Can practicing thankfulness actually improve your health? Some seem to think so. I read about a study in which participants were asked to list the things for which they were thankful. They were instructed to time the writing of their gratitude list and sustain this exercise for exactly five minutes. Sounds a little like weightlifting, …
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I remember an old Tarzan movie in which the famed ape man was peering at a droplet of water through a microscope. Tarzan was shocked to see the water was teeming with microorganisms invisible to the naked eye. What if we could peer into the spiritual world? Like Tarzan, I imagine we’d be shocked to …
Thankful. One simple word—thankful—emblazoned across the front of a woman’s t-shirt, caught my eye. There was a period at the end of what wasn’t even a sentence. Thankful. So, I guess you could read it this way: “Thankful, period.” I would like that to describe me. I’m thankful. Period. But I have to confess. Sometimes …
One day I was outside on my deck enjoying the quiet when suddenly, two fighter jets flew overhead at a very low altitude. Their roar was deafening. Everything around me shook violently. Now I surmised the two massive military jets were part of the game opener at a nearby football stadium, so I wasn’t overly …
It’s hard to be thankful for something you think you deserve. The world is full of people who believe their parents, their schools, or society owe them something. Such was not the case with my friend Becky. She had been born with a birth defect that left her just under 4 feet tall. But I …
By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6b NIV) How often do you approach your prayer time with a thankful heart? If I’m honest with myself, I often lead with my list of needs without taking time to reflect on the many prayers God has already answered. Paul reminds us …
Willie Myrick is one of my heroes. When he was just ten, Willie was kidnapped by a knife-wielding assailant. The curious youngster had reached down to pick up a ten-dollar bill the kidnapper left as “bait,” when suddenly, the man jumped from behind a tree and forced Willie into the car. Speeding across town, the …
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2 NIV) Sometimes we move so fast, it’s easy to blow past the ordinary blessings God sends each day. Who has time to drink in the magic of the blue sky? Or be thankful for the beauty all around us? And when was the last time …
I’ve learned that God often shows up strongest when I am weak or afraid. But if I will trust Him and step out in faith, I’m likely to discover a new dimension of God’s goodness. Or as a friend of mine once said, we experience God’s power when we step beyond our capacity and into …
We live in troubling times. No wonder many wrestle with anxiety. Let’s be honest. There’s no shortage of things to worry about. So how do we build courage to help us face the things we fear? One way I’ve learned to calm my anxious heart is by watching for signs of God at work all …