Living Wide and Deep

The “Beatitudes” can read more like inspiring but irrelevant wall art than life-altering wisdom. Jesus’s statement that people who were “poor in spirit” were blessed can sound like a cute nursery rhyme instead of the key to a life of true empowerment. Discover why recognizing our poverty – our inability to provide for our own needs – unlocks the door to the power necessary for transformation. Lear...

Ever said anything your kids considered shocking? If so, you may be in good company! In the New Testament book of James, he writes shocking words addressing the issue Christians were fighting about. (Sadly, Christians fighting over theology isn't new!) Back then it was faith vs. works, or, put another way, "who vs. do." As we teach our kids the importance of a life centered on the two Great Comman...

It's been said most people don't quit their jobs; they quit their bosses. How we relate to supervisors may make the biggest difference in how we show up -- or don't -- for a job. It's the same with our faith. Is Christianity a tyrannical boss? One that's good in emergencies but has little value in the day-to-day? Or one that has the desire and wisdom necessary for your success? The first two are o...

How would you answer the question, "Who is your child?" beyond giving their name? Would it be a list of their interests or accomplishments? What if we defined who-ness by both personality and character traits? Yet even that is a difficult distinction! Yet difficult isn't impossible. It takes work to help transform our children's "who" capacities into abilities. Yet it's one of our greatest calling...

Do people ever learn? Why does history repeat itself? Does anyone finish well in leadership without blowing up their lives first? We close the study of Nehemiah with three life principles -- two are sobering; one is encouraging. Leadership matters. It's not enough for people to have the right credentials; they need the right heart. Systems and structures don't keep people on the right track. Peopl...

Today is the first episode in a new series helping parents teach kids how to live out the first Great Commandment in "ordinary" life. We look at the connection between capacities and confidence. Does being confident make someone capable? Is being insecure an indication of a lack of capacity in an area? We examine how to help kids identify their capacities by using three guidelines: God-revealed Tr...

Worship can seem like it’s purpose is to stroke God’s ego. Is that its purpose? Why does God place such a high priority on worship? Fascinatingly, scientific research shows benefits to worship – especially corporate singing. It builds trust, creates community, reduces isolation, and affirms a positive sense of belonging and self. Worship is for our benefit – not God’s! Worship re-centers us and he...

Cue the confetti! Bring on the balloons! Light the candles! It's the 100th episode of the "Life's Key 3" podcast!! Departing from the regular format, I give you a behind-the-scenes look at podcasting and use this to help you with communication and decision-making skills! It's a delight helping you become spiritually strong, emotionally healthy, and relationally smart, and I'm looking forward to th...

How do you decide who to invite into your life as a spouse or friend? Who should be an employee or volunteer at your organization, or church? Is being a Christian enough? How much weight, if any, should you place on circumstances when making key life decisions? Discover the three “C’s” of deciding who to select as a spouse, business partner, employee, or ministry partner: character, credibility, c...

What’s at stake in teaching kids repentance? Can focusing on requiring them to say, “I’m sorry” backfire? What’s the cost to people and others who don’t take full responsibility for their choices? We don’t just teach kids to apologize to “keep the peace” in our home. It’s about character that they’ll take into adulthood with them. Repentance is connected to self-awareness, empathy, and integrity....

In Part 2, learn three more steps in the nitty-gritty work of restoring relationships. Whether in our relationship with God or others, these five steps are required for mature and healthy restoration. Last week we looked at: Repentance requires words that align with actions Acknowledging and owning the causes that led to the breakdown Today we unpack: Requesting mercy and forgiveness without manip...

Is requiring kids to say, "I'm sorry" good or not? Does it teach repentance or something else? What's the real point of repentance, anyway? What's the big deal about getting all sides to a story? We unpack considerations for deciding why and how to teach your children about repentance in Part 1 of this oh-so-important subject! Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story....

Children's stories about relationships don't prepare us well for life. They tend to two extremes: 1) The Cinderella ending -- "happily ever after" or 2) The Humpty Dumpty ending -- "unrepairable." Yet how does a person go about restoring, or being open to restoration, when there's been a serious relational breakdown? The people in ancient Israel model this beautifully in the Old Testament story of...

