Fred & Jennifer Crowell1,569 articles since 2013

Practical wisdom for whatever you're facing.

Short, honest, Bible-rooted articles on parenting, marriage, grief, faith and leadership. Ask a question in your own words, or pick a topic.

"Hope is an anchor for the soul." Hebrews 6:19

Today's Word of Hope

The latest from Jennifer

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Two faces made of trees turn toward each other, one bare and one green
3 min read

Learning from Disagreement

Coming to mutuality that is loving and unified is challenging when disagreements arise. A disagreement has several elements- power, desire, vision, and hope.

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A painting of a tall sailing ship tossed by huge waves in a storm at night under a glowing moon
Jennifer Crowell Ferch

Where is Your Faith?

The other night my daughter went camping in the woods. I awoke with a fearful dream about a bear attacking her. I tried to sleep and the image of the dream kept recurring.

A man in a suit sits on the sidewalk sharing a meal and a laugh with an older homeless man
Jennifer Crowell Ferch

Attending to Attention

What holds my attention? I love the adage: where attention goes, energy flows.

A father and his young daughter walk hand in hand through a field of flowers toward the sunset
Jennifer Crowell Ferch

Adjustment

Henri Nouwen writes, “Let my old self die, and let me die to the big and small ways in which I am still building up my false self, and trying to cling to my false desires.

A word for today

It is the will to expose what secret fears we may have and seek love instead.
Jennifer Crowell Ferch · Learning from Disagreement

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Meet the writers

A father's words, a daughter's voice

Fred Crowell

Fred Crowell

Founder of NBC Camps and Crowell University

Fred Crowell was a basketball coach, mentor and the founder of NBC Camps. He wrote Words of Hope most weekdays for years, sharing faith, emotional intelligence and practical wisdom with coaches, players and families, until his passing on August 11, 2021. His book, Words of Hope, gathers many of these messages.

Jennifer Crowell Ferch

Jennifer Crowell Ferch

Fred's daughter, carrying on Words of Hope

Jennifer Crowell Ferch is Fred Crowell's daughter and leads NBC Camps. After her Dad's passing in 2021 she took up Words of Hope, writing about faith, grief, family and the many lessons her Dad taught her.

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Jennifer Crowell Ferch

Thick Skin

Dad and I struggled with thin skin at times. We love people and want to be loved. Dad often encouraged me to have tough skin with a soft heart. I wrote down his advice.

Jennifer Crowell Ferch

Proof is in the Pudding

When we ask forgiveness without change, we commit further harm. Teresa was an angry parent.

Selling You
Fred Crowell

Master the Skill of Selling You

Being the best you, is your best guarantee to success. Far too many people in business don’t realize the vast majority of business is based on relationships.

Fred Crowell

The Inside Story

Fred Rogers, the famous child inspirational television star, said, “There is an inside story for every outside behavior.” If every teacher, coach, and, most importantly, parents will understand every behavior a child exhibits has an inside story.

empathy1
Fred Crowell

Walking in Another’s Shoes

Often we say, “I know exactly how you feel!” But do we really? It takes much connecting with another person before really understanding him or her. That is what empathy is.

Fred Crowell

Desperate Child Needs

The need to belong and to have something of value to belong to; the need to have success and be recognized for this success; the need to love and be loved.

Words of Hope: a daily devotional by Fred Crowell, book cover

Fred's daily devotional

Words of Hope, one day at a time

A 416-page daily devotional by Fred Crowell: a short reading, a scripture and a moment to reflect for each day. Keep it on the nightstand, or give it to someone who needs hope.

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