stuff. He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, and this is a devotional book based on his experiences. While reading about distress and anguish might not sound like a fun activity, Adam has something to say.
4. The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions, by Emily P. Freeman. You’ll like this one. Emily gives helpful directions on how to get peace, clarity, and courage in making decisions. There’s a sweet underlying spirituality in this one I really like.
5. Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God, Revised and Expanded, Henry Blackaby. This isn’t the workbook, but rather a sublime text on doing just what the title suggests. There are workbooks, devotionals, study Bibles and such that are companion pieces, but this is the bedrock of Henry’s work. The first time I read it, it was like scales fell off my eyes. 
6. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life … And Maybe the World, by Admiral William H. McRaven. I love this one. It might be broadly classified as part of the “personal growth” genre, but it goes much deeper. “If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right,” McRaven says. It’s a fun and surprisingly rich little book.
7. The C. S. Lewis Signature Classics (Gift Edition): An Anthology of 8 C. S. Lewis Titles: Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, A Grief Observed, Abolition of Man, and The Four Loves. This is a spiffy multivolume slipcased set. And, Lordy, what can I say about Professor Lewis that hasn’t already been said? Just sublime, convicting, heady, rich, provocative, encouraging … I could run out of adjectives easily here.
8. Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, by Francis Chan. Oh my stars. Francis. This was my first exposure to him. It’s about real intimacy with Jesus, and this is one to savor.
9. My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Language Gift Edition by Oswald Chambers and James Reimann. There is no book other than the Bible itself that has made more of an impact on me and my relationship with God. It’s a devotional, yes, but a devotional on steroids. This isn’t some feel-good happy-thought guide. It’s solid, convicting, challenging reading and not for the spiritually faint of heart.
10. Windows of the Soul: Hearing God in the Everyday Moments of Your  Life, by Ken Gire. Like all the books I’ve mentioned, this is one that I’ve frequently given away. I aspire to write like Ken, both in content and style. This is sooo good, y’all. You’ll get fresh looks at God’s love, grace, and strength.

Now, if you’d like to enter this little contest, you’ll need to click HERE to get started. A free book giveaway!