A well-balanced, healthy diet is one that consists of a wide variety of vegetables, fruit, and proteins. I’ve heard it said that your plate should look like a rainbow of colors. If you’re getting too much vitamin C you can develop kidney stones. Too much vitamin A can cause muscle aches and dizziness. And too much red meat can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. So, it’s crucial to a healthy body that we provide it with variety. Much like the body of Christ we aren...
Jun 27, 2024•1 min•Ep. 575
Who was the last person you had a serious disagreement with? Was it a work colleague, teammate, family member or friend? How did you respond to the argument? Chances are, there are some things you may have said or done that you aren’t proud of. But in seasons of conflict like this, the best advice I have for you is to pray. Pray for the person who upset you or even wronged you. It’s actually pretty hard to stay upset with someone you’re praying for. Pray for their family, their own peace, and fi...
Jun 24, 2024•1 min•Ep. 574
We might think of the CEO of a large company as being completely disconnected from their employees. Sitting in a fancy office in a high-rise. But I’ve heard stories like that of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart. From time to time he would show up to a warehouse in overalls and a hat with the sole intention of driving a delivery truck. CEO’s who aren’t above mopping the floor, or a boss who shows up in the morning with donuts for the team. These are leaders who show their appreciation to their ...
Jun 20, 2024•1 min•Ep. 573
I am notorious for not reading the instructions when it comes to something that requires assembly. I can’t tell you how many headaches I’ve caused myself trying to assemble a new piece of furniture without guidance. It usually ends up taking twice as long as halfway through the build I realize I missed a crucial step. Had I just read the manual I would’ve been finished a long time ago! In the Bible, Paul’s letter to Titus is an instruction manual for pastoral leadership and Christian living. Pau...
Jun 17, 2024•1 min•Ep. 572
A few years ago my daughter told me she wanted to make her own raised garden bed for veggies. So, we spent a weekend and built one for her. We planted kale, peppers, and some herbs. But I made sure she knew keeping the garden healthy was her task. She needed to water it daily. Pull out weeds and leaves and make sure that critters weren’t stealing our food. She was excited about it for the first two weeks until she decided it was too much work and then it became my job. LOL. Gardens are a lot lik...
Jun 13, 2024•1 min•Ep. 571
Why am I here? Why are any of us here? Since the beginning of humankind, philosophers have debated this question and offered their own answers. One of the best answers I’ve heard is, “The purpose of life is a life of purpose”. What does a life of purpose look like? To contribute something positive in this world? Even something that makes a small difference can give meaning to life. So, maybe you feel like your life on autopilot. Maybe it’s time for something different. Maybe it’s time to find op...
Jun 10, 2024•1 min•Ep. 570
In the aftermath of multiple disasters in the US, Stacy Martin, the editor of Redbook Magazine said, “Although the national mood is somber right now, I take it in stride as a reminder of the true nature of life: It’s a heady, scary, wonderful, sad, happy mix. Take each moment of each day and live it not as if it’s your last- but as if it’s your first, your best, and your only day.” That is so beautiful. And great advice. In the Bible, Proverbs 27, verse 1 it says “Don’t boast about tomorrow, for...
Jun 06, 2024•1 min•Ep. 569
It’s been said that sensitivity to the circumstances and feelings of others is the cornerstone of all human relationships. Many companies today even hold seminars on Sensitivity Training. According to philosopher, Simone Weil, “The love of our neighbor in all its fullness simply means being able to say to them, 'What are you going through?” In the Bible, the Apostle Paul said of Timothy who is at the church in Philippi, “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. ...
Jun 03, 2024•1 min•Ep. 568
My friend’s 6-month old puppy is coming a long way with her training. We went on a trail run together with his dog and she did great. Even off-leash she stayed right with us- until… a squirrel ran across our path. It didn’t matter that she’s had so much training and really wanted to please her owner. When the squirrel ran past, she took off and chased it up a tree. They are her weakness! What about you? What things distract you from your prayer life or time in scripture? For some it’s work; a bu...
May 30, 2024•1 min•Ep. 567
At the beginning of the twentieth century, infectious diseases were the primary causes of premature death in America. But in the twenty-first century, preventable lifestyle diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and many cancers- influenced by unhealthy habits and poor choices are shortening our lives. The National Institutes of Health estimates that between 44,000 and 98,000 die in the US each year from preventable diseases. In many cases, we’re killing ourselves. Today, let’s be r...
