Faith in Five: Recent Episodes
Mark VanDellen
Faith in Five is a weekly devotional designed to discuss practical spiritual concepts in five minutes or less.
The Christmas season is supposed to be all about "joy." But how do we find real, lasting, authentic joy-- regardless of what's happening in our lives? In the final installment of our "Songs of the Season" series, we're going to learn from His Word and the iconic Christmas song "Joy to the World."
A special thank you to Carter Moss for guest hosting this series!
We all have a lot of things we want for Christmas, but what are the things that God actually wants to give to us? What does He want us to experience in this Christmas season? In the third installment of our "Songs of the Season" series, we're going to learn from His word and the Christmas carol "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."
A special thank you to Carter Moss for guest hosting this series!
What kind of "cares" are you carrying this holiday season? What kind of anxieties are coming up as Christmas gets closer? God has something that He wants to do to help take care of our cares. In the second installment of our "Songs of the Season" series, we're going to learn from His word and from the holiday classic "Carol of the Bells."
A special thank you to Carter Moss for guest hosting this series!
Do you ever feel weary around the holiday season (physically, mentally, and emotionally)? What are God's antidotes to our weariness? To kick off our Christmas 2022 series, "Songs of the Season," we're going to learn from His Word and from the famous song "O Holy Night."
A special thank you to Carter Moss for guest hosting this series!
Stop for a second and consider all the many things you have in your home. 1st most of us have a place to stay and a roof over our heads. We have a pantry with food and a bathroom with running water and toilets that flush. These things are amazing. We might even have windows that look outside with views of our lawn, our driveway, nature, water, or even city views. Still more amazing stuff. Think about all the great things we have in our lives that make them easier, comfortable, and more robust.
A special thank you to Eric Schrotenboer for guest hosting this series. If you want to learn more about what this message means for your faith, click the here: https://www.faithinfive.com/donate
To view or purchase Eric's latest children's books, click the link here: https://www.freshwindstudios.com/
Download the free discussion guide for this video here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aniihcOaKa4RlE_N0_yBssQb1rkKv4JO/view
If you have kids or have ever babysat or even observed parents parenting, you are aware that kids have a unique ability to hear but not listen. Parents regularly ask, “Will you clean up your room?” or extend the invitation for bath time or dinnertime to no response or action. In the moment, parents usually raise their voices to ensure that the receiver of these messages can hear them clearly, but to no avail. Only when we employ the magic of a countdown or include a consequence do the words move from hearing to action.
A special thank you to our special guest Eric Schrotenboer! Visit his website to learn about his journey and his awesome children's books too! https://www.freshwindstudios.com/ourbooks
If you want to learn more about what this means for your faith, click the link: https://www.faithinfive.com/ for more information!
Download the free discussion guide for this video here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10PCS8NTHHNbLE9uGv0RVxkwVRvuNF5iq/view
Research on the power of has increased significantly in the last 5 years. New books are being published on the power of the words in our heads, positive verse negative self-talk, speaking things in the future into existence, and carefully choosing our words with others because of their impact. One thing has been true about all the research on the topic…Words are Powerful.
A special thank you to our special guest Eric Schrotenboer! Visit his website to learn about his journey and his awesome children's books too! https://www.ericschrotenboer.com/copy-of-piano-albums
If you want to learn more about what this means for your faith, click the link: https://www.faithinfive.com/ for more information!
Download the free discussion guide for this video here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V7HaNxemakjJ4rqIHMzp6A766z_QEswQ/view
We are uniquely created for connection. As such, we are sensitive to similarities and differences…we are drawn toward similarities and away from differences. The tricky thing is that we will find whichever of these we are looking for. Essentially, if we focus on the differences, it will be easy to push people away or at least keep them at a distance. If we focus on the similarities, we are drawn to more and more people and it is easier to love them.
Click here to view or download the free discussion guide for this video!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-rxJ-6KbGjY78M6bysJKZEmb1GFL4hk7/view
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There was a social media trend where people shared “My name is X but they call me…” and then proceeded to list all the many nicknames they have. Many of us have childhood nicknames, names given to us by friends or coworkers, and names of affection from those closest to us. We also all have names or labels that we have been called or that we still carry around and call ourselves. When it comes to what names or labels we believe about ourselves, we can choose the names of affection and value over the ones that minimize our value.
Click here to view or download the free discussion guide for this video!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IKmBC9zsOC820s6h_k7cHrjaCKt75Myq/view
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You’ve probably heard the internet trend “I was today years old…” which is kind of a fun viral movement of people sharing things that they never knew but were life changing or novel. People post about household hacks that make their life easier, song lyrics they never knew the real meaning behind, or tech tips that simplify complicated things. Once we learn something new, we can never go back.
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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sWaubAWZC4FJaeSgMdIGcxrxYFPmz3MW/view
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While most of us would not call ourselves “control freaks” or at least not readily admit it, we all have some desire for control in our lives. In the chaos of our daily lives, we often try to find some semblance of control in the places within our immediate influence. However, sometimes our need for control grows beyond that which we can actually control and can manifest in ways that are unhealthy. Addiction, hyper focus, and lack of balance are all symptoms of our need for control.
Click here to view or download the free discussion guide for this video!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13vEkSAeLItkY5np4wgpPCS-UDOrNCXj8/view
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One of the favorite parts of travel and taking trips to new places is the sense of anticipation and adventure that awaits (in addition to time off work). We excitedly plan and pack everything, we climb into a car or board a plane with with an open and expectant mind, and we are typically prepared to have our comfort zones stretched, even if it’s in the tiniest bit. Things change, however, if you have done the same trip or gone to the same place over and over. Some of the magic of the trip can get lost year after year.
Click here to view or download the free discussion guide for this video!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MHqjw4ydvUM4dqtS1ozsmdbnR2cfPDvr/view
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Kids are curious creatures. While they like to repetitively ask questions like “why?”, they see things through a simplified lens. Kids experience great moments of awe when learning new things. They are regularly on the lookout of things that reinforce what they are learning and being taught, and they see things that we adults often miss. The Christmas season has always presented this challenging dichotomy between adults who are busy and bogged down and kids who are excited and in awe.
Click here to view or download the free discussion guide for this video!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18j3txS8UFB8nZieYdugIOUVQ9sZz0qGm/view
If you want to learn more about what this means for your faith, click the link: https://www.faithinfive.com/donate for more information!
It's that time of year again...time to be thankful. It's the beginning of the season where we gather more often with friends and family to eat, drink, and be merry. Thanksgiving is the beginning of the time where being thankful seems like the most obvious thing in the world, and yet it's so easy to miss the opportunity to truly reflect and actually be thankful. Studies show that reflecting, looking back, informs our present and our future. Nostalgic memories are more than just memories, they are anchor points in our journey.
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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YuUS3muKLquUstdPlNC4ZXuvZQFrpjRl/view
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Having it all figured out is something that we seem to understand isn’t possible, and yet we tend to behave as if not having everything figured out is somehow wrong. We expect to be better at something without having first been worse at it. We expect to get to the top of a mountain without the challenge of climbing it. And we expect to have the experience of overcoming something without first facing challenges.
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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1amp3gI5M7UqPkS1qEBrd8KYUH3sW7yQN/view
If you want to learn more about what this means for your faith, click the link here: https://faithinfive.com/donate for more information!
We probably all have a friend that is afraid of heights and some of us might be that friend. Often people have a hard time communicating why it is they are afraid of what they are afraid of, but they feel it.
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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HpKaXYA4J_vAAjsWvEo9u_oLT8j7xSu5/view
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When we see someone trip and fall, when we see a trash bag someone else is carrying break open, when we see someone on the side of the road…we typically think “I am glad that’s not me.” We make note of these bad day type things and immediately get back to our regular scheduled plans. When it’s happening to someone else it’s easy to feel bad for a split second, but we have enough of our own stuff going on that we keep our distance. The problem is that other behave the same way when we are the one who trips and falls, spills trash, or breaks down on the side of the road.
