character Archives - Page 8 of 12 - Alive and Active Life

How To Live With Hope – Scripture Dissection

Posted onApril 1, 2024February 16, 2026

Alive and Active Life

How To Live With Hope - Scripture Dissection

00:00 / 18:12

You know the story from Lord of the Rings. Beautiful Arwen loves Aragorn. However, Aragorn left to protect Frodo on his quest. Incidentally, he’ll end up fighting a war. Unfortunately, He may never return. As a result, Arwen is overcome. And she lingers in middle earth rather than join her kin to travel to their forever home. Having remained, she has a conversation with her elf-father. Interestingly, Arwen clings to hope. And she wants to know how to live in hope.

Elrond: “He is not coming back. Why do you linger when there is no hope?”

: “There is still hope.”

Elrond: “If survives this war, You will still be parted.”

Sadly, Arwen’s dad doesn’t sound very hopeful, does he?

Strategies To Strengthen Weakness

Posted onFebruary 26, 2024February 16, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Strategies To Strengthen Weakness

00:00 / 16:50

Hypothetical situation. So, you meet someone. Perhaps you have conversations about strengths and weaknesses as you get to know this new person. It would be rare – but what would you think if that person said, “I don’t have any weaknesses?” Jaw drop! That’s a pretty big wow! A person with no weaknesses! Even Jesus had weakness as a human being – not weakness of character or morality but of learning, growing, and His unique skill sets. Nevertheless, as He grew up into manhood, He learned about areas He did well in – and areas He needed to build strategies to strengthen weakness. That does not mean Jesus sinned. It means He was/is like you and me in every way – fully human, while also being fully God. Let’s explore how to build strategies to strengthen weakness and follow the path Jesus took.

Waiting And Listening – Effective Relationship Words

Posted onFebruary 12, 2024February 16, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Waiting And Listening - Effective Relationship Words

00:00 / 17:21

When you think back into your childhood, what memories come to mind? Good ones? Not-so-good ones? Maybe you remember events that sculpted or changed your life. Perhaps something “rocked your world.” It might be a special activity is your first thought. (I’ll share one of my memories directly below.) But, I’m guessing you remember many ordinary days filled with ordinary things. Interestingly, this sets the stage for most of life. We spend long stretches of time waiting and listening for what comes next. Additionally, waiting and listening directly impact all your relationships.

Get Better At Being You – Scripture Dissection

Posted onJanuary 29, 2024February 16, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Get Better At Being You - Scripture Dissection

00:00 / 18:32

When you were a little kid, did you ever dress up or pretend? Maybe you “borrowed” your mom or dad’s clothes, feeling grown-up as their apparel hung bulkily on your small frame. Perhaps you confiscated a large bath towel to be your super hero cape. What about adapting odds-n-ends laying around to dress up like community professionals – firemen, policemen, doctors, scientists, store clerks, movie stars, prince(ess), etc.? But have you ever dressed up to get better at being you?

Let’s explore this fascinating idea – getting better at being you. It’s a healthy way to live.

God Purposefully Picks You

Posted onJanuary 22, 2024February 16, 2026

Alive and Active Life

God Purposefully Picks You

00:00 / 18:30

Do you remember that funny scene in Shrek? The donkey is behind a group of people in a crowd. Shrek is going to choose a companion. And as Shrek considers his options, all you see is the donkey jumping up – over and over in the background. You don’t see him – and then you do! Over and over. As he jumps high enough to be seen above the group, he’s yelling something – “Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!” Interestingly, all people feel this way at times. Subsequently, it’s noteworthy and meaningful to remember God purposefully picks you.

So what does “Pick me!” really look like?
Read More …

Comfort And Joy In Topsy-Turvy Times

Posted onJanuary 2, 2024March 2, 2026

Alive and Active Life

Comfort And Joy In Topsy-Turvy Times

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We just came through one of the most special seasons of the year. So many people love these weeks of holidays despite added stresses and responsibilities. Truly, it’s a treasured time each year: Fall Celebrations, Thanksgiving, Christmas – and now New Year’s Day has come. A favorite theme during Christmas from the carol – “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen” is the phrase – “comfort and joy.” If you’re like me and millions of others, you’d welcome some comfort and joy – in your life and around the world.

Joy of Anticipation – Advent #2

Posted onDecember 11, 2023December 11, 2023

Alive and Active Life

Joy of Anticipation - Advent #2

00:00 / 14:56

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.

Your Words Matter – Scripture Dissection

Posted onNovember 20, 2023May 2, 2024

Alive and Active Life

Your Words Matter - Scripture Dissection

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I’ve known a handful of people who know just what to say in any given moment. Their words are refreshing and fitting. Afterall, “The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.” (Prov. 25:11) But I’ve also known people who definitely do not have that skill. So, it’s reasonable to conclude – your words matter. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to express words of strong gratitude to family, friends, to God, and into your own soul. Today’s content explores how your words matter.

Choose Hope Even In Trials

Posted onNovember 13, 2023May 2, 2024

Alive and Active Life

Choose Hope Even In Trials

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“I’m just so tired of trials and challenges!” I’ve heard that exclamation, and I bet you have, too. Maybe you’ve said it. One thing is sure – we’ll all have trials and challenges in the future. We live in a broken world. But you can choose hope even in trials. This is today’s content.

How To Rise Up When You’re Down

Posted onNovember 6, 2023May 2, 2024

Alive and Active Life

How To Rise Up When You're Down

00:00 / 20:50

Recently, we published “To Fail Is Not To Be A Failure.” I encourage you to read that article – or take a listen. It featured the life of Abraham Lincoln. He failed many times. But he wouldn’t give up. And he refused to think of himself as a failure. But today we consider a unique twist on failure. If you’ve embraced – “I’m a failure” – you need to know how to rise up when you’re down.