In the 1990s some very exciting research was taking place and being presented to the American audience. It was the Strengths Finder research by Marcus Buckingham, Donald Clifton, and the Gallup organization. The core idea is that there are many different strengths. You cannot be good at all the strengths. You need to find out […]
If I told you I have two completely paid trips for you to enjoy a vacation on an archipelago, you may not be so excited. But if I told you I have two all-expenses-paid trips to Hawaii, now you might think I am a very good friend. The Archipelago Hawaii is an archipelago. And it […]
Do you struggle finding the right place and time to say all the things that your children need to hear? Is it difficult to find ways to engage in deeper conversations with your children about the stuff that really matters in life? Are you looking for one more way to encourage or direct their heart? Consider the power […]
While we are focusing on virtue and not on vice, it is still worthwhile to be alert to the vices. This past Sunday, the message was on GRIT. Here is the word cloud we created to show the virtue of GRIT and its opposite, SLOTH. Sloth. Ugh! What a word! The Book of Proverbs uses […]
Yesterday we covered the first five contributors to resilience. Here are the remaining factors that produce resilience. For each factor, give yourself a letter grade for how strongly it is true for you. A is really high and D or F is really low. 6|| Have role models. Role models are vital in helping us […]
On Sunday, the core virtue was GRIT. One of the main parts of GRIT is resilience. Many researchers see GRIT and resilience as synonymous or interchangeable word. I still prefer to see resilience as one BIG part of GRIT. I decided to dive into the studies on what makes for a resilient life. I did […]
We are diving into our Character Formation Series (Breaking Bad, Becoming Good) in a big way. I love the conversations that have been generated. The feedback from so many people about themes and issues God has moved to the front burner of their attention is great. We all know character and virtue are important. But […]
This past Sunday, we looked at the ancient symbol of love from church history, sometimes depicted in stained glass, and it’s the image of a pelican. And the reason that the pelican has been one of the ancient symbols of Christianity is because the pelican had been observed doing something very striking. If its little […]
In Jesus’ most famous sermon, he said: “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the […]
On Sunday, we looked at the virtue of LOVE. Love is in a special category of virtue called the theological virtues. Theological virtues are virtues associated in Christian theology and philosophy with salvation resulting from the grace of God. Traditionally, they have been named faith, hope, and charity, and can trace their importance in Christian […]