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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RyayAlDqZLr-YfzR28sGwXSsfqbLdoZq/view
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When we overbook our calendars and run from thing to thing to thing, we don’t experience much margin. Most of us struggle with slowing down and doing nothing. Being busy is often synonymous with feeling successful or productive, but it has also become coping mechanism for not having to deal with hard stuff. We work harder and more often to try to outrun the nothingness.
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There are seasons in our lives where things just don’t seem to be going right. From little things like bad wifi or tech issues to big things like family tragedies, sickness, or kid issues and everything in between; it seems like things stack up on us. Many of us have experienced the old adage, “When it rains it pours” and “Misery loves company.” It’s often hard to know what to do in these seasons…Do we keep it all in and pretend it doesn’t exist? Do we tell anybody and everybody how bad it is? The answer is probably somewhere in between.
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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1amp3gI5M7UqPkS1qEBrd8KYUH3sW7yQN/view
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Hanging out with friends (good friends) is a great opportunity to let our guard down. When we let go of the desire or pretense that comes with trying to look cool and have it all figured out, we can go deeper in friendships, we can grow in our understanding of others, and we can experience a freedom that we cannot get almost anywhere else.
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We all have some “secret rules” that we believe that prevent us from doing more and enjoying life. Some of us believe that if it’s hard, it’s wrong; but we also subsequently believe that if it’s easy, then it’s not worth it. Some of us believe that if our efforts can’t make us money, then it’s not worth our time. However, believing these things create no win situations that lead us to lives void of meaning.
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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HmwrNbnDjlh3AatUpTpY0u-sIZQMPWco/view
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We are always “ON.” We are connected 100% of the time, and we wear busy, tired, and multi-tasking productivity as a badge of honor. We are not in control of our chaos. A quick test of how connected you are is “Do you put your phone to bed or does your phone put you to bed?” If news, email, social media, etc. are the last things we see every night and the first things we see each day, we are always “ON.”
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If we are honest, we aren’t great at having fun as adults. When we work, we’re serious. When we are at home, we are serious (and tired). When we are at church, we are serious. Because we are calendars are so full of commitments and working hard, we often don’t have time to relax, play games, and have fun.
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Life is full of exciting opportunities and possibilities, but it is also full of hard and difficult things. Unfortunately, we often focus on the hard and difficult things with cautions and limitations that short us on what we could be experiencing or accomplishing. There is a big difference between “Yes, but..” and “Yes, and…” “Yes, but…” focuses on all the things that could go wrong or the limitations, where as “Yes, and…” opens up our minds to more.
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There are a lot of things in this world that we don’t understand. We might be able to at some level explain physiologically how the body converts food into energy, but do we really understand how the body is programmed to do so? We can know how the brain works or explain how the eye translates what it sees into a signal in the brain, but do we really understand it. For some things we just accept at a certain point, and yet with others, our need for control causes us to struggle.
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Sometimes we get super busy, overwhelmed, and over committed. Unfortunately, this leads to a lack of value and meaning in our lives. Our FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) actually leads to missing out. We just go and go and go trying to out run whatever it is we are scared of missing out on. The big problem is we can only do so many things and many times the most important things get left out or missed in our quest to do all of the things.
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When kids learn to walk we celebrate and cheer them on when they fall down to encourage them to keep trying. But at some point in our development, we start behaving as if falling down in the worst thing that could happen to us. We believe this so deeply that we start celebrating not falling which leads to not trying new or difficult things, and in turn we limit our development of the key life skill of resiliency.
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There is a symbiotic relationship between us and others. Typically we believe in things like “you get what you give” and “you reap what you sow.” However, in this equation there is 1 key missing step prior to stepping into a give and take with this world and people in this world…we have to have something to give. Think of this natural exchange as if everyone is carrying around a bucket that we get to fill with things like love, meaning, value, and joy. We want to fill other people’s buckets and we want other people to fill ours, but what comes first?
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If you think about the human body, it is made up of a whole bunch of different parts with a variety of purposes to function at its best. No part is necessarily more important than another, and yet each has certain strengths and weaknesses. In the body, we are typically comfortable with a certain part’s limitations, but when it comes to our lives we prefer not to think about, talk about, or admit our limitations.
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Pet peeves are a fascinating thing. Most of the time we see them as things that other people do that are wrong. However, most of the time pet peeves reveal something inside of us that might be wrong…our selfish and self-focused nature. Pet peeves drive us crazy inside our closest relationships, especially marriages. Pet peeves like leaving the cap off things around the house, leaving your shoes or clothes out, and not making the bed or making the bed. Whatever your pet peeve is, there is an equal peeve on the other side of the relationship.
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As humans we struggle with authenticity, vulnerability, and courage, but one of the things that draws this out of us and allows us to step into these places are the people in our lives.
If you want to learn more about how this impacts your faith, or if you’re making a donation to our ministry, please click the link below: https://www.faithinfive.com/donate
If you're interested in making a donation to our ministry, please click the link below: https://www.faithinfive.com/donate
Listening on the go? Subscribe to our podcast today!: https://linktr.ee/FaithinFivePodcast
If you would like to download our latest Discussion Guide for this video, click the link here: https://www.faithinfive.com/discussion-guides
Have you ever driven to work and not remember how you got there? Or on a weekend started to head to work because it’s what you do most days when you leave the house? Of course you have…it’s what our brains are designed to do. We establish habits and routines on regular and mostly mundane things so that we can reserve thinking for more important things. The problems come, however, when we turn our brains off on things that do matter…typically this leads to a rut.
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When you were in school were you ever called to the principal’s office or asked by a teacher to stay after class? As an adult have you ever been called into your supervisor’s office? We all know “that” feeling and over the years have come to realize that this is usually not a good thing…the only time you get called in is when you have done something wrong.
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We all have a friend or two who always makes us feel good when are around them. We can call them to catch up and check in on them, but they always seem to be able to turn the tables and make us feel like a Rockstar. We are drawn to people like this because they make us feel good. They fill our need for affirmation, feeling valued, and experiencing support.
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When we start something there is always a lot of excitement and plans for greatness. Unfortunately, the excitement is typically short lived, and we start to fade. Whether it’s training to run a marathon, a house project, a New Year’s resolution, or even marriage, we start out excited but experience a dip in that excitement in almost everything we set out to do. The dip in excitement, in and of itself isn’t the problem, it’s our inability to reconcile our expectations of greatness and reality.
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Some consider love an act of service. Others see love as a simple action, a choice, or a promise. Anybody who has truly loved can admit that love as hard. Unfortunately, “love” is often misunderstood! I love my coffee! I love my jeans! I love my dog! I love my wife! How can we equate all of these things we supposedly “love”? For many people love is something we do for others and often we give with some expectation that we will also receive something in return.
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Breathing is something that we very often take for granted. We don’t think about breathing in or breathing out. We just do it. From the day we were born and breathed in our first breath until the day we breath out our last breath, this extremely important function has become automatic. And yet, breathing is a required part of life. Breathing in sends oxygen through the blood to the brain to help sustain life. If we hold our breath for too long we will pass out or even possibly die.
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When we consider light and the different types of light available to us, we typically view light in two different formats. One type of light is a flashlight which provides a very direct focused beam. Flashlights help us find things we might be searching for. But the second type of light is an overhead beam which broadens our ability to see and illuminates the entire room. We see better and more clearly with more light.
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MMMMM...Food. So much of our lives are centered around food. We gather to eat, we schedule around it, we make lists of favorite places in favorite cities, and spend hours making food. Food is awesome, except when it’s not. Sometimes food can control us. To be honest, its not just food. We tend to get hyper focused and even sometimes somewhat addicted to some of life’s pleasures. It’s true that too much of a good thing can be bad for us...Food, coffee, social media, hobbies, working out, shopping, and even work can become our sole focus in life.
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When scheduling our physical training workouts we often skip the rest day and the cool down. We account for the 30 minutes of cardio, but not the 5 min of cool down. When we are trying to get in shape we would like to think that we can hit it hard 7 days per week and accelerate our progress, but our bodies don’t work that way. The unique thing is our brains, our bodies, our souls are all wired similarly...we need to intentionally engage them to keep them in shape, but we also need to rest or cool down so we can recover and be at our best when we engage.
