Monthly Archives: April 2012

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A Different Kind of Friday Night Lights

Today, I am writing as a contributor to the Christian Writers Blog Chain. The theme for April is “Joy.” If you are a Christian author or writer, be sure to check out Christianwriters.com to network with others.

Friday Night Lights is a term that has come to describe Friday night High School football. But this past Friday night I saw a different kind of Friday night lights.

Friday Night Lights: Football

Image by Ed Schipul

Our church’s band had been invited to play at a youth rally at a nearby church. They agreed and it was decided we would bring the students from our youth group to the rally.

Seven of our students showed up expecting to have a great time of fellowship and singing songs. Little did they know what was about to happen.

During the praise and worship set, the students were actively participating. Whether it was doing the hand motions to the songs or actively entering in, they were doing it.  Read more...

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How To Keep Going When You Don’t Feel Like It

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you feel you can’t go on? Or just don’t want to?

We all have those times when life beats us down.

You may have faced criticism on your blog. You may have had to close your business. Or you may have experienced a great loss.

Times like those are hard. No doubt about it.
 

Run down

Image via Guillaume Pasquet

But there is great news. It’s not the end of the line for you.

You can and must make the decision to continue.

How can you do this?

  • Examine the situation:
    Take a good look at the situation.
     
    What went wrong? How could this have been prevented? What do I need to change?

    Use this as a learning experience. Choose to fix the faults that you can.  Read more...

    This situation can be used to sharpen your skills and propel yourself forward.

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Book Review: You Are A Writer by Jeff Goins

Have you heard of Jeff Goins? If you haven’t, you’re going to!

Jeff has been writing at GoinsWriter.com since 2010 and has a passion for writing. He puts out great content 4 to 5 times a week. And he looks like Luke Skywalker.

You can’t go wrong with this guy! Even Michael Hyatt recommends him!

Jeff Goins has become one of my favorite bloggers.
—Michael Hyatt // Chairman, Thomas Nelson

You Are A Writer by Jeff Goins

Anyways, he recently penned a new book called You Are A Writer (So Start Acting Like One) (affiliate link). If you’re a writer, or think you want to be one, you’re going to enjoy it!

Jeff gives you practical advice on what you need to do to become a writer. And I think you’ll like what he says.

When you read You Are A Writer, you will discover:  Read more...

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The Problem With Masking The Pain

This past week I’ve been visiting my dad in hospital. He was admitted to the hospital on Friday for chest and back pains.

They thought he may be having a heart attack or another issue with the heart. The was good reason for this assumption. He is almost 85 years old.

Image by Ben Fredericson

Tests were run. The results were examined. And they decided it wasn’t his heart that was the issue.

Yet my dad’s pain remained. He still had symptoms that something was wrong.

Chest pains. Back pains. Stomach pains.

The doctors weren’t sure what it could be. Ultrasounds and more were ordered.

They guessed his gastrointestinal tract may have been inflamed. More tests were run and they came back negative.

By Monday my family was getting frustrated. The pain had let up some but it was still there and we had no answers.  Read more...

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The Power Of Gratitude

What would you say if I told you that you could have more happiness in your life? And all you had to do was make a simple, yet often difficult, change in your attitude?

I hope you’d jump at the chance to learn the secret. Well, today is your lucky day as I’m letting you in on this little secret.

Thank You

Image by Gisela Giardino

That secret is Learn To Be Grateful.

What does that mean? Dictionary.com defines it as: warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received.

To break it down even further, it means to be thankful.

Express your gratitude to those around you. When your neighbor has come over and snowblown your driveway, go over and tell them how much you appreciated it. If a fellow shopper holds the door for you as you’re entering the store, say “thank you.” Or if an author has touched your life, send them a note telling them that.  Read more...