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This is the first of a thirteen episode series based on the ideas expressed by Francis A. Schaeffer in his book, True Spirituality: How to Live for Jesus Moment By Moment that was originally published in 1971. We'll be following his basic chapter outline and summarizing his key thoughts on living the Christian life within a modern context. It is well worth noting that even though it's been decades...

There is an interesting self-improvement practice that harnesses one of the most powerful tools available to us: humility. It has to do with imagining that everyone around you is playing an important role in your life as a coach or instructor. Some may even go as far as to say that one way to take this little exercise up a notch is to imagine that everyone around you is enlightened while you're th...

One of the most important elements in terms of living well has to do with guarding yourself against being drawn into quarrels and struggles that do not warrant your full involvement. Our time, talent, and energy are scare resources that must be managed properly. _____ Scripture references: Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own. (Proverbs 26:1...

It's easy to fall into a pattern of viewing day-to-day life as just a dress rehearsal for a later performance when things are just right and then we can finally experience peace and happiness. What's the best way out of that? Attributions: "In My Eyes - stripped" and "Headspace - blnkspc_ Remix" from the album "The Color of Nothing (Reprise)" by .ford. https://fordsounds.bandcamp.com https://sound...

A simple strategy to deal with those negative thoughts we all have from time to time. Attributions: "Drifting" by Dontcry, Nokiaa, Yasper. https://dontcrymusic.bandcamp.com/releases https://soundcloud.com/dontcrybby

Prayer and meditation as life-giving practices to develop the inner tranquility that leads to a more peaceful life. Attributions: "We're in the Dark Looking for a Light" from the album "Meridians Murmur and Sun Makes Sound" by Slow Dancing Society. https://slowdancingsociety.bandcamp.com/album/and-sun-makes-sound https://soundcloud.com/slowdancingsociety

There is stunning beauty and life-changing inspiration to be found in the ordinary and even less-than-beautiful things or circumstances if we just open our eyes and hearts to see them. _______________________________________________ Attributions: The Shoes of Van Gogh: A Spiritual and Artistic Journey to the Ordinary by Cliff Edwards "where the moon meets the ocean", "shadows on the mountain", "pu...

When we judge or criticize another person, it says more about us than it does about him or her. And it's not only unhelpful but actually hurtful, counterproductive, and contrary to anything that can lead to a more peaceful you and a more peaceful, cooperative world. What happens when you give in to the temptation to criticize or judge? Feelings of anger, resentment, distrust, ill will, and overall...

Here's a question worth asking yourself today: If you had an hour to live and could make one phone call--who would you call, what would you say, and why are you waiting? Attributions: "Beachglass" from the album "Astral Welder" by Kiln. https://kiln-audio.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/kiln

Force multipliers are tools that help you amplify your effort to produce more output. If love is the prime force in the universe, what are some tools we can use to amplify its power? Scriptures referenced: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mys...

It is inevitable that we will experience circumstances or even seasons where we find ourselves in what feels like a pressure cooker. Join in for a discussion on some ways to develop the capacity to better operate when the pressure is on. Scriptures referenced: Romans 15:1-2 "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neig...

Knowing what to do based on tried-and-true best practices is great as that sets the table for transformation. You may have heard the saying, "It's mind over matter; make up your mind to improve matters!", which leverages the truth that thinking patterns trigger behavior patterns. This underscores the need to tend to our mindset as everything starts there. But all the good intentions and well-craft...

Treating others with the sort of respect and dignity that lets them know just how important you consider them to be in your life is one of the most transformative principles we can practice. And this can be applied to relationships with just about anyone you encounter (not just those in your inner circle). Asking someone questions about themselves, their life experiences, and their perspectives on...

Don't we all want to do better living as a human among other humans? It's about being a better person. And isn't it the case that when asked what best represents the human ideal the first attributes that come to mind have to do with integrity and virtue; things such as love, honor, compassion, humility, generosity, kindness, strength of character, and patience? In the mission to improve it helps t...

God rarely reveals himself unambiguously. Consequently each person, in the loneliness of his or her own subjective experience, surrounded by a great deal more darkness than light, must choose what to believe regarding the nature of ultimate reality. Is the universe a closed system of time, space, energy, the elementary particles, regularities, etc. or is there a transcendent aspect to our existenc...

First, take quitting off the table then get on with it. Nobody owes you a championship. Nobody owes you a damn thing! Your blood, sweat, and tears are the currency with which you buy and then own such a monumental achievement. Train hard with singular focus staying present in every moment. Yes, you will suffer but patiently endure. The pain you feel is not unique to you. Everyone on the path suffe...

Wisdom can be defined as the art of living well. It's not simply knowing things, but applying what you know so that you thrive in all dimensions of living. Where does it start? The writer of the book of Proverbs, which is an ancient manuscript containing hundreds of wisdom sayings, puts it like this: "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." (Pr...

A few thoughts leveraging the saying, "Learn from the past, live in the present, and plan for the future." "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining...

Habakkuk was a Hebrew prophet who wrote the Biblical book bearing his name most likely between 612 and 605 BC. His ministry was at a time in the history of the southern Kingdom of Judah when there was a shift in the balance of international powers. The Assyrians, who dominated the Holy Land in the eighth and seventh centuries BC, were defeated with the overthrow of their capital Nineveh by the Bab...

2020 as a year of discontent in so many ways has underscored just how important it is to have someone to talk with when things are rough. Being seen, heard, and valued is a fundamental longing we all experience and one of the primary ways those needs are met is when someone shows how much they care by simply being there. It's most often not what that person says that makes the difference, but just...

What is the key to staying on guard against threats, both potential and existential, without becoming exhausted? Looking into this can be very helpful in the midst of our current set of circumstances as the tension is high in terms of the prevailing socio-political, socio-cultural climate on so many levels regardless of your particular affiliation or leanings.  Surely it isn’t wise to ignore what...

So much talk of algorithms these days, right? In its most basic form an algorithm is a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or operations designed to solve a problem or accomplish a goal. It will often take the shape of step-by-step procedures for getting to or producing a desired result, with a recipe as one of the more basic examples. It’s important to take stock of what algori...

Doesn’t it seem that there’s a natural tendency to point out other people’s flaws? And isn’t the world of social media-driven interaction often just a platform for toxicity, hyper criticism, and judgment? These platforms can seem to grease the skids when it comes to vitriol, hate, and leveling hurtful criticism toward those who don’t look the right way, sound the right way, think the right way—rig...

If an infinite, personal God who created the universe and humanity exists, doesn’t it make sense that he would make things about himself, such as his nature, character, and desires for his creation, known? Perhaps so, but the question remains as to whether or not he has (and/or does), what form that might take, and how that can be relevant to all people.  Links to resources:  YouVersion...

In developing habits that lead to lasting wellness (physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually) the key is to adopt an approach that makes your mind the boss, not your body and not your emotions or feelings. You can develop the capacity to do the challenging things that you know will take you to the next level even when you don’t feel like doing them. It starts with an informed decision that r...