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Can you name the best book you’ve ever read? The national bestseller list is always changing and evolving and now it has a long list of categories that give more and more books chances to make the list. It’s clear that books are valuable and that people are reading them regularly. Interestingly enough, a recent study in the US revealed that the number one most significant catalyst for spiritual growth is reading the Bible. Reading the Bible outranked all other practices including praying, going to church, mission trips, and serving your community.
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The beginning of a new year is always full of newfound ambition. While it’s somewhat cliche to plan to hit the gym more THIS year, we can’t help ourselves but to set some physical training goals year after year. The problem is that getting in physical shape takes more than a few visits to the gym. It takes a longer-term commitment and habit shifts that are greater than just trying harder or doing more. Training takes consistent effort in a well-rounded set of habits.
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There are essentially two types of Super Bowl parties. The first type is when everybody brings a dish to pass, and the second is when the whole event is already catered and planned. The way that we show up to each of these are very different. If everyone brings their best dish then everyone will get to sample the best possible foods, but if we just show up to a catered event, we have a selfish attitude that is focused on critiquing everything. The same is true with our faith and how we show gratitude in our work lives.
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Many of us think about our health journey with a level of enthusiasm that ebbs and flows. We typically make sweeping changes like diets and exercise programs that last 30, 60, or 90 days only to return to past habits at the end of the commitment. What if we could change this? Rather than measuring your health by a mirror and scale, how might you benefit from beginning to view your health connected to something bigger?
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One of the best ways to cultivate an attitude of gratitude is through the people around us. Not only when things are going well, but also when we are going through our hardest times When we think about best friends, we typically think of the good times...the fun we’ve had, the celebrations, the things we have in common, etc. The good times are extremely important, but a key to cultivating gratitude is also seeing how friends have shown up in the bad times, how you may have disagreed and worked through it, or the times when we could be vulnerable, authentic, and accountable. The caution here is not to measure your friendships by the highs, but to be intentional about fostering friendships that are strong enough to endure the lows. Gratitude is fickle when it flows from the highs alone.
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Sustaining an attitude of gratitude is not as simple as figuring out one part of your life. Being mindful of the many coexisting variables in our nuanced lives allows us to create an ongoing spirit of gratefulness. Life is kind of like pieces of a pie, and one of the most significant pieces of the pie is family. The hard part about family is that we often expect perfection, but we know their flaws too well and end up disappointed. We all experience different levels of gratitude with our family based on our upbringing, our current lot in life, and our expectations. Even if there isn’t a bucket full of things to be grateful for in your family (upbringing or current), finding a sliver of value will help fuel your attitude for gratitude.
If we made a list of our favorite things, coffee would be on most people’s list. Many of us live for it, we look forward to it, and some of us are even self-proclaimed experts on the subject. One of the nice things about coffee (besides caffeine) is the social aspect of getting together to grab a cup of coffee. Coffee is good on it’s own, but it’s even better when it includes good people and good conversation.
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There is a recent phenomenon of people taking cold showers at the start of every morning. This trend has been growing in popularity because cold showers can shock you “awake.” By awake, we mean aware of all of our senses, blessings, comforts, etc. It’s very easy to “go through the motions,” but many people are looking for ways to shock their systems out of the mundane to live a more intentional life.
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Letterboards and chalkboards around the house have been a new trend of the past few years. They give us a chance to express ourselves with phrases, quotes, bible verses, and messages to the world. The unique thing about them is that you have to erase one to create another. It’s almost as if we move on from what we thought was so important the day or week before. As we enter a new year, we seem to want to do the same with each year. We wipe away our past and start fresh. While starting fresh has it’s value, we miss something if we don’t build on previous accomplishments, efforts, and even pain and failure.
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One of the hardest things to do in life is sell ourselves. Resumés and interviews are often basic and do not do a great job of highlighting our value. Some of us know our value but struggle to communicate it, and others of us struggle to see any of our own value. While at the same time, we could easily list 5 things of value to multiple people around us, and they could do the same for us. When we look around, it seems there is always someone else with more skills, talent, and results. The endless mountain of tasks to accomplish in personal and/or professional life can leave us feeling like we are not good enough, and we start to believe the lie that we can’t measure up. If you want to hear more about this, click the links below to explore more!
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One of the hardest things to do in life is sell ourselves. Resumés and interviews are often basic and do not do a great job of highlighting our value. Some of us know our value but struggle to communicate it, while others of us struggle to see any of our own value. While at the same time, we could easily list 5 things of value to multiple people around us, and they could do the same for us. When we look around, it seems there is always someone else with more skills, talent, and results. The endless mountain of tasks to accomplish in personal and/or professional life can leave us feeling like we are not good enough, and we start to believe the lie that we can’t measure up.
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We’ve all had those days where our vehicles don’t work as they should. It typically ruins our day because we don’t think much about how it works...it just works. As we care for our cars, we often take one of two approaches. We either choose a “set it and forget it” attitude where we just expect it to always function properly, or we think of the components individually without really realizing how all of the parts work together as a whole.
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We all have one or two stories from high school or growing up, where we got caught misbehaving and got in trouble. Most of us can see that despite these moments where our parents were mad at us, we had enough experience with them that we knew there was a feeling of love behind the anger and disappointment.
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If we think about summer, we can imagine soaking up the sun, enjoying the warmth, pool parties, and spending time at the beach. To many, summer is an exciting time where we can kick back and relax, almost like we have earned it after a long school year or a long winter. The days are longer and the sun shines brighter in the summer so we throw caution to the wind and pack it full of as many great things as we can.
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Picture the 1st warm day of spring after winter has broken. Most of us can’t wait to get outside. If we go for a drive, the windows are down and music is playing. It’s almost as if we can’t hold our excitement in. We want to let it out. We want to share it with the world.
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Comic book series with hero themes are some of the biggest blockbusters of our time. On some level, we all want a hero-God who saves us from all of our problems. What happens when God doesn’t do what we wanted Him to do or what we think He should do? What happens when God disappoints? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Winter is a season marked largely by struggle; one that is marked by long, cold, and somewhat dreary times between fall and spring. In many ways, winter can be a metaphor for the lulls and hardships that we face in our own lives. Illness, loneliness, relational hardship, addiction, and loss can all feel like this dark and dreary season of life. As a season of life, sometimes winter stays longer than we would like.
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Seasons are a natural and great cadence to life. With each passing season, we are afforded the ability to reflect on the past and plan for our future. Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring all bring with them unique characteristics that can help us function best in the natural rhythms, while also providing some lessons for life when we we find ourselves in metaphorical seasons of change. If you're interested in making a donation to our ministry, please click the link below: https://www.faithinfive.com/donate Listening on the go? Subscribe to our podcast today!: https://linktr.ee/FaithinFivePodcast If you would like to download our latest Discussion Guide for this video, click the link here: https://www.faithinfive.com/discussion-guides
If you could give 2020 a theme song what would it be? Depending on what you’re currently experiencing you may pick a song like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day; or if you lean towards hope you may choose a song like “Carry on My Wayward Son” by Kansas. The truth is everyone faces difficulty and every difficulty has its season. Labeling the difficulty with something like a song lyric to express how you feel can be helpful in managing it.
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Studies show that kids who play without boundaries act out and don’t thrive compared to kids who are given rules and boundaries for play. Parents are typically well aware of this and make adjustments quickly to help their kids thrive, but somewhere along the lines, we believe we outgrow boundaries as soon as nobody can set them for us. The reality is that we aren’t that much different from kids. Habits and routines are boundaries that help us function better; while time limits, excluding toxic people, and work-life balance are boundaries crucial to survival.
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Have you ever thought about what you think about? A lot of us go throughout our day without a conscious reflection of the thoughts that occupy much of our time and energy. The reality is that the thoughts we focus on end up dictating our actions and emotions, and we have the power to decide what thoughts will take root. If we want to live a more intentional and optimistic life, being conscious of and intentional about our thoughts can make a huge difference.
