Words of Hope: The Secret to A Long and Happy Life

A close friend sent me a Ted Talk that is the most watched in Ted history. This talk references the longest study of adults done to date. Researchers analyzed the lives of about 750 individuals from 1935 and now...

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Words of Hope: Celebrating People

I found a note from my dad. Dad wrote amazing words of encouragement. He celebrated people and made me feel like I could run through a brick wall if I had to. Dad healed me and many people through...

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Words of Hope: Inside Out Faith

I keep thinking about many Christian churches and schools I have witnessed in my life. Here is one thing I deeply admired about my dad. He believed that Christianity should change us. We should be more loving, more compassionate,...

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Words of Hope: What You Need When You Need It

We have a chalkboard with the “verse of the week” stenciled across the top hanging above the NBC Camps office sink. The verse we have is written in blue chalk and says, “You will keep him in perfect ...

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Words of Hope: Struggling to Ask Forgiveness

A friend of ours is doing his dissertation on the phenomenon of forgiveness asking. He is researching the experience of asking forgiveness of family, friends, and colleagues. He asked me about my experience.   After our interview, I thought of many...

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Words of Hope: Self Control

I love thinking about the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God seems full of joy, life, and abundance. Maybe I believe this because I associate the gifts of the Holy Spirit with the fruit of love, joy, peace,...

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Words of Hope: Setback to Comeback

I love the phrase, "A setback is a setup for a comeback." I have been chanting this in my mind for the last few days. All the remarkable stories have this trajectory. I think of Esther in the shadow...

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Words of Hope: The Need of a Good Father

Last night, our family attended a beautiful event combining the discussion of leadership and dance. This teaching was presented by a father/son duo. Shann and I were touched by this father and son’s true devotion to one another. The...

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Words of Hope: Disciplines

Dad greatly excelled at relational discipline. He willingly submitted to the rigor of relational well-being, investing time and attention, encouraging words, and spending quality time with those he loved. Dad also greatly excelled at spiritual discipline.  Because he was so...

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Words of Hope: Gratitude in Grief

Growing up my family had a daily ritual of reading Our Daily Bread every morning at the table. No matter who was staying or living at our home at the time, everyone participated. Dad or Mom made it fun by leaving...

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