Alive and Active Life

The power of good ripples is like tossing a pebble into a quiet pond. First, the entry of the pebble creates a "plunk." As the water receives the pebble, it leaps up with a splash of welcome. Then the ripple begins! It’s beautiful to watch from the side. Artful, smooth, concentric circles roll outward. Interestingly, their art continues to "tell" about the pebble. Finally, the ripples reach the edge of the water and fade into the bank. Circle by circle becomes still - and once again, you see your own reflection in the pond canvas. Let's look at power of good ripples you have . . . Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

The highest motive is often identified when a person, family, community, or country is under duress. For instance, both world wars gave the global public - and nations - opportunities to choose motives that are honorable despite risks, sacrifices, and cost. Incidentally, it's helpful to know your personal highest motive. Additionally, to let it propel you into opportunities each day. Also, this gives you influence and purpose. President Zelensky said - Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

A couple of decades ago, there was a commercial for Coca-Cola that claimed - "It's the real thing." If this is before your time, just google it. There was another trend during those years. Basically, how to be real. I also recall another phrase - "It's the real deal." Incidentally, that phrase inspired marketing strategies, shareable images, at least one podcast, creative pictures, and use in daily conversation. Essentially, it means - "the real thing, genuine, not fake, not imitation, not a copy." Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

What's the theme of your life? Have you thought about it? Some people target a theme and work toward it for years. Others simply live - and notice a theme forms over time. Interestingly, if you engage some strategy, you can maneuver - and even change - your life theme. Hope and opportunity are always available to help you move forward. Let's explore. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

You've heard the illustration of standing in front of several doors, having to choose one without knowing what's behind each. Similarly, doors you choose for your life become your reality. This can be exciting. Contrastingly, some doors bring great sadness. Nevertheless, you discover new things behind doors. And new experiences can provide hope - if you hold God's hand while you open and close doors of your life. Let's look at doors of your life . . . Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

OK! Think WINTER! Freezing cold. You feel exposed - at risk. Plus - you're shivering! Next thing you know, someone offers you a soft, comfortable, big blanket. Plus, it's an electric blanket, already plugged in - cozy and warm. This word picture shows what it's like to be covered by God's love. Particularly in the cold of the world where you are sometimes exposed and at risk. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

Back in the year 2000, in the Disney movie, "The Kid," two grown-ups have a conversation about growing up. One of them, Amy, says, "Well, we can't go around anymore talking about what we're going to be like when we grow up. We are up." Basically, she's saying - it's time to live grown up. So, let's explore what it means to live grown up. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

Question for you. What does the White City and your life have in common? Of course, you'll remember the White City is straight out of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Interestingly, between the White City and another city, Osgiliath, there's a lot in common with your life. Let's look. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

In your opinion, what are the most important 3 things to care about? Do you have a list? For the record, I have a list. Interestingly, the things we care about most - directly influence how we live each day. Actually, it's helpful to know Scripture mentions 3 things to really care about. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

Do you remember Aragorn's famous quote in The Lord Of The Rings? "There is always hope!" Then there's another quote by the great soccer player, Pele. "Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." Hope and hard work are guideposts that keep you on a good path. The first quote provides a picture of avoiding despair - when there is still hope. The second is a realistic picture of what hard work looks like. Now - let's tear into hope and hard work. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

Last article, we explored how to respond When Life Gets Hard. Here's the thing. Sometimes, life stays hard for a long period of time. Despite your best efforts, practicing great action steps, and staying close to the Lord - you can still end up in a place of discouragement or depression. So, how do you cope? What can you do to manage these conditions? Let's look together. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

I remember a time when I made a plunge I didn't intend to. Nor did I want to. Matter of fact, it surprised me when I realized where I ended up. Interestingly, I found myself in the very place a guy in Scripture landed. When life gets hard, it can knock the wind out of you. Also, you feel exhausted. Things pile up over your history. Then, you can plunge - and slip from the comfortable place you normally enjoy. When life gets hard, it's critical to pro-actively do certain things to re-enter a comfortable, healthy place. Incidentally, that's what God wants for you. So, let's look at some helpful action points. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

You know what it's like when you're about to tell someone a secret. Or when they want to tell you a secret. You "lean into" the other person with eager expectation. Even excitement. There are many kinds of secrets to share with a friend in life. And the best ones are secrets about your life in Christ. So - let's tear into it! Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

I'm thinking back to when I was a young adult. I've discovered people think differently when they first enter the adult world than when they have a decade or two of life experience behind them. That was certainly true for me. As life "happened" and challenges piled up, I began to realize I need a little more wisdom! So, what did I do? Fortunately, I pursued wisdom - because I realized I didn't have much on my own. Now, I frequently visit the timeless library of wisdom. Thankfully, it's open anytime - night or day. (More on that in this content.) Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

One year when my family moved, we were a month late putting our vegetable garden in. Still, God blessed our late-planting. We enjoyed the beauty and fresh nourishment of so many lovely vegetables. Truly, we were thankful for God’s bounty – and for the cycle of a seed. Incidentally, planting a seed means the death of a seed. And from this "death" comes new life. Subsequently, what is the cycle of a seed? And how could information like this affect your daily life? Let's look at the cycle of a seed. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

When I was in college, I took a "Camping - Hiking Course." It fulfilled a basic requirement. Overall, it was a good experience. Interestingly, I learned a lot. However, I remember one bad experience - the weather didn't cooperate. Our group pitched our tent. But it started POURING. Then, the temperature dropped dramatically. It was a freezing, soppy mess. Sadly, our group squeezed into a car and spent the night there - shivering. Unfortunately, our tent nor our car, provided the covering and protection we needed. Thankfully, God's covering and protection doesn't look like that. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

Do you remember being a little kid and you just thought it would never get to your birthday - or to Christmas? Now, fast-forward to your current age. Whatever decade you're in - your perspective is likely different. Even teens start to say things like - "time has passed so quickly." Essentially, time is growing short. We live knowing we will eventually die. If nothing else, time is certainly limited. So, let's explore how to live each day while time is growing short. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

In our last article/podcast, A Plan To Be More Like Jesus, we laid out a reasonable plan using twenty-five helpful action points to keep you matched up with Scripture. You've likely formed many plans over the years with strategies to carry them out. Subsequently, it makes sense to develop a plan and long-term strategies to be more like Jesus. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

Do you need a long-overdue vacation? Or perhaps you want to pay off a loan quickly. Maybe you've never gardened, but you want to try one. Could be you've decided to change careers but need more education. Or you might commit to lose a few unwanted pounds. Regardless, whatever the scenario, you need a plan - or you'll get nowhere fast. Similarly, you need a plan to be more like Jesus. Incidentally, it doesn't just happen. So, let's look at a good plan to do just that. Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.

A few years ago, we published an article about "your number." The content is important enough to explore again with a fresh look - especially considering current global times. Interestingly, everyone uses numbers each day - finances, critical dates, paying bills, trips to the grocery store or gas pump. Then there are birthdays - "how old are you this year?" Incidentally, what's your number for your tax return this year? So many numbers! Most important, what's your number that represents your life? Read More ... For more resources and tools that inspire and equip you to live well using God's Word in practical ways each day, visit the Alive and Active Life website.