It comes as no surprise when we realize that God’s love is different than ours. After all, ‘His thoughts are above our thoughts, and His ways are above our ways,’ right? On the other hand, we are created in His image, so what we do should look, at least in part, like what He does. And that is how it is with love. When we love and act our love out perfectly, it is exactly like God’s love. The problem is -at least for me- consistency. So, I have set out to understand the difference between God’s love and mine and determine if we can train ourselves to love more like He does. The following two thoughts have radically changed my heart:

It’s no secret we live in a world of distractions. Just about everyone I know, myself included, could probably get medication for A.D.D. One report shows that 7% of children age 5-17 were diagnosed with ADHD in 2003 and then 11% in 2011. In 2016 there was a 43% increase. Email, Text messages, Social Media, Politics, the distractions are endless. I have gone 5 months without blogging because of being politically distracted and not wanting to rant on that subject. So many have become “experts.” So, I have set out to uncover and practice at least 3 ways that I can detox from Weapons of Mass Distraction.

A confession is in order. I believe for the most part that I am abandoned to God. I don’t want to say “for the most part.” I have to, however, to keep any semblance of truth. My actions prove otherwise.
Just when I think I am ‘in a groove,’ The wrong person says the wrong thing… The worst situation happens at the worst possible time… The unthinkable is thought by someone about me… and actually said out loud!

What are the key ingredients to a long-lasting relationship? Imagine if love could be dissected and the traits that make it up could be labeled and explained. Which of those traits could we actually work on in ourselves to improve our relationships?

Let me put it this way: If that were real life wouldn’t we all be able to give lots of examples where that is happening? (Involving people we actually know?!) I am convinced that all relationships require effort, but it doesn’t have to be so difficult that we feel like our efforts aren’t paying off. That is the purpose of this post.

If you look around, it’s not hard to draw the conclusion that integrity is a nearly forgotten term in today’s society. Just watch a couple of Presidential debates and you’ll realize that even the most powerful people in the world have a problem getting speech and actions to coexist. The people who create the most positive change in the world, however, not only have integrity, they consistently work to build it and maintain it. According to Webster, “Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change.” That’s good but I like the Urban Dictionary’s definition: “Doing the right thing when nobody’s looking.” That is certainly evidence of integrity. I have found that learning to use one simple word is a key to building integrity. I believe it can help you too.

I expect that many folks who read this particular blog will read this knowing Danny. They will undoubtedly be one of his literally countless friends who like myself, consider themselves unique. That Danny was somehow “their” friend. See, Danny is like that. He has an ability to which we all aspire: ‘Understand the conversation going on in someone’s head and become part of it.’ Danny goes a step further. He becomes part of the conversation… and cares. How I would truly love to have more of that character.

“Problems.” If you are not having one, you have had one. If you’re not in the middle of one now, chances are you know someone that is and that sometime down the road, that person will be you. Things don’t always go our way, right?

There is high value in seeing the value in problems.

Especially since we have determined they are inevitable for ourselves, and for others.