What’s So Funny?

Humor is a very personal thing. What makes you laugh? Things my husband will laugh at, I can at times watch without even raising a chuckle or a smile. Some people like slap stick humor. Others prefer the humor more subtle. Some like stand up comedians. I have to say I’m not a big fan usually and the reason is too often the humor of comedians is directed against other people. I think how I’d feel if I was the person being made fun of. In my view, humor should never be at the expense of others. I’m sure most … Continue reading →

Why Pray For Your Community?

In a recent blog I suggested praying for the community where we live. Why should we pray for our communities? Because it is the place where God has put us and we are to be a witness or ambassador there just as Paul was in Corinth, 2 Corinthians 5:20. In Acts 22:15 , though these words were spoken by Ananias to Paul, I believe they ought also apply to us. We need to witness to what we have seen, heard, experienced and know of Jesus. Have you ever thought that you may be in the community where you are because … Continue reading →

How To Deal With Guilt – Part 1

No doubt all of us have done things we’re ashamed of and wish we could erase or do over – things that make us feel guilty. That guilt can have far reaching effects on us, on our emotional and physical health and also on our relationships with others. So what can we do to deal with that guilt? And yes I know about guilt. I carried guilt around for a long time before I allowed God to help me deal with it. So what can we do to deal with guilt? The first step is to admit that what we … Continue reading →

How to Help Those Grieving

Each of us will encounter loss at some point in our lives. So will other family members and friends, so how can we help those who are grieving. 1. Remember what it felt like to be in that position but don’t expect the other person to react exactly the same way you did in grief. 2. Don’t avoid the grieving person because you don’t know what to say or you’re frightened of getting upset and upsetting them more. When I was younger I admit to doing that at a funeral. I kept my distance from the woman grieving her daughter’s … Continue reading →

Living The Christian Life In The Public Eye.

Living the Christian life in today’s world is never easy. It is even harder for celebrities or sportsmen and sportswomen in the public eye. I’m sure this is true for Christian athletes training and preparing for the Olympic Games. One such person is Allyson Felix. Allyson is the daughter of an ordained minister. Being the child of a minister often puts extra pressures of their offspring as friends of ours can testify. People sometimes seem to judge those whose parents are in ministry more harshly. The pressure to decide it’s all too hard living the Christian life and competing must … Continue reading →

Ritual and Rules or Relationship?

Jesus taught that Christianity is about a relationship, not the keeping of rules and rituals. Jesus warned his disciples they would be cast out of the synagogues, for following Him rather than abiding by the rules and laws of the Jewish religion, John 16: 1-4. Jesus’ prayer, for his early disciples and for us, is that we may be one with him and with the Father, John 17:20-23. That’s relationship! If we look back earlier in John’s gospel we see another example of Jesus in relationship with his people. Jesus taught He was ‘the good shepherd.’ He is our shepherd … Continue reading →

Winning in the Game of Life

The internet astounds me. I love the way it connects us with people from all over the world and all walks of life, who might not otherwise have met. Recently Dr Jeffrey Brown, a clinical and sport psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, contacted me. He’d been reading some of my blogs here at families.com on Christian parenting. As a result, he thought I might be interested in reading his book, ‘The Competitive Edge – how to win every time you compete,’ and had his publisher send me a copy. If you think the idea of winning every … Continue reading →

How Honest, Are You, Really?

The bible tells us, ‘do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,’ Colossians 3:9. But can you say you don’t lie. How honest are you really? Take this quiz and find out. If your friend is wearing an outfit and she/he asks you for you opinion and you think it looks awful, do you a. Tell them it doesn’t suit them and tell them exactly why. b. Say the color looks good on them. c. Suggest something else that does look good on them. d. Change the subject If you don’t … Continue reading →

Laziness – Part 3- In Our Relationship With God.

Laziness in our relationship with God sometimes seems easy to fall into. We can tend to take God for granted. Have a look at this article about the way one woman is feeling about her relationship with the Lord. But before you jump in to condemn her, can you honestly say your have never felt this way? I know I can’t. At one stage I remember thinking that being a Christian was all too hard. What stopped me from opting out? I couldn’t contemplate the alternative. Recently someone mentioned to me about the doubts that have crept in as life … Continue reading →