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2020 has been a crazy year, but there are some key takeaways that can help us as we head into the future. We have all made significant adjustments, and some of us have even made beneficial adjustments specific to our mental health, learning how to adjust to work and school at home, and so much more. Through these struggles, the changes may seem overwhelming at times, but shift our perspective and taking it one day at a time allows us to extend grace to those around us and restart new each morning.
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In Michigan, locals love to visit and enjoy the beauty of the many lighthouses around the various Great Lakes. Lighthouses themselves are cool and the places they mark are often beautiful. Yet rarely do we realize that lighthouses are often placed at the spots of previous wrecks. Without the wrecks, there would be no lighthouses.
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A “coaching” approach to management is a new philosophy that focuses more on asking questions than it does having all the answers. Typically, we have focused on knowing all and doing all rather than learning more. Curiosity, questions, and learning seem to be more important to seeking meaningful life experiences than knowing everything. In fact, it’s better to ask ALL the questions than it is to know ALL the things.
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We each have those few movies that we watch over and over again, and after a while, we have all the major lines, songs, or moments memorized to the point that we can lose sight of what the movie is all about… i.e; the Disney movie Frozen. It’s usually not until we look at the movie from a fresh perspective that things seem to click and we understand something new about the film.
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Almost all of us can admit that we like control in one way or another. However, there's a paradox of control which we are mostly unaware of in our daily lives. Too much control for a guaranteed outcome leaves us unsatisfied in the accomplishment. Too little control leaves us feeling helpless and gives us cause to give up. Yet, there are many valuable life decisions and experiences that we miss out on because we don’t have control over the outcome or we fear the outcome will be undesirable. Watch our latest video to learn more!
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If we try too many things at once, we end up failing at all of them. We all have limitations: time, skills, energy, finances, etc. If we can admit to these limitations we can be better equipped to draw more accurate conclusions about them rather than believing the lies that we just aren’t good enough.
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Now that social media and other digital connections are so prevalent, many of us find ourselves more connected with less meaning. So much so that when we see real people with whom we have a digital relationship, we struggle to know how to act or what to talk about. Watch our latest video to learn more!
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We often look for the most expedient way to receive or achieve meaningful things. The issue is unlike Amazon and GrubHub, real meaning cannot be bought and delivered to our doorstep. Meaning comes from experience and often overcoming.
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A huge part of our faith is sharing it with others, and our success is based on how we approach that endeavor. People don't want to just talk about it, they want to be "in on it." https://www.faithinfive.com/
We tend to think of our lives as if we are the only character that matters. However, a story solely focused on “Me, Myself, and I” is a rather lonely and unfulfilling narrative. The truth is that the supporting characters in our story not only make our lives more interesting; they shape us and bring the meaning we so deeply desire!
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It’s so easy to jump into something new and be dedicated for a month or two, but come month three, we move on to something else. When one thing doesn’t add up to more meaning, we quickly swap it out for another. We tend to engage our faith in the same way. We want to do more stuff so we focus on the “what” without focusing on the “why.”
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The metamorphosis of a caterpillar changing into a butterfly is a beautiful transformation: something limited becomes something limitless. However, a little known fact is that the caterpillar actually has a choice whether or not to undergo this change.This analogy is similar to the way that we aim aspire in life. - If you're interested in making a donation to our ministry, please click the link below: https://www.faithinfive.com/donate - Listening on the go? Subscribe to our podcast today!: https://linktr.ee/FaithinFivePodcast - If you would like to download our latest Discussion Guide for this video, click the link here: https://www.faithinfive.com/discussion-guides
When we pair our life and our faith together, we tend to treat it as if it’s a game of “The Price is Right.” I want one thing, but God might want another. But what if God is always with us no matter what we decide. Check out our latest video to learn more about this! faith https://www.faithinfive.com/
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We often look for the most expedient way to receive or achieve meaningful things. The issue is unlike Amazon and GrubHub, real meaning cannot be bought and delivered to our doorstep. Meaning comes from experience and often overcoming.
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If you, a friend, or a family member were diagnosed with a serious disease, how we respond would speak volumes to how much we care. This is a scenario that rings painfully true for most, but like illness, hardships present an opportunity to reflect and be present with the relationships we deeply care about. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We often describe hot summer days as “oppressive.” The air is thick, it feels heavy, and it may even prevent us from living our normal lives. Since oppression is a difficult topic to discuss, this analogy may help us explore the topic further. https://www.faithinfive.com/ to learn more.
Right now, the social and political landscape is volatile and we are finding ourselves more and more emotionally charged about topics. While it may seem counter-intuitive, we get hooked on the chaos which leads to more chaos internally and externally. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Have you ever heard the question, “If your house was burning down, what Items would you want to run in and save?” This is a common ice breaker, but the interesting thing is that when we ask this question, it usually ends up showing us what’s most important and what isn’t. https://www.faithinfive.com/
There are a lot of variations to the hypothetical question of, “if you were on a deserted island who would you take.” This is a fun question, and a popular response by Christians is usually that they would bring Jesus. This isn't a wrong answer, but God also regularly shows up in our lives through close relationships to grow, shape, and support us. Watch our latest video to learn more! https://www.faithinfive.com/
In tough times we typically want a simple answer. Unfortunately, with the ease of answers from the internet, we tend to trust in the so-called internet experts more than our faith. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Humans are uniquely wired to solve and accomplish, but also to protect ourselves from danger. A growth mindset identifies a gap between where we are and where we could be. Watch our latest video to learn more about this! https://www.faithinfive.com/
Most of our faith is mainly thoughts, but if we never take action on our thoughts, we may start to move further away from hope. The answer to doing something about this is actually doing something about this. https://www.faithinfive.com/
It’s ok to have concerning thoughts, but we cannot let them overtake our lives. Worry is going to show up in our lives no matter what happens to us. We are wired for it, but ruminating on negative is a detriment to our well being. Being at our best does not arise from the complete elimination of bad and worrying thoughts, but rather, having the ability to choose which thoughts dominate our time. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Psychologists have studied hope for a long time. One thing that seems to be true is that suffering is actually a reliable precursor for experiencing great hope. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Let's make an effort to pause this week and think about someone else. This week we take a look at how Jesus's life embodies empathy. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Have you ever been so passionate about something that you were willing to give your life? Thankfully most of us never have to make this decision, but let’s learn how we can model Jesus's passion to inspire our own! https://www.faithinfive.com/
If leaders repeatedly break the trust of their followers, employees, and volunteers, we start to naturally distrust leaders, people of authority, and word of the next leaders that follow. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Many of us want to be leaders because it is accompanied with the impression of a title of prominence and achievement. However, leadership is not built on title, and desiring to be a leader does not necessarily mean you will have followers. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Most people have heard about "fight or flight," however we often aren't aware about how it impacts our faith and our life. If you want to hear more about what Jesus says in regards to leadership in this video! https://www.faithinfive.com/
We all have only so much time in a day. If you really want to maximize your effort, the best way is to share the load. Watch below to see what Jesus said about leading by empowering his followers. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We are used to seeing confidence as something that comes with arrogance, but confidence, especially when combined with humility, is the necessary trait to overcome obstacles, stand in the face of adversity, and encourage others to go where no one has been before. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We can’t learn when we are always talking, because if we are talking then we are repeating things that we already know. If you want to learn what Jesus says about leadership watch this video today! https://www.faithinfive.com/
One of the key characteristics of leadership is vision. If we don’t know where we're going, then we aren't really working towards a goal. Watch this latest video to learn what the Bible says about leading with a vision! https://www.faithinfive.com/
Leadership has become a big part of our culture, unfortunately, the definition of leadership and the examples that we see don't always look the same. Learn what the bible says about Jesus and his leadership. https://www.faithinfive.com/
As children, it's common to play and have fun seemingly every moment of the day, but as we grow older we lose touch with many of the things that brought us joy. How might revisiting some of theses activities bring happiness to you in the year ahead? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Money is a strange concept at its core, but its a helpful tool that can improve the lives of those around us. How might improving your relationship with money impact the lives of others? https://www.faithinfive.com/
What do we really need to be healthy? What would a broader picture of fitness look like to you? Learn what the Bible says about fitness in this video! https://www.faithinfive.com/
What if Friendsgiving could occur more regularly? Explore how to make this happen and discover our latest video about friends and faith! https://www.faithinfive.com/
Do you set goals as a family, or do you set goals for yourself to be a better part of your family? Explore what the Bible says about faith, family, and how to grow both together! https://www.faithinfive.com/
Do more, weigh less, make more money, etc…These are all the typical goals we set each year as we head into a new year. What would it look like if we started with faith goals? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Most of us want Christmas to last just a little bit longer. Hear more about how you can take Christmas with you into the new year in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
What is it about family that just makes the holidays? Even the difficult and the weird ones. There’s just something about it. Hear more about how faith goes with family in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
One of the best parts about Christmas is how it engages all of the senses, especially the food. If you want to hear more about how food and Jesus go together, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
If you ask any kid what their favorite part of Christmas is, it’s always the presents. But sometimes that leaves us wondering… what do the presents have to do with this season at all? What do gifts have to do with Jesus? Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
