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Productivity Tips from a 3000+ Words-Per-Day Writer
With just one semester of school left and an on-the-go lifestyle, I needed a way to make money without making a commitment. Freelance writing paid pennies, but I worked hard to turn the change into dollars. Fast forward five years. Writing anywhere from 3000 to 5000 words a day on average, that temporary side hustle…
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Give Me My Due or Else…
During one of my experiences working in a school, I encountered a new disciplinary system. Operating under the philosophy that positive reinforcement would encourage students to do their due, the school offered students tickets. A small “store” was open during lunch so students could exchange their tickets for various goodies. Although possibly a good idea,…
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Conquering by Force
Can you think of a victory in a game, a sport, or even a war that is owed to more to blunt force than to strategy? The weapons used, the position of troops, and the element of surprise are all vital to winning. Underdog teams win by crafty plans and perseverance, not force. Naturally, victories won…
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3 Ways to Swap for Better Comparisons
Like it or not, life is made up of comparisons. We compare our food choices in order to make an informed decision about what we eat. Our employers compare our work to industry standards to help us succeed. God in His Word compares the things of the flesh with the things of the Spirit to…
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God Won’t Budge
“Come oooooonnnn,” is a phrase I mostly use in the kitchen. By the fridge. Holding something with a lid. Twist-off tops and I don’t get along because they will NOT budge. In most cases, being inflexible, stubborn, or unmoving isn’t favorable. So often it seems like if we just grip tighter or twist harder, we’ll…
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Why We Should Forgive the Know-Nots
Some of Jesus’ dying words have befuddled me for a long time. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” –Lk 23:34 Umm, Lord? They did know. They knew Jesus didn’t deserve death- even the thief on the cross and Pilate knew that. All the righteousness they might have used as an excuse…
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One Kind of Love I Want to Emulate
7 ½ years ago, a goofy guy made an ice cream cone man using spinach leaves and other veggies. He walked up and introduced me to his frozen friend. Ever unable to keep a straight face, I tried to hold a serious conversation with the melting monster. I don’t know if he knew I needed…
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Are You Acting Like a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?
One of the questions we often ask when reading Scripture is “how does this apply?” We’re usually thinking in terms of what the Word means for our lives or what promises it holds. Sometimes we ask how it might comfort or exhort us. Scripture can also warn us about our own nature. Do you know…
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Self-Love: Biblical Fact or Fiction?
Ever wondered why loving ourselves well is so hard? The answer is simpler than all the “10 keys” and “tip sheets” let on. We seem to get the idea of self-love from the second greatest commandment: “love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Mt 19:19). Reasonably, we complete the logic puzzle: if we only love…
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Do You Feel Like a Faith-Failure?
He blessed a child and saw God raise him from the dead. He survived and played a leading role in one of God’s big droughts. He stood up to impetuous rulers who were murdering people like him willy-nilly. The man called down fire from heaven effectively! “Failure” is not a word we associate with the…