May 27, 2024•1 min•Ep. 566
I was running late to work the other morning. And- It always feels like the more I’m in a rush, the more things go wrong. I almost forgot my phone, I spilled my coffee on the way out the door, and realized halfway down my street that I left my work keys on the table. Not off to a great start. Once I settled into the horrific Atlanta traffic I was stuck behind a car going way too slow in the fast lane who left their turn signal on for the last mile. How could they be so clueless? I just need this...
May 23, 2024•1 min•Ep. 565
Research shows that the strongest sources of happiness are the people in our lives. Social support is one of the most important predictors of whether people are happy. Humans long to connect with other people. We can all remember how much COVID taught us- that we need each other! Christian author Philip Yancey wrote a book called “Church: Why Bother?” in which he discusses the community in relation to faith. He said, “Christianity is not purely intellectually, internal faith. It can only be live...
May 20, 2024•1 min•Ep. 564
Many sports fans might accuse a player of not having their heart in the game when their intensity doesn’t match the intensity of the game. So much so that I’ve heard people complain that the Superbowl is rigged when they see a player not live up to expectations. It’s not always easy but God calls us to be all in for Him. In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus calls us to be fully surrendered in our faith. Maybe lately you’ve been only dipping a toe in with God. One foot in the door and the other holding o...
May 16, 2024•1 min•Ep. 563
There’s a difference between renovation and restoration. If you’re renovating, it usually means you’re upgrading, changing the style- making something new and different. A renovation might be starting with an old house, that’s not necessarily historic, and repairing and upgrading it into 2024. But to restore a home- means you are bringing it back to its original condition. 1st Peter chapter 5 says that the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore,...
May 13, 2024•1 min•Ep. 562
There are some things in this world our minds have a hard time comprehending. Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon? Everywhere you look your brain is almost convinced it’s just a picture. The enormous scale is just too much to grasp. Or what about the distance between the Earth and the Moon? Or the size of an atom? Like these incredible examples of scale, we can only imagine a fraction of God’s love. If you’re going through a tough time and struggling to see how God is working in your life- re...
May 09, 2024•1 min•Ep. 561
Geneen Roth has written best-selling books on emotional eating. In an article called “The Treat Trap,” she reminds us that in troubled times sweets seem to offer immediate relief; but unfortunately, their “fix” doesn’t last. The sweetness of chocolate lasts for a mere 30 seconds and after we’ve indulged, the original problem is still there. Then we have an additional problem: the guilt of an unhealthy indulgence on top of the original stressor. Guilty pleasures, even when sweet, ultimately leave...
May 06, 2024•1 min•Ep. 560
Learning to play the guitar comes with some pain in the beginning. It takes time to build up calluses on your fingers. Calluses are thick layers of skin that build up over time. And in the case of a guitarist are necessary to properly hold chords without pain. Like a guitarist’s fingertips our hearts can become calloused. Through tough times and trials, some people become bitter. They have a harder time seeing the good in their lives and develop a hardened heart towards God. If this sounds like ...
May 02, 2024•1 min•Ep. 559
Most tasting rooms in California involve wine, but at Laura Parker’s Taste of Place events in the Bay Area, you’ll find yourself with a glass of…. dirt. The idea is to smell soil from local farms, then eat the produce grown in the same soil so you can see how the aromas in the dirt affect the flavor of the food. During this sampling many have said that you can actually taste the pasture that the goats ate in the cheese made from their milk. How cool? In the Bible, 2nd Corinthians 2:15 says that ...
Apr 29, 2024•1 min•Ep. 558
In the book of Ruth in the Bible, Ruth was a literal outsider. But Naomi felt like an outsider. Although she was a part of God’s family by birth, she felt like she had been abandoned by Him. Do you ever feel like the odd one in a group? Even within your faith? Maybe you’ve sat in a Bible study before and thought “I don’t belong here”. When we compare our lives to others, including within the church, we may feel like an outsider. Maybe it’s your current circumstances. And while everyone else is f...
Apr 25, 2024•1 min•Ep. 557
Research shows that we get a “lift” from giving. In fact, MRI studies show that providing for other people activates the brain’s ventral striatum, the region that lights up in response to pleasurable experiences such as seeing an attractive person or winning a prize. Scientists are finding that helping others may be as primal or basic a human pleasure as food. In the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul remembers the words of our Savior. He said; “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of...