Should you reward your child’s obedience? Always? Sometimes? Never? Why or why not? Is the statement, “Delayed obedience is disobedience” true? How do you walk the line between the following two truths? 1. Expecting obedience for obedience’s sake is a right expectation. 2. Obedience is worth rewarding. See what Scripture shows us as God, the perfect Father, models how to parent our children by the...

What difference, if any, do your choices make in God’s divine direction? Can you influence His “perfect” timing? Learn from ancient Jerusalem’s wall-rebuilders what positioned them for perfect timing to receive God’s blessing. Gain insights into obedience, the power of looking back, the need to look forward, and the difference between acting out of duty and delight. Empower yourself and your famil...

Given normal conditions, all children laugh and play. No one has to teach them these traits. Why? Perhaps joy is hard-wired into us because it's an empowering force. Education and activities shape our children's development. Just as significantly is the environment they grow up in. If it's one of joy, this will make them stronger and more resilient. If joy is more of an exception than the norm (or...

What comes to mind when you hear the word, "Holy?" If it's not "joy," it's understandable. But it should be! Joy and holiness are mighty forces necessary to secure one's freedom. See the parallels between the United States' celebration of the Declaration of Independence (July 4th) and the celebration of the Jews who had finished rebuilding Jerusalem's walls millennia ago under the leadership of Ne...

Let's be honest. "Family Bible study" can provoke more guilt than enthusiasm. It's something we know we "should" do and keep meaning to "get around to." Yet another week (year?) can go by and all we've accomplished is adding more items to our "parenting failures" list. Today I share five principles and six practical application ideas to help you move from "I should/want to/meant to" to "I am." No...

We hear a lot about the need to “slow down,” “take a break,” and make time for “self-care.” That’s all good. But there are times when taking a break is the last thing we should do. It may seem counterintuitive, but it may be when we're fatigued that we shouldn't take a break! Why? Because it may make all the difference for us -- and others -- for our future. Learn when following the example of the...

What if making kids strong is the best way to keep them safe -- for life? Sounds good! But how? Learn 10 ways in this two-part series. While the application varies by age, the principles apply from tots to teens. Today we review: • Struggle • Speaking • Perspective • Unfamiliar • Horizons Then we dive into: • Fences • Laughter • People • Modeling • Scripture Building strong kids isn’t an event. It...

Does the idea of discovering “God’s will” confuse, terrify, bore, or excite you? Is there even such a thing as divine direction? If so, how can we recognize it? Seven principles from the example of Nehemiah enable us to make good judgments about whether we’re hearing God’s divine direction, our own desires masquerading as God’s will, or something else. I unpack: • Hearing accurately is a learned s...

Is it easier to keep kids safe or teach them to be strong? What if strength is the best way to keep kids safe -- for life? Learn 10 ways to build strong kids in this two-part series. While the application varies by age, the principles apply from tots to teens. Today we'll dive into: Struggle Speaking Perspective Unfamiliar Horizons You'll discover how to apply each of these key words in today's ep...

Who is the first group of people you would employ after an organization-wide overhaul? Musicians probably isn't your answer. But that's exactly who Nehemiah prioritized after Jerusalem's walls were rebuilt and gates were installed. Singers and priests led worship and interceded on behalf of others. There's something about worship and intercession that helps keep us grounded in our God-given identi...

In Part 2, we continue investigating how children develop a healthy, Christ-centered self-esteem. In Part 1, we explored the importance of dignity; the difference between applause and affirmation; the necessity to be intentional about being attentional. Today we look at four more ways self-esteem develops (or doesn't!) Self-expression tethered to self-regulation Responding to criticism Grit or sti...

Courageous people practice introspection and ask four key questions. Not just once but as a lifetime habit! I unpack these four questions and other insights from our continued study in the Old Testament book, Nehemiah. We see: God's timing is perfect -- and is a model for us to practice considerate timing with others Why we need to be mindful who we -- and those around us -- are connected to How i...