One of the best things about Christmas is setting up the tree. It’s usually the first indication that the season is here. But what does that have to do with Jesus? If you want to hear more about this, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Have you ever watched a movie for the hundredth time, and in that time, you saw something you’ve never seen before? What if the same could be true for our faith? Maybe it’s time we reexamined some things to see if there’s something we’re missing. Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We all have our favorite guilty pleasure songs. And we also have our favorite private places to sing those songs at the top of our lungs. If you’re wondering how this has anything to do with our faith, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Walking, yes, walking. Left, right, left right. If you mix those up, it doesn’t go well. Walking is a great metaphor for how our faith is meant to be lived out. If you want to hear more about this, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Have you ever had a problem you just can’t solve? You know, like when you take your car to the mechanic and they can’t fix it? Or you call customer service and they can’t quite troubleshoot it? Well if you have, you’re going to love our next video. Check it out to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Have you ever wondered what certain circumstances actually bring about transformation? Or thought about the deepest ache of your own life, and where God could meet you? Or maybe if God even wants to meet you there? Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Do you think that the people in your life point you more to the miracle, or to what’s missing? To hear about that and more, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
If someone were to ask you, is there a moment that you felt fully loved, fully seen, and fully celebrated, could you think of a time? Could that time be something you rooted your life into? Could it last forever? Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Do you know what the God of the universe says about you? Do you know what he says about the person that you pass walking down the street? How would knowing that, believing that, and living into that change your life? If you want to know more, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Words carry a lot of meaning. The word “them” evokes emotion. If you want to know how your faith asks you to engage with the “thems” of the world, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Some people would kill for a day all to themselves. And other people are surrounded by people and still feel all alone. If you want to hear about how your faith asks you to engage this difficult space, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
It’s been said about work that, “it would be awesome, if it weren’t for all the people.” We could probably say that about our lives too; that people can be difficult. The big question is what does our faith ask of us with difficult people? Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
One of the most powerful words we can use is the word “with.” We all want to be included, we all want to be in on something, and we were designed to be connected. Hear more about this and how it relates to your faith in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
In sports, band, theatre… whatever it is that we are performing and there are people watching, there are always people in the bleachers. What would it look like if we thought about that in our spiritual lives? Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The best coaches usually coach the bench. Uniquely, there are a lot of things we can learn from that practice that apply to our faith. Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The best sports coaches are masters at figuring out what it takes to win, and breaking that down into little things that individuals can do in order to get better. The Bible isn’t that much different. If you want to hear what the Bible has to say about growing and getting better, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
If we want to get better at a sport, or we want to grow in our career, we might need to do something outside of the regular. What if that’s also true for our faith? If you want to hear more about engaging your faith beyond the “normal,” check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Pinterest isn’t just another social app. Pinterest has become something of a movement. Even if you’re not on Pinterest, the concepts of Pinterest spill into every part of our lives. The truth is, our faith is actually very similar. Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
A 3-year-old’s favorite’s words are “why” and “but.” They try to be master negotiators. And if we’re honest, we often behave the same way when it comes to our faith. Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
If you’re a parent, or know anything about parenting, you know that if somebody does something to a kid, they essentially do it to the parent as well. In our faith, it actually isn’t that much different. Hear more about how we engage with God’s kids in our latest video.
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Most of us don’t like being told what to do. We want to figure it out on our own. And yet for some reason, in our faith, we act as if we want God to tell us exactly what to do. Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
How do we measure life? How do we know if we’ve actually succeeded? The Bible suggests that we’ve succeeded when our life impacts the lives of others. Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We like to think that joy comes from achieving perfection. But for most of us, perfection is a long way off. Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sometimes we have this picture of what we’re supposed to be. But what if we’re defined more by what we actually do, than what we’re supposed to be. Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The different perspectives on people show up the most when we are driving. People who are going too slow are idiots, people who are going too fast are maniacs. We can probably all admit that we’ve been both. Hear more about what this looks like in our faith in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Grace is one of those weird things that we love when it applies to us, but we don’t really like when it applies to someone else. Especially if they don’t deserve it, right? Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We have a tendency to want to fix things, and so we also have a tendency to want God to fix things. But what if in those difficult times, in times of need, it’s enough to just be with him? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sometimes things need to break for them to get better. We don’t like to admit it because we don’t like broken things. But what if God does amazing things with broken people? https://www.faithinfive.com/
It seems easy to put our trust in something that’s going well. But when things aren’t going quite as planned, that’s when faith shows up. Faith shows up when the lights go off. Hear more in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We like karma when it’s good and going to return to us, and we also like it when it’s bad and going to return to someone else. But the reality is that grace and karma do not work together. Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
A lot of times when we tell people not to be angry, or we tell them they need anger management, we suggest that they shouldn’t be angry. But what if our faith told us a different story? It’s ok to be angry, but it’s what we do with that anger that matters. https://www.faithinfive.com/
If we’re being honest, most of us like control. We live our lives looking for certainty and control. But if we live out our faith this way, it limits what God can do in our lives. Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We’ve all said or heard the common phrase, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” But what if we’ve been lying to people? Hear more about what God has to say about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The idea that “good Christian kids” grow up to have the best marriages is a myth. It’s built on these ideas that if we just do all the right things, it will all work out. God has other things to say about that. https://www.faithinfive.com/
When it comes to money and stuff, living humbly can be a great idea. Sometimes, however, it kind of tricks us into not paying attention and not planning very well. God has a few things to say about that. Hear more in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Most of us believe that happy couples don’t fight. And if we believe that, then we think that all of our relationships should be perfect. Hear more about what God has to say about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The best relationships are not something that we just stumble into. They take work, just like our faith. Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
What if the belief, that with God on your side nothing bad can happen, is actually a myth that’s destroying your relationship? If you want to hear more about this, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
What if I told you that the belief that lightning never strikes the same place twice is a myth? What if I also told you there were a ton of myths that we believe about our relationships that actually hurt them? Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Change is a constant. And the reality is, if we don’t like it, that’s too bad. It’s happening to us anyway. If you want to see how change impacts our faith, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Social media outlets have increased our ability to crowdsource, and to do so quickly. What if we could apply the idea and benefits of crowdsourcing to our faith? Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Most of the time, it’s hard to admit that failure is a gift. And sometimes, we believe that if we say it out loud, something bad will happen. But what if failure is the key to a strong faith? Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Have you ever wondered why some people are just so happy? Often times they say, “Just choose to be happy.” Can it really be that simple? https://www.faithinfive.com/
What if the secret to finding out what we are created to do is not looking internally, it’s actually looking outside, around us, and into the lives of others? Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
One thing I’ve learned about life is that if you want to do big things, you have to start small. Hear more about how prototyping applies to your faith in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Options create opportunity, opportunity creates energy, and energy is life-giving. If you want to hear more about how you can create this cycle in your life, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
What if I told you that there was a cipher, or a decoder, to uncover the secret path to your life? Could it really be that easy? Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Life is a journey, not a destination. Cliché… but if we apply that concept to our life with design thinking, it could change everything. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Do you ever wish that you were better? Do you want to have it all figured out? We all battle those desires, but what if they weren’t actually the goal of life? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Christmas always comes and goes way too fast. But what if we could make it last even longer? Hear more about how this could work in your life in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sometimes things are not as they seem. But we never know, because we only judge them as we see them. What if our faith calls us to look a little deeper and a little further instead? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sometimes life becomes so routine that we stop paying attention. But did you ever think that could happen to your faith? Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
I want more stuff. You want more stuff. We all want more stuff. But what if this desire for more stuff impacts our ability to be thankful? https://www.faithinfive.com/
What do you do when thanksgiving is hard, because your circumstances aren’t very thankworthy? Hear more about engaging your faith during difficult times in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
So what is it about food that brings people together? Is it the food, or something more? Check out how this concept connects to your faith in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The definition of authentic is genuine. It’s who we are when we have none of our guards up. But how do we actually live that way? If you want to hear more about how your faith asks you to live authentically, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
What makes you feel most vulnerable? And what do you do to hide it? Hear more about how faith and vulnerability interact in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