Apr 22, 2024•1 min•Ep. 556
What quotes do you often hear that people claim are scripture yet you know otherwise? One that I can’t stand is, “God helps those who help themselves.” Many are surprised to learn that nowhere in the Bible does that appear. In fact, God doesn’t want you to be a solely independent spirit. God often sends others into our lives to help- and… us to help them. In the Bible, 2nd Corinthians, chapter 11, Paul had to depend on others to lower him in a basket to escape outside the city wall. And I imagin...
Apr 18, 2024•1 min•Ep. 555
Our sun gives off more energy in one second than all mankind has produced since creation began. With a diameter of approximately 860,000 miles, the sun could hold one million planets the size of the Earth. The rate at which its energy is emitted is equivalent to the energy coming from a furnace at a temperature of about 10,340 degrees Fahrenheit. This is one magnificent creation that truly, points to an all-powerful Creator God! And friends, His incomparably great power is at work in you! So kno...
Apr 15, 2024•1 min•Ep. 554
In the Bible, we find these words written by the Apostle Paul, “…Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” Too often the Christian life is seen as a passive existence, but these words show that it’s quite the opposite. Our faith should lead us to not just believe but “do”. How is your community better because you’re in it? The old saying that “you may be...
Apr 11, 2024•1 min•Ep. 553
When Bose introduced their Acoustic Wave Music System in 1984, Sound & Vision Magazine said that it delivered “possibly the best reproduced sound many people have ever heard.” Since then, we now have companies like Sonos, Denon, and of course Apple, who are constantly striving for the best possible audio. Sound has a tremendous effect on people. This is why in the Bible, in 1st Corinthians 14:7, the Apostle Paul says that we who are Christians are like musical instruments. If we don’t make t...
Apr 08, 2024•1 min•Ep. 552
I was at my friend’s house this weekend for dinner. They now have a very cute, 6-month-old puppy named Lucy and they were showing off her tricks. My friend would say sit- and she sat. Lay, and she laid. My friend turned to me and said, “we’ve been working on this one”. He turned back to Lucy and said “roll over!”. But Lucy just gave him a blank stare. He shrugged and said, “Well. I guess she hasn’t learned that one yet”. My friend wasn’t upset with her for not rolling over. He just accepted that...
Apr 04, 2024•1 min•Ep. 551
Solar Star is the largest solar farm in the US and one of the largest in the world. This plant has 1.7 million solar panels spread across Los Angeles and Kern Counties in California. Each of these panels can take the energy from a glowing ball 92 million miles away whose surface temperature reaches 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit and turn it into usable energy for over 250,000 homes. In the Bible, 2nd Corinthians 3:18 tells us that our faces are to reflect God’s glory. It says, “And we all, who with u...
Apr 01, 2024•1 min•Ep. 550
James Allen, author of the book “As A Man Thinketh”, says: “All that you accomplish or fail to accomplish with your life is the direct result of your thoughts. You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” Likewise, in the Bible, King Solomon said, in Proverbs 4:23, “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.” He also said, in Proverbs 23:7, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Do you constantly think negatively ...
Mar 28, 2024•1 min•Ep. 549
How often do you find yourself in the comparison trap? Do you ever see someone with a nicer car, bigger house, fancier clothes and think, “must be nice”. But the truth is, we’ve never walked a mile in their shoes- we don’t know the circumstances that brought them to where they are and there will always be someone else looking to you with the same thought- “must be nice to be you too”. How do we release ourselves from these trappings? The Apostle Paul says in Philippians chapter 4, “I have learne...
Mar 25, 2024•1 min•Ep. 548
If you’re a homeowner, when was the last time you replaced your air conditioning filter? AC filters remove harsh chemicals and allergens- making the air safer to breathe. Water filters remove nitrates, bacteria, sodium and heavy metals. We use all kinds of filters in our homes and cars to make them safer for our families. Like these filters, self-examination and repentance help us remove habits and things in our lives that would otherwise cause us harm. Regular, honest and open conversations wit...
Mar 21, 2024•1 min•Ep. 547
I went hiking with a group of friends recently on a mountain I hadn’t been to before. The trail wasn’t steep at all- but the hike was long. After about an hour or so we turned around a bend and the trees opened up to show us an incredible view. We were at the top! It was such a mild slope that I hadn’t realized how high we had climbed. That feels like life sometimes huh? Maybe you’re in a difficult season of life. You feel like you’re getting nowhere no matter how long you’ve been on this journe...
Mar 18, 2024•1 min•Ep. 546
