suffering Archives - Page 9 of 12 - Alive and Active Life

Manage Christmas Sadness – Advent #3

Posted onDecember 18, 2023December 18, 2023

Alive and Active Life

Manage Christmas Sadness - Advent #3

00:00 / 15:46

You might be surprised to know Christmas sadness is a real thing. It hits when people go through difficulties that stretch into the season of Christmas. Or it happens with unexpected tragedy or bad news. But Christmas sadness can sometimes appear when everything is going fine. Unexpectedly, something rises up or invades without permission – and surprises you. In fact, you may even wonder why it’s there because there’s no identifiable reason.

Whatever the scenario, you are not alone if you experience Christmas sadness.

Subsequently, the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to learn how to manage Christmas sadness.

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

00:00 / 18:08

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

00:00 / 17:15

“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.

It Had To Be You! – Scripture Dissection

Posted onOctober 30, 2023May 2, 2024

Alive and Active Life

It Had To Be You! - Scripture Dissection

00:00 / 18:27

You’ve heard of the song “It Had To Be You,” haven’t you? It’s a popular song composed by Isham Jones, lyrics by Gus Kahn, published on May 9, 1924. So, it’s an “oldie-but-goodie.” It’s been covered by many people, including Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble with Barbra Streisand. Well, I’d like to cover “It Had To Be You” in today’s content.

A Thin Silence – Scripture Dissection

Posted onOctober 9, 2023May 2, 2024

Alive and Active Life

A Thin Silence - Scripture Dissection

00:00 / 17:25

Have you ever been surprised by a small thing that turned out to be a pretty big thing? I had that experience in my quiet time recently. Several “game-changer” ideas landed significantly as I read and pondered. Naturally, I’m eager to share these with you. Perhaps they will encourage you, too. Will you join me to explore this content about “a thin silence?”

A Regular Person Superhero

Posted onOctober 2, 2023May 2, 2024

Alive and Active Life

A Regular Person Superhero

00:00 / 16:53

Marvel Comics puts lots of money into movies about superheroes. And – based on success at the box office – lots of people connect with these superheroes at some level. Not everyone is “into” superheroes. But most people can pinpoint at least one superhero they admire. Who is that superhero for you? This list will give you a start –

Captain America
Iron Man
The Hulk
Spider-Man
Thor
Hawkeye
Black Panther
Doctor Strange
Black Widow
Ant-Man
Falcon
Superman
Batman (Well, Superman and Batman are really D.C. Comics)
Director Fury
Someone not in this list?
Maybe a person in your life!

The Truth About Loneliness

Posted onSeptember 25, 2023May 2, 2024

Alive and Active Life

The Truth About Loneliness

00:00 / 16:31

Do you remember the film, “Cast Away?” Tom Hanks plays a systems analysist named Chuck who is marooned on an island quite unexpectedly when his flight goes down over the Pacific Ocean. In this movie, you get a front-row seat on how a person might deal with loneliness. From hopelessness, to anger, to desperation, to finding a way. He’s alone on this island for four years! Meanwhile, he’s declared dead by family and friends back home. Chuck’s only friend is a volleyball that washed ashore from the plane wreckage. This ball becomes Chuck’s only friend: “Wilson.” Chuck becomes very familiar with the truth about loneliness.
Read More …

Famine – Scripture Dissection

Posted onSeptember 18, 2023September 17, 2023

Alive and Active Life

Famine - Scripture Dissection

00:00 / 17:24

Well, it’s time! The last two Scripture dissections, God’s Timing and God’s Humor, we left something completely unresolved. The famine! And really – that’s an important development. We built up to it, showing how people suffered intolerably for three years. Now, Elijah introduces he’s back! And then introduces it’s God’s timing to end the famine. So, here is the amazing story – with a couple of twists and some teaching points.

Feeling Down: 6 Helpful Tips

Posted onSeptember 5, 2023

Alive and Active Life

Feeling Down: 6 Helpful Tips

00:00 / 17:17

Feeling down is a common, yet challenging condition to manage. Whether over-tired, mistreated, discouraged, or even struggling with depression – being on the “down side” is real.