WHAT IF THERE WERE NO RULES?

interference

When I was young, several of us would go to a park or playground and play some football. When we played no one was there to “throw a flag,” to point out an infraction of the rules of football. Instead, there was usually some boisterous arguing.

In the NFL, when a referee sees an infraction, he throws a yellow flag on the field, and the sports broadcaster says, “There’s a flag on the field.”  But can you imagine a football game, or any other sport, where there were no rules? Our playground games had some rules, but no rules?  No standard? That would be utter chaos.

Not just sports, but in

Sometimes you just gotta leave it all behind. This is a cool video from the group, Casting Crowns, called, The Well.

It’s from their album,  Come To The Well.

I think it’s inspiriting – what do you think?  If you like it, share it!

THROW YOUR BIBLE AWAY?

Your Opinion Of Rich People Might Mean You Don’t Need Your Bible Anymore!

money
I’ve spent time with very poor people, very rich people, and everybody in between.  Most of the wealthy people I’ve encountered personally do not fit the general description or common opinions.

How many times do we hear phrases like, “dirty rich people,” filthy rich,” greedy rich,”  etc.?  There are many who think if someone has wealth, they obtained their riches dishonestly, and they are evil, sinful people.  But is that also true of all the wealthy people in the Bible?

PROVERBS THREE IS LOADED!

What I Saw In Proverbs 3

proverbs 3 phone
I thought it was a good plan since I had not read the whole book of Proverbs in quite awhile.  But reading a chapter a day did not work. It came to an abrupt halt at Chapter 3.

Day One, Chapter One: I enjoyed reading from the KJV, the NIV, and RSV.  My mobile Bible app makes it very easy to read other versions. On day two, I read Chapter Two: very enjoyable. But then, on Day Three, I had to put the brakes on; I had to stop my plan because of what I saw!

Alan Jackson first performed this song, November 7, 2001, barely two months after 9/11, at the CMA Awards.  Ten years later, he talked about how he came to write the song.

For me, it’s just as inspiring today as it was 14 years ago.  Is it for you tooanim-waving-usa-flag

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Gravy is gravy and truth is truth

brooklyn lI remember my first day after moving to Brooklyn, New York asking someone for directions.  They said, “Go three blocks and turn left at the “L” and…” I interrupted, “L Street?”  “No, turn left at the “L.”  “The “L?” I asked, very puzzled.

His irritated response was, “Where are you from?”  No, I wasn’t a native and had no idea what the “L” was.  However, I learned quickly that, “L,” actually meant

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!

light-switchWhat 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!

WARNINGS AND PROMISES

What does the Bible really say about money?

coinsAn 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?

Choose Your Friends Wisely

Who are you hanging out with?

With the kids heading back to school, this video offers some good advice to start the new year.

I have two stories about choosing your friends. They might be a little too dramatic for a 6 year olds. But, beyond that, sound advice for grade school, middle school, high school, college, and even adults!

Enjoy the video.

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