What are you afraid of? For most of us, it’s more than snakes, spiders and the dark. If you’re looking for a dose of courage in the face of fear, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
What would you do if your days were numbered? Would you do anything differently? Often we want to know if we’ve measured up. Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
What would you do if you found yourself in a country where your religion wasn’t the majority, or maybe not even accepted? How would you like to be treated? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Have you ever been in a fight or flight situation? Can you remember how you felt or acted and could you explain why you acted the way you did? Find out what this has to do with our faith in this week’s video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Most, if not all of us, never wake up in the morning ready or excited to blow up our lives. And yet, it happens. And when it does, what does our faith ask from us? https://www.faithinfive.com/
What would you do if your life experience didn’t match what you were taught… Especially if it had to do with your faith? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes?” Does our faith require us to actually do that? Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
One of the things that’s missing from many of our lives is adventure. We live a faith that’s safe, clean and by the books. But what if it’s not supposed to be that way? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Can we be both kind and brave? Do they have anything in common? Hear about how Jesus is the perfect example of both kindness and bravery in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
It’s easy to be brave when there is nothing on the line. But will we be brave when it really matters? And how do we know when it really matters? If you want to hear more about this, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
It seems that the way people look at weather also shapes the way they view life. Our faith has given us something bigger than that… not just happiness, but joy. Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Road trips almost always include driving, but not just aimlessly. Typically, there is something worth pursuing at the end. To hear about how this relates to your faith, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Summer love is one of those fun but fleeting feelings; it contrasts the type of love that our faith requires. Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Road trips almost always include great food in cool places. If you want to hear about how your favorite food might connect to your faith, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
School's out for summer is the angsty anthem of teens everywhere. No more grades, no more homework… But when it comes to our faith, we should never stop learning. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Road trips are the place to throw caution to the wind and unplug from the weight of the world. But what does this have to do with our faith? Find out in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The best road trips are with other people. Uniquely, our faith works exactly the same way. Hear more about how your faith and other people collide in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Fuel is what makes things go. Whether it’s our vehicles, bodies or minds. Learn about what fuels your faith journey in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
When it comes to summer road trips, the most important part is knowing where you’re going. To hear more about how your vision and future plays into your faith life, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Summers are for road trips! Surprisingly, we can learn a lot about our faith journey from the trips that we go on. Hear more about this in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We spend so much time worrying about what others think of us. But what if God wants us to live in such a way that we can dance like nobody’s watching? https://www.faithinfive.com/
When we treat people like projects, we don’t typically get the results we were hoping for. To hear more about what the Bible suggests we do instead, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
It’s a sad truth that places like our churches can be some of the most unkind places. The other sad truth is that this isn’t a reflection of God. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sometimes just being an adult impedes our ability to engage our faith. Check out our latest video to hear more about this. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sometimes the messages that come to us regarding our faith lead us to believe that faith is a solo act. Hear more about what the Bible actually says in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Successful gardening requires planning. And so does our faith. It's much more than just our own personal desires and goals. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Many people believe that if you’re not growing, you’re going backwards. There is no in between, no static. Hear more about how that applies to your faith in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Pruning is the hardest part of gardening, but it also may be preventing you from experiencing everything you can in your faith life. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Whether it looks like it outside or not, spring is fast approaching. And as it warms up, we often start to think about planting and gardening. Turns out, there are so many parallels between gardening and our faith. Hear more in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The first thing we do when we start planning a party is figure out who’s invited. Unfortunately, we often apply this same thinking to our faith. But who’s actually invited to God’s party? Check out our latest video to hear more. https://www.faithinfive.com/
My favorite part about Easter is that it doesn’t end on the cross, and isn’t exclusive to just me. What Jesus did on the cross invites us into a relationship with God and restoring the way this world looks. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Kids love storms… thunderstorms in the summer, snow days in the winter. But as we go through life, we start walking through a different kind of storm. A kind of storm that's definitely not as much fun. If you want to hear more about what God has to say about the storms in your life, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
What if I told you that the Cheers theme song is actually a perfect picture of the way we are designed to be? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sometimes we get so focused on our own vision, that we actually become blind to everything else. If you want to hear more about this, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Have you ever wondered how two people can believe that they are so right about a topic, and yet their views are polar opposites? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Kids are an absolute gift, right? Except for when [insert whatever crazy story happened in the last three minutes]. Hear more about how parenting and faith collide in our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sometimes when it comes to our closest relationships, we tend to focus on all the things that are wrong, rather than the things that are right. If you want to hear more about how to improve your relationship, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We spend a lot of time trying to make things make sense with our words. And yet, there are times when words fall short. Sometimes, we just need to experience it. If you want to hear more, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Anyone else wish that God communicated to us like ads on Facebook? Where you look something up, or almost just think something, and it shows up right in front of you? The reality is that’s just not the way God communicates with us. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Justin Timberlake, mirrors and the image of God? You can find faith in a lot of different places. If you want to know more, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The reality is that we are all going to face challenges. Did you know music could help you get through some of those challenges? Check out our newest video to find out how. https://www.faithinfive.com/
What if the key to accomplishing more this year is to find someone to achieve things alongside of? https://www.faithinfive.com/
What if the secret to accomplishing more and experiencing more meaning is… fun? Can it really be that simple? https://www.faithinfive.com/
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got around goal setting was that I have permission to fail. It sounds counterintuitive, but this week’s video is all about how failure and goal setting really do go together. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Did you that 92% of New Year’s resolutions fail? Why? Perfectionism. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The Christmas story is a narrative many of us are used to telling, however, when we usually tell it, we tell it from our own perspective. The best part of the Christmas story is that it isn't just for one group of people. The Christmas story--the story of the savior--is for both insiders and outsiders. https://www.faithinfive.com/
When is the last time you experienced silence? If you are looking for a break… pure quiet, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sometimes I joke that naps are a part of my creative process, but the Bible shows that Jesus took naps. This week’s video is all about rest… "Can I get an AMEN?!?!" https://www.faithinfive.com/
When is the last time you intentionally took time to push pause? Not like an accidental free moment, but a time where you were intentional about scheduling a break. God has something to say about this in our normal rhythms of life. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time where we are…wait for it...THANKFUL. However, in my experience we usually run into Thanksgiving, gobble up as much food as we can, and then go right back to normal chaotic life. This year do something different: take time to reflect. https://www.faithinfive.com/
One question that most of us have asked, “Do you believe in ghosts?” This week in our latest video, we take a look at what the Bible says about ghosts. https://www.faithinfive.com/
A lot of times when we think about evil, we picture the monster under the bed or the goblin hiding around the corner. Honestly, the way evil typically plays out in our lives is much more subtle. It’s little tiny things that begin to unravel and turn into big things. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The Bible is full of weird freaky stuff… exorcist/demon type stuff. Things most of us have never experienced so we are going to take a closer look. Check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Believe it or not, there are mummies in the Bible. In our latest video, we take a look at one particular mummy and how that story can apply to our faith. https://www.faithinfive.com/
If we are being honest we can admit that the Bible is full of a whole bunch of strange things. In our latest video we investigate how we might come to understand them. Take a look. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Grace gets a bad reputation when we choose either or between grace and truth. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Knowing the right thing and knowing how to do the right thing are the only way to coming close to ACTUALLY doing the right thing. https://www.faithinfive.com/
What if confidence is a prerequisite to humility? Jesus and Abe Lincoln both provide convincing arguments in favor of this idea. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Technology is incredible in that it allows us to live in a world where we are always connected. And yet, we are starting to realize that there is potential for too much of a good thing. https://www.faithinfive.com/
When it comes to success in your career or success with the people you love, you don’t have to choose one or the other. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Some of us love to have a plan and others of us prefer to just go with the flow. What if the key to the most meaningful, most exciting life is both. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Life is full of choices, but it doesn’t always have to be “either/or.” There are some times it can be "both/and.” https://www.faithinfive.com/
Jesus did not come to oppress, to wield power, or to do much of anything the "institution" of religion would have had Him do. Through Jesus, God told a story contrary to anything else...a story of love. https://www.faithinfive.com/
When we view our lives as simply our own stories, it ends up empty. But when we see our stories in relation to God, they have beauty and purpose. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sometimes it can feel like we are a character in someone else’s story. In fact, we are co-authors in God’s story. He has invited us to co-write, and when we own that, embrace that, and we live knowing that; it changes everything. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We all have a story to tell. Each of us has a unique part that fits into God’s bigger story. The best part is that we have been invited to be co-authors in His story. https://www.faithinfive.com/
People often overestimate what they can accomplish in the short term; yet underestimate what they can accomplish in the long term. Our faith requires small simple steps showing up regularly over time. https://www.faithinfive.com/
There are very few things we can know with absolute certainty. The more we get comfortable with uncertainty, the more energy we can spend focused on doing what matters most. https://www.faithinfive.com/
One of life’s simple truths is that you don’t know what you don’t know. We can’t possibly know everything, but we can continually learn, and we can be aware of learning opportunities with God. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Life is not a pass/fail endeavor. In fact, it's more of a learning experience. When it comes to our faith…we have the opportunity to begin again each day. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We typically live life with a heavy preference for self-preservation…It’s human nature. However, Jesus asks us to live differently. He asks us to live counter-intuitively. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sometimes faith can feel routine, and when it becomes routine often times we think it doesn’t matter. I am here to tell you, it matters...your faith matters. https://www.faithinfive.com/
When it comes to prayer, our motto should be “work like it depends on me” and “pray like it depends on God.” https://www.faithinfive.com/
Prayer is kind of like preparing for a marathon. You need to start long before you need it in order to reap its full benefits. If you want to hear more about this, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Prayer is like networking with God. Making requests on behalf of others is the best kind of favor to ask. For more about how your prayers can benefit others, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Prayer is like gas in our tank. There are noticeable signs and noticeable gauges we should pay attention to so we don't end up running on fumes. https://www.faithinfive.com/
I find that sometimes I treat God like a vending machine. I put a request in and I expect something out immediately. However, I know it just doesn’t work that way. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Thinking about prayer as "Hey God" moments makes it more accessible. Prayer should look more like regular conversations with a friend rather than formal presentations. https://www.faithinfive.com/
God’s grace is like a free lemonade stand on the hottest days of summer. We become a part of that grace when we get good at letting people know we have the lemonade if they are thirsty. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The odd thing about grace is that when we are on the outside, we want it to include us. But when we are on the inside, we start to draw lines to exclude others who aren’t like us. https://www.faithinfive.com/
My life experience has not been full of perfectly aligned events or lack of struggle and difficulty, but sometimes our conversations around faith are just that. When I read the bible, it’s full of human struggle…real life struggle like you and I. If you want to hear more about this, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Easter is the culmination of predictions and promises, the struggle of human experience, and ultimate victory. The best way to celebrate is through song. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Many of us are running around trying to find answers. We are so busy doing so that we aren’t able to see that the answer may be waiting for us to stop long enough to actually see it. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Comfort zones have the potential to steal our dreams. God encourages us to find joy in difficulty because they cause us to grow. Dreams are always on the other side of difficulty, just outside our comfort zone. https://www.faithinfive.com/
When it comes to risk, we often measure it against reward. What if we decided to trust God without any promise of reward? What would that require of our faith? How might that grow your faith? Check out our latest video to see how. https://www.faithinfive.com/
For many of us, worry keeps us from experiencing everything this life has to offer. We play games in our heads to try to overcome worry, but God has us covered. If you want to learn more about this, check out our latest video! https://www.faithinfive.com/
Let’s admit it: Life can be a beautiful hot mess. Contrary to popular belief, our faith asks us to sit in it, rather than run from it. If you want to hear more, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Family relationships are all about trust. Communication and expectations dictate that trust. For more information about how to extend and earn trust, check out our latest video! https://www.faithinfive.com/
Most of us have a basic “Rules of Engagement” protocol when it comes to work and friends. But when it comes to those closest to us, we throw those rules out the window. If you are interested in hearing more abut fighting fair, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Relationships round us out. They help us be more complete. We all have gaps and the others in our lives help fill in the gaps. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Relationships are hard. Both good and bad exist in all relationships, and both are contagious. The good news is we get to choose which one spreads. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We all want to be better, but we want to know that our efforts will pay off. For a simple list of 7 habits for bettering your spiritual life, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
I think it’s safe to say we are all searching for meaning. We're all looking for that sweet spot where we know we are doing what we were meant to do. If this sounds like you, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Michael Jackson makes it seem so simple to make a difference, "take a look at yourself, and then make the change." I have found that the hardest person I've ever had to lead has been myself. If you can relate, check out our latest video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
New Year’s Resolutions are like redecorating. Most of us don’t need a complete overhaul or makeover. We just need to move some stuff around, make some minor adjustments, and work with what we already have. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Is it time for a reset, tear down, start over kind of year? Remember: Renovating takes planning and time. See what gardening taught me about the right foundation for a good year in this week's video. https://www.faithinfive.com/
As we head into a new year we often take time to assess. As we consider this year and look ahead to the next, we wonder how this year will be better than the last. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sometimes it feels like the Christmas story is too good to be true. Take a second look at the actual story and see that there are many elements we would change to make the story say what we have wanted. This year, read it as true...not too good to be true. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The Christmas story is a story of outsiders. It's not a perfect "made for tv" movie script. This year as you consider the Christmas story, learn about the outsiders in the story because that version of the story makes it more resemble our story. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We typically think about getting rich as accumulating more and more stuff…more than we already have. What if being rich meant that we were willing to give of some of what we already have? https://www.faithinfive.com/
It's safe to say that some of us have doubts, we don't have all the answers, and yet, some of us don't need all the answers. Are you willing to consider something in which you cannot have it all figured out? https://www.faithinfive.com/
We experience a variety of transitions in our lives. When God meets us in those moments things go from black and white to life in color. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Love can and will be painful, but it's better to feel pain than nothing at all. Like God, be stubborn in your love for others. Don't ask for easy, ask for worth it! https://www.faithinfive.com/
https://www.faithinfive.com/ What if I told you, "God doesn’t have a specific plan for your life"? Instead, He has invited us to be co-authors in this story based on the gifts he has given us and the passions that stir our souls. Listen to Mumford & Sons "Awake My Soul" here... https://youtu.be/R5Z4wpA09zk This cover is pretty good too... https://youtu.be/rhDLSu9TSt4
https://www.faithinfive.com/ Finding balance between space and support can be a challenge in friendships, marriages, parenting, and faith. Thankfully God walks this line with us to perfection…allowing us freedom and yet always being next to us when we call. Listen to Emeli Sande's "Next to Me" by clicking the links below... https://youtu.be/-nwdjQmc_N8?list=RD-... Next to me (ft Kendrick Lamar)...my favorite! https://youtu.be/DXIfnAcxiI8
Life is like a chocolate fountain…when we pour into the lives of others, they do the same, and so on and so on making our life full enough to continue to pour out. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Many times we pray something but what it requires of us is beyond our comfort zone so we continue living just short of life to its fullest extent…just short of everything God has in store for us. https://www.faithinfive.com/
There are many moments in our lives when a group of people is better than doing it alone. Although we may disagree, the Bible suggests prayer is no different. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We get good at things by doing them more often, and as we improve, we are more willing to take bigger chances. Pray often so you can learn to pray audaciously. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Prayer = Talking to God. Relationships are built on communication so let Him know how you feel. Thinking about it as “talking to God” removes the mystery of trying to say all the right things. https://www.faithinfive.com/
It is possible to have too much of a good thing…even if that good thing is God. https://www.faithinfive.com/
People who are far from God are not looking to come home to a God who wants penance. Thankfully, we get the opportunity to paint an accurate picture of a loving, relational God. https://www.faithinfive.com/
No matter what we have done and no matter how far we are from God, He longs for us to come home. God wants to throw a party in your honor! https://www.faithinfive.com/
Even with all the right tools we can still find ourselves a bit lost. The good news is we are never too far lost to be able to course correct toward God…our desired destination. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Your life’s purpose is not a one-time, all or nothing decision. God desires to go with us and meet us along the path we choose, helping and course correcting along the way. https://www.faithinfive.com/
When it comes to praying, personal struggle, or judging others, we typically treat God like a vending machine. https://www.faithinfive.com/
If you feel like the world is going to “hell in a hand basket,” don’t check out or give up. We need more good people living graciously and generously even when we are at our worst. https://www.faithinfive.com/
As humans we like to know why, but sometimes we end up asking the wrong questions. https://www.faithinfive.com/
In the face of adversity God asks us to show up. We are part of God’s plan for healing in this world. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Take comfort in knowing that when facing adversity you are in good company…Jesus walked in your shoes! https://www.faithinfive.com/
Adversity helps shift the lens through which we see the world and allows us the opportunity to better understand goodness. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Baptism is a significant marker of a faith decision that washes over you like a virus. As a result, you begin to show symptoms of a life lived in close connection with God. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Whether you choose to or not, you will have an influence on others. What kind of influence do you want to have? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Wanting what others have robs the world of your unique story. You have been given a story to co-write with God that only you can tell. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Our words are powerful. When we don’t choose them carefully, we can end up misrepresenting God to ourselves and others. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Stealing is generally a result of not having. God seems to see it as a result of not having trust in him to provide. Instead of stealing, try giving and see what happens to your perspective on stuff.
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Our upgrade culture has us constantly on the look out for the next best thing. When it comes to people, we turn others into objects when see them only for how they can benefit us. God warns us that beginning to think this way changes us from the inside out. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Don’t murder should be a short conversation without argument. However, God warns us about the seeds of murder that can build up in our hearts. https://www.faithinfive.com/
There is a preferred and ideal order that includes respecting and honoring your parents, the people who brought you into this world. The nurturing and loving support of a parent is the closest thing we have to a God-like relationship on Earth. https://www.faithinfive.com/
God wants to give you a day off! The Sabbath is not about any specific day of the week, but rather about a day to rest and trust. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Not using God’s name in vain is a way bigger deal than not swearing. The way we represent God is the most significant reason people decide whether to trust Him or run from Him. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The 10 Commandments are about priorities. If we spend our time or money on things that are less important, it leaves little to no room for the most important things. The same is true with our faith. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The 10 Commandments may seem like a list of outdated rules, but they are much more a reflection of God’s desire to have a relationship with us in the here and now. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Let’s face it—we have control issues. When we want to fix something or if something isn’t going our way, we try to wrestle the problem to the ground by trying harder, holding tighter, or doing more of the same again and again. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Many of us spend our whole lives trying harder, getting better, and wondering if we have been good enough. The reality is your best is just not good enough…and this is GOOD news! It's the best news. It’s the Gospel. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Crowds cheer, we tailgate, we gather, and fans dress for the occasion…our lives revolve around “The Big Game.” Our conversations are dedicated to who is playing and who won. The reality is that our faith has a big game, too. Holy week is like the Christian version of March Madness and Easter is “The Big Game.” https://www.faithinfive.com/
We all have a comfort zone that keeps us safe. Unfortunately, this comfort zone also keeps us limited. Many of us find ourselves asking, “Is this it?” If you stay in the box where the expectations are safe, then the answer is typically, “yes.” https://www.faithinfive.com/
We are all searching for meaning and hoping to find a clear answer to the elusive “calling.” The truth is that God is into what we are in to. He wants to join us in aligning our passions and skills with his ultimate plan. We look far and wide when our purpose may be closer than we think.
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Relationships take commitment. Sometimes we enter into them unknowingly and other times we enter into them haphazardly. If we picture our relationships as something we willingly commit to for the long haul, we might be better prepared to weather the difficult storms. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Relationships are meant to be redemptive in nature. Healthy relationships have fair expectations, love others in spite of flaws, and together fill the voids that make us imperfect. Relationships allow us to be a more complete picture of who God intended us to be. https://www.faithinfive.com/
SHOW LESSThe more time we spend in relationships the easier it becomes to see the faults, the bad, and the ugly than it is to see the things that brought you together. However, if we can figure out a way to more regularly celebrate the good, the triumphs, and the redemption in our relationships, our relationships will be a reflection of a God who created us for relationships. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We are all wired to be in relationships. We were not designed to do this journey without people in our lives. However, relationships are hard and take work. If we don't pay attention, it's very easy for our relationships to begin to drift from their desired status. https://www.faithinfive.com/
We all need help at some point. In fact, most people credit a mentor, coach, teacher, parent, or a group of close friends for getting them through life. The odd part about life is that we prefer to hide or minimize our flaws to protect ourselves, and we have little patience for others mistakes and learning experiences. https://www.faithinfive.com/
When it comes to faith, we spend a lot of time thinking about and talking about heaven as if it is a far off place. What if God’s intentions are for us to experience heaven here on earth? Our approach to interacting with others, diversity, and differing customs may just be a key to experiencing heaven on Earth that is often overlooked. https://www.faithinfive.com/
Some of us fear doubts when it comes to faith. We work hard to protect our positions on certain issues and leave little room in our lives for anyone who thinks differently. What if our faith is designed to have difficult conversations and ask difficult questions? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Holding on to things of the past can weigh us down. Sometimes we get so used to the extra “weight” we carry that it becomes a part of us. The New Year usually brings all sorts of goals around getting healthier and losing literal weight. This year, start the year off by ditching the excess baggage you’ve been holding on to. https://www.faithinfive.com/
New Year’s resolutions are always a mixed bag. Sometimes we pick something that sticks, but most of the time we pick a handful of things from a long list we want to change and start without much of a plan. There are people who can pick seemingly random stuff and throw it together when it comes to cooking, but when it comes to planning the next year, we need a recipe for success. https://www.faithinfive.com/
The events surrounding Jesus’ birth seem too good to be true. They may even seem like a fairy tale. We tell the story so often through kid’s eyes or through beautiful songs that the reality of the story seems distant. Is it true? Were there really talking angels, was there a manger, and a virgin birth? https://www.faithinfive.com/
As one would imagine, there is a lot to learn about elves from the move Elf: the different jobs an elf can have, the 4 major food groups of elves, and that they exist in a land where snowmen, narwhals, and arctic puffins speak. When it comes to faith, the most important thing we learn is that there is a code among elves… https://www.faithinfive.com/
Sharing God’s love and knowing God deeper have often been thought of as two separate but necessary elements of an active and growing faith life. We long to go “deeper” and grow closer to our God, but we also want our faith to matter so we spread God’s love as “wide” as we can. What if we actually grow deeper by spreading wider? https://www.faithinfive.com/
We work so hard to fit everything into our busy lives that we often forget the most important thing—God. Because God is always with us, we tend take Him for granted and forget to engage Him until we really need Him. Why do so many things in our lives get priority over God? https://www.faithinfive.com/
Many times we forget that God’s grace covers all things. Depending on where you are on your spiritual journey, you may feel like you are too dirty for God’s grace to extend to you, or you may feel that someone else is too dirty to deserve it. The beauty of God is that he loves us just the way we are…he take us “as is.”
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