Enjoying the Journey
Posts Tagged ‘communication’
3 Talks To Have While You Are “Social Distancing”
Many of us are spending a little more time at home these days! The worldwide pandemic and resulting restrictions have cut down on travel, meetings, school, and a host of other “normal” activities. Most are suffering some degree of withdrawal from the lack of sporting events and simultaneous overexposure to news media. Now we are to keep six feet away from one another! Like many things in life, every negative can be a positive. After terrible circumstances Joseph declared, “…ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20). Paul explained it this way: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to…
Read MoreWhy I Was Wrong About Reading Fiction
For many years I almost prided myself in not reading fiction. “I read real stories.” Some time ago I was given a work of Christian fiction to read. As I read the book I came to a stark realization… I was wrong about reading fiction. Now, like any other genre of books, all fiction is not created equal. Much of it is a waste of time. However, well-written fiction can be a powerful tool in teaching the truth. Even Christ often used parabolic language to convey eternal truth. Specifically, I believe there can be a great deal of benefit in historical fiction. One definite caution that I would give regarding “Christian fiction” is that we must be wary of authors…
Read MoreNEW POST: Use A Story!
Everybody loves a good story. Some preachers and teachers are known as story-tellers. This should never be our goal. Our mission is to be truth-tellers. However, learning to tell a story that reveals the truth – that is another matter entirely! THAT is teaching and preaching as Jesus did. Communicators in every field have come to understand the significance of stories. A few days ago I sat down on an American Airlines flight and picked up a copy of their monthly magazine. The editor’s comments were written under the title: “The Power of Story.” My wife came home recently with a book that someone had given her. It was a fictional work and not something that I typically would read,…
Read More3 Marks of True Friends
As a boy I heard an older man say, “If you have a handful of true friends in life you are a wealthy person.” At the time I thought it was a ridiculous statement. I had a lot of friends! I planned to make more… Now, at middle age, I am that older man! And I am beginning to understand. There are many casual friendships in life, and even more acquaintances. But, true friends? They are rare, precious, priceless. And they do not come by accident. It is easy to make friends. It is harder to keep them. Some people make friends easily, but true friendship requires work. Someone has to work at it! The same is true for maintaining…
Read MoreA Letter To Friends
Dear friends, Communication is so important in life and ministry! Technology has made this much easier for our generation. In the work God has called us to do, we have tried to share prayer requests and updates with our friends and are always grateful to hear from you. I am working hard to stay in touch with as many people as possible and would like to ask you to do a couple of things to help us… 1. Provide us your email address. This will not be shared with others, but it will allow me to pass along information that I hope will be a great blessing to you. There are two ways to do this: A couple of…
Read More3 Dangers of Technology Overload and What to Do About It
Look around you. Heads are bowed. People are quiet. No, they are not praying. They are all looking at the device in their hands! The technological advances of the last few years have placed the whole world in the palm of our hand. And, yet, is it possible that we are actually missing the world that is going on around us? Plugged in and yet disconnected at the same time! Our iPods, our tablets, our phones, our latest, greatest, “smart” device have become the focus of our attention. Take a test: go one hour without picking up your phone! Live a day without checking social media. We have become so enamored with it all that we have often become distracted…
Read MoreThe Power of a Personal Letter
Recently I was sitting in my study at home when my oldest daughter came in and proudly announced, “Dad, I am about to write my first letter.” She is thirteen. How is that possible? Now, she has written cards, short notes, and plenty of text messages – but a letter? Letter writing has been all but lost in our generation. While I am not opposed to messages of 140 characters or less, there is something deeply personal and powerful about a letter that cannot be conveyed in short bursts of communication. I know that I am in danger of sounding terribly old, but I still enjoy getting a letter – especially a handwritten letter – in the mail. Surveys of…
Read MoreLessons God Is Teaching Me about My Family – Part 2
Home is the greatest classroom on earth…and not just for the children. Every day there is more to learn, and our failures serve to remind us that we have not arrived. In addition to the thoughts I shared in the last post, the Lord is teaching me: 8. Never argue in front of the children. Now, I am sure you are thinking: “We never argue at all.” Then perhaps you are farther along than me! All married couples have “discussions” and some of those should be done in private. Don’t talk about problems in front of your children. Speak in faith and encourage them to face their own problems depending on the Lord. 9. Play good music around the house.…
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