Be Still Archives - Page 4 of 10 - Alive and Active Life

Hope And Hard Work – Scripture Dissection

Posted onJuly 14, 2025January 27, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Hope And Hard Work - Scripture Dissection

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Do you remember Aragorn’s famous quote in The Lord Of The Rings? “There is always hope!” Then there’s another quote by the great soccer player, Pele. “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice – and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” Hope and hard work are guideposts that keep you on a good path.

The first quote provides a picture of avoiding despair – when there is still hope. The second is a realistic picture of what hard work looks like.

Now – let’s tear into hope and hard work.

Discouragement Or Depression

Posted onJuly 7, 2025January 27, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Discouragement Or Depression

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Last article, we explored how to respond When Life Gets Hard. Here’s the thing. Sometimes, life stays hard for a long period of time. Despite your best efforts, practicing great action steps, and staying close to the Lord – you can still end up in a place of discouragement or depression. So, how do you cope? What can you do to manage these conditions?

When Life Gets Hard

Posted onJune 30, 2025January 27, 2026

Alive and Active Life

When Life Gets Hard

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I remember a time when I made a plunge I didn’t intend to. Nor did I want to. Matter of fact, it surprised me when I realized where I ended up. Interestingly, I found myself in the very place a guy in Scripture landed. When life gets hard, it can knock the wind out of you. Also, you feel exhausted. Things pile up over your history. Then, you can plunge – and slip from the comfortable place you normally enjoy.

When life gets hard, it’s critical to pro-actively do certain things to re-enter a comfortable, healthy place. Incidentally, that’s what God wants for you. So, let’s look at some helpful action points.

Strategies To Be More Like Jesus

Posted onMay 19, 2025January 27, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Strategies To Be More Like Jesus

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In our last article/podcast, A Plan To Be More Like Jesus, we laid out a reasonable plan using twenty-five helpful action points to keep you matched up with Scripture. You’ve likely formed many plans over the years with strategies to carry them out. Subsequently, it makes sense to develop a plan and long-term strategies to be more like Jesus.

Love, Like, And Fond-Of: Easter Thoughts

Posted onApril 14, 2025January 27, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Love, Like, And Fond-Of: Easter Thoughts

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This past Christmas season, my family watched a wonderful concert of M.W. Smith, Amy Grant, and Michael Tait. It was so good! The vocals were beautiful, the band professional and creative, the lights and special features very well-done. Best of all, the message was inspiring. Worshipfully, the entire concert focused on Jesus Christ. One of the talking points impressed me. So, as I’ve been pondering it, I decided to write an article about “love, like, and fond-of.”

This is the perfect material for Easter week.

When God Weeps – Scripture Dissection

Posted onFebruary 17, 2025January 27, 2026

Alive and Active Life

When God Weeps - Scripture Dissection

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Have you ever wondered if God cries? Well, He does. In fact, God weeps! I suppose most people don’t think about it. Nevertheless, it likely happens more often than you or I can imagine. When God weeps, He connects with you and me. Actually, that’s quite comforting. Plus, it gives permission to you to weep when your life overflows with disappointment.

What does God weep about?

Can You Look At God?

Posted onFebruary 3, 2025January 27, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Can You Look At God?

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I’m sure you’ve heard warnings about looking straight at the sun during an eclipse. Well, what about looking straight at God? Recently, we published “Turn Your Face Toward It.” I recommend this article/podcast which explores a phrase right out of Scripture – “turn your face toward it.” The intent? Well, to turn your face toward God’s face. Especially interesting because Scripture says no one can look at Him and live! So, the question is – can you look at God?

Emmanuel: God With You – Advent Week 4

Posted onDecember 22, 2024March 2, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Emmanuel: God With You - Advent Week 4

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It’s Christmas week! How can you prepare your heart to receive Emmanuel in fresh new ways during busy Christmas week? In this content, we look at simple action steps to focus on Emmanuel: God With You. Preparing your heart is just as important as all the other preparations. Perhaps even more important.

Joy of Anticipation – Advent Week 2

Posted onDecember 8, 2024March 2, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Joy of Anticipation - Advent Week 2

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You know the little kid in the back seat on a long trip? Every 15 minutes, they ask (with a tired sigh) – “Are we there yet?!” That’s the same little cherub, along with a host of other little kids and just as many adults, who asks, “Is it Christmas yet?” The first exclamation – “Are we there yet?” – is more like – “Gosh! How much longer?!” An impatience and a feeling of being confined. The second exclamation – “Is it Christmas yet?” – is more like – “I’m so excited, I can hardly wait.” An expression of the joy of anticipation.

Prepare Your Heart For Christmas – Advent Week 1

Posted onDecember 2, 2024March 2, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Prepare Your Heart For Christmas - Advent Week 1

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Most people really like Christmas. There are a few grinches who despise the annual celebration. But many more cherish this annual holiday. They lean into invisible qualities of hope and joy connected to the evergreen tree, lights and decorations, beautiful music, giving and receiving, special goodies, and moments of reflection. Unfortunately, many of these same “Christmas-loving” people feel overwhelmed at the hustle and bustle. So, how do you prepare your heart for this beloved holiday?