Posted on Friday, August 28, 2015

Re-Launching

Confidence And Joy is back online!

Finally, after weeks of repairs, alterations, renovations, remodeling, and implementing a brand new theme, this blog is back online!

What do you think?

Is the free eBook offer too inconspicuous? Just kidding. Sign up today and get your free eBook, and you’ll get email notifications for each new post. (Already a subscriber? You’ll need to sign up to reconfirm and you’ll get the eBook too!)

Take some time to look around at the new format and leave a comment and let me know what you think. Leave a comment on this post, or any other post. You can easily share any post you like with others as well.

There are still a few minor adjustments going on in the background, but we are off and sailing forward, providing practical Christian living.

It feels good to be back!

Posted on Wednesday, August 26, 2015

WARNINGS AND PROMISES

What does the Bible really say about money?

An honest look into any topic in the Scriptures requires one to search out and investigate every scripture pertaining to that topic. Since the scriptures are God’s Word, there can be no contradictions; all verses on the topic need to fit together. Those that seem to be difficult to understand and may appear to be contradictory must be understood in light of the clearer ones and not vice versa.

The problem so many times is that most people do not want to put forth the effort required to examine every verse on a particular topic. When it comes to money, wealth, riches and prosperity, the Bible has a lot to say. There are literally hundreds of verses one should consider.

What Does The Bible Really Say?

Posted on Monday, July 27, 2015

I Can Turn Lemons into Lemonade

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You’ve probably heard the old phrase, “God can turn lemons into lemonade.” It basically means you can trust God for His help during difficult times. Lemons are sour, but lemonade is sweet; God can bring you out of a sour situation into sweet deliverance.

But I must admit, I’ve never really liked that phrase. Not that I don’t believe God can help in lousy situations. He certainly has for me on many occasions. But the analogy for me has always been weak because,

Posted on Monday, July 20, 2015

Should Christians Speak Up Or Not?

Recently, I saw a phrase by C.S Lewis: “Omnipotent moral busybodies.” That sounds a lot like some of the religious people in Jesus Christ’s day. And still today, there are plenty of omnipotent moral busybodies.

”Of all tyrannies a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies…” – C.S. Lewis

The other extreme today in Christianity are Christians who are

Posted on Monday, July 13, 2015

What About The Truth?

We decided not to tell our children there was a Santa Claus. That was our choice and I certainly don’t judge other parents who decide to go along with the whole Santa thing. It may sound silly to some and even ridiculous to others for us to take that position, but for us, we just didn’t want to have to someday tell them we lied about it.

I do remember one time talking to my daughter, when she was around five, who, because signs and talk of Santa were everywhere, was starting to wonder if Santa was real. I talked truthfully to her and asked her

Posted on Sunday, July 5, 2015

The Supreme Court Has Spoken

(Note: Some links I’ve included in this article are intended to give you added information and perspective)

When I heard the recent US Supreme Court decision regarding marriage, like many Christians, it was not a time of rejoicing, far from it. In a 5-4 decision, the judges redefined an institution that has served humanity for thousands of years. They, by their decision, overturned God’s plan for human beings.

God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” He made a woman and brought her unto the man. Forget the Christian bashing; this was long before Christianity. This was God’s plan for human beings from the beginning.

Many people I’ve talked to since that decision

Posted on Thursday, July 2, 2015

Independence Day – 2015

This post contains some quotes, links to previous posts, and, our Bill of Rights, as this weekend, here in the United States of America, we celebrate our Independence.We so often sing the words, “God shed His grace on thee….” And He certainly has!

But for me, in these troubling days, I am inclined to pray for His mercy on our country. While many clearly see our country continuing to turn away from God, others are either too busy to notice, or, just don’t care.

This weekend I will

Posted on Friday, June 26, 2015

Results From My First Reader Survey

Here’s What You Had To Say.

I launched my very first reader survey a few weeks ago. It’s exciting going through the results. I think it’s a great way to get real, useful info on the people I want to serve best: you!

If you did participate, thanks for taking the time to do it. After spending time going over the results, here’s what I found out as well as

Posted on Monday, June 22, 2015

Unbroken

A few weeks ago Kathy and I rented the movie Unbroken, the true story of Louis Zamperini based on the bestselling book by Laura Hillenbrand. It wasn’t easy to watch, but nevertheless very inspiring. You would think surviving 47 days floating in a raft in the Pacific Ocean would be more than anyone could endure. But he endured so much more for over two years as a POW.

A Big Surprise!

When we finished the movie, there was a big surprise – the bonus material on the DVD. Watching it we got to see and hear him, in his nineties. He died last July at the age 97.

One can only imagine after enduring what he endured how it would affect your life. After a time of tremendous hurt and struggle back home, Louis remembered something he told God drifting on his raft years before. He turned to God, accepted Christ, and his life changed dramatically.

Watching and listening to him speak, there is tremendous learning in many categories, but especially forgiveness. I better stop at this point, in case you haven’t seen the bonus material; I don’t want to be a spoiler. But I plan to purchase the DVD just because of that extra material.

Have you watched the movie? Have you seen the bonus material? What did you think?

Mike Verdicchio
2015

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You Might Also Enjoy:
The Forgiveness Decision (Podcast)
Forgive Even If They’re Not Sorry? (Video)
If He Could Forgive (Video)
Unbroken (The Movie)

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Posted on Friday, June 19, 2015

Father’s Day 2015

Happy Father’s Day, Dads!

This year for Father’s Day, I recommend some past posts.

There are some great quotes in the post, Father’s Day.

You’ll find a really interesting and insightful podcast in the post, Who’s Your Daddy, and What Does He Do? (In the gospel of John there’s a pretty intense discussion about, “Who’s your daddy,” between Jesus Christ and the religious leaders!)

And there’s a couple of cool Andy Andrews videos from, Father’s Day 2012

Happ Father’s Day Weekend to all you Dad’s!