Dating is supposed to be fun. While Christians may not do everything that their secular counterparts do, that doesn’t mean we cannot enjoy life. I hope this list gives you some great ideas to explore new things, have meaningful conversations with your partner, and strengthen your love for one another. If you are married don’t stop dating! It is one of the single greatest contributing factors to marriage satisfaction.

In my house most people call me “Mom.” That means I gave birth to a couple of the members of our household, two of them to be exact. While the title of mom implies that biologically I am responsible for their upbringing it encompasses so much more. I didn’t have any grand ideas about how beautifully warm and fuzzy motherhood would be. I had done enough babysitting and nannying to know that children can be tiny terrorists. However, I didn’t fully understand ALL that it would require.

I relate all too well with my friend. I pack every moment of every day with something. Whether it is work, laundry, a lunch date, serving at church, or attending the third baseball game of the week my schedule is packed. I like it that way. There is something about being busy that validates I am contributing to society. The problem with that mindset is that it depletes us over time. We cannot go 100 miles per hour without occasionally taking time to fill the tank.

Jesus’ first words after his temptation when he began his public ministry was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) There is no mistake in this being the first thing that Jesus started to tell the world. The bible is full of examples where humanity when off the rails away from God. Then God who is rich in mercy would call them to repent and return to him. When humanity repented then God’s punishment was removed, postponed, or lessened. When humanity refused, God’s punishment and judgment would be carried out as He promised. Jesus compels us to repent because the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Why is this so important?

When you think of being a Christian being dangerous is probably not an adjective that comes to mind. I associated terms like meek, calm, mild, kind, and forgiving to Christians, not dangerous. Aren’t we called to be lovers, not fighters?  The answer is yes, and no. We are called to love and serve others but also to fight hell and all its schemes here on earth. This sometimes requires us to confront difficult circumstances, people, governments, and authorities. Jesus was the most dangerous person in the Bible but there are other people who led a dangerous life including; Peter, Stephen, Paul, John, Lydia, and James among others. They were people who not only believed in the risen Jesus but they influenced the world with their testimony. They stood up for what they believed and faced grueling consequences.

There are three types of faith steps that require a lot of courage and where I have discovered people struggle the most to move outside of their comfort zone. The three types of courageous faith steps have to do with finances, relationships and calling. Each of these areas tests our willingness to trust God. In different ways, they force us to make a choice between courage and complacency.

Fast forward a couple of decades and becoming a born-again Christian, I had fear around the idea of meditation. I, like many Christians, felt that it was an Eastern Religion practice and it was unbiblical. I steered clear of meditation and stuck to conscious prayer. That was safe. However, as I began to read the Bible more I started to see that not only were there several passages pointing to prayer AND meditation. Christian meditation was possible.

My favorite piece of art isn’t a Monet, Renoir, or Michaelangelo. It isn’t priceless. My favorite work of art is a painting called, “Gold of Venice” by Marko Mavrovich. It is an impressionist style painting of the Venice canals. Most art critiques wouldn’t have it hanging on their walls but it is hanging on mine. You see there is an incredible story about how I came to own this beautiful painting.

No one really wants to admit that they discriminate or have prejudices. I still hate admitting what I am about to tell you. The fact that I fear this group of people and go out of my way to avoid engaging with them makes me sick. I have justified my discrimination as discernment for many years. Until recently.

I was turning toward home when I realized I needed a few things at the store. I picked up some fruit, dishwashing soap, and a loaf of bread. I was heading to checkout when I saw her. My new neighbor walking directly towards me. I knew it was her because she was wearing the same clothing I had seen her in only a few minutes before. This was the do or die moment. I knew God was calling me out to PRACTICE WHAT I PREACHED!

I waited outside in a dingy hallway of a casting agent’s office somewhere on the lower west side. The lighting was dull fluorescent and it smelled like a mixture of old shoes and a hundred years of dust. I sat with other wannabe actors. All of us nobodies just trying to get a break. I don’t remember anything about them other than I wasn’t alone.

“Where did the time go?” I ask myself this question regularly. I am a list maker which is helpful and discouraging all at once. I write down all the tasks I hope to accomplish in a day but often half of the list gets moved to tomorrow or next week or even next month if I am not careful. I realized that a few “time thieves” were the culprit of not getting things done. Here are the five biggest time thieves in my life and how I learned to stop them.

Does this sound familiar? You fall into bed and even though you are exhausted you run through the endless lists of tasks for tomorrow. You feel the pressure to keep hustling. Even though many of us are working from home and have limited activities thanks to the global pandemic we are still “striving” to get it all done. Did you know this endless rushing is actually an attack on a spiritual promise of rest God? We are meant to have rest. God not only gives us rest but it is one of the commands in His word. (Exodus 20:8-11) Let’s unpack these three lies we believe about rest so we can reclaim what is rightfully ours.

It’s that time of year where we all resolve to treat our bodies better than we did last year. I lead a pretty health conscious life but even I feel the need for a reboot come January. December always boasts too much chocolate, wine, and lounging. However, I recognize that setting goals that are too difficult to implement or simply have results too far in the future get abandoned. Here are five of my favorite healthy habits that are easy to start.

I just discovered there is a strange debate on whether or not Christians should set goals. The argument is if we set goals we cannot be led by the Holy Spirit. This is simply not biblical. While we don’t want to hold onto our goals so tightly we miss divine detours, we should make plans to accomplish the purposes God created us to complete. How do we do that well?

The gift of hospitality comes very natural to some. My mother is one of the world’s greatest hosts. Her photo should be next to “The hostess with the mostess,” in the urban dictionary. Everytime she invites people over they leave feeling refreshed, relaxed, and wishing the party wouldn’t end. The interesting thing is her parties are not always the same and the guests cover a wide range of people. She hob-nobs with the elite and the common, the wealthy and the poor, the extroverts and the introverts. No matter who is sitting at her table I can almost guarantee they will leave her home feeling warm and cozy and hoping to get another invite soon. How does she do it?

The most fun family that I know is my own. I don’t say that to brag, but I love spending time with them, dreaming, vacationing, playing games, and exploring with them. They are my people. I’m grateful to be part of a family that pushes me to embrace having fun even when a tower of tasks are looming. Having a fun family requires intention. There are a few secrets of being a fun family that I have learned.

We get so bogged down in reasons why we can’t that we miss an opportunity. We close ourselves off to possibilities because we short-changed ourselves and God.The most powerful word to overcome "I can't" is: