5 Ways to Keep Integrity on Social Media
Is integrity possible on social media?
I absolutely get the whole First Amendment right to express our thoughts and opinion. And everyone seems to voice opinions these days.
Whether we’re putting our best foot forward for a career or looking to engage with friends. Or maybe we value true integrity and character in the midst of a culture that’s gone half mad.
Social media stands as one of the best platforms to showcase who we are.
Integrity and Jesus
But for Christ-followers, shouldn’t we make every effort to conduct our lives based on the example of Jesus?
Everything? Every heart motive—the deepest nook and cranny. And every jot and tittle of our written words.
“A jot is the name of the least letter of an alphabet or the smallest part of a piece of writing. A tittle, rather appropriately for a word which sounds like a combination of tiny and little, is smaller still. It refers to a small stroke or point in writing or printing.” (More origin at the Phrase Finder.)
And the Bible mentions the phrase.
March 1, 2018 at 9:00 am | Uncategorized
Quotes on Heaven: My Favorite from Billy Graham and God
“The moment we take our last breath on earth, we take our first in heaven.” ~ Billy Graham
Truer words have never been spoken from a man—and now about him.
A man who made truth and God his life’s passion. The godly evangelist who spent his 99 years on this earth about his Father’s business…the business of eternity.
When the world learned of the Reverend Billy Graham’s death, the news and newsfeed (social media) blew up with his spiritual legacy.
But before we look at more quotes and my favorite from Reverend Graham, reflect on these powerful words from others.
Inspirational Quotes on Heaven
“I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now…Come further up, come further in!” ~ C.S. Lewis
February 22, 2018 at 10:15 am | Uncategorized
Waiting for Hope to Show up and Show up Big
Peeking through the curtain, I scanned the audience and hoped my entire family would show up.
I’d landed my first high-school role in the broadway musical, South Pacific. Thankfully, my character as the island girl, Liat, called for more speaking parts than singing—not my strong suit.
With sweaty palms and a rush of adrenaline, I checked the seats again.
And if my people show up, would I make them proud when I took my final bow?
From side stage during the first scene, my gaze spotted them through the blinding light. All my loved ones occupied the entire third row. They’re here, now break a leg.
Show up for Front-row Seats
I found my groove and remembered my few lines with no blunders. But my glory days as an actress ended soon after.
History also recounts a glory day when hope showed up…big.
Over 2000 years ago, God set the stage for a story of hope to unfold.
February 15, 2018 at 9:00 am | Uncategorized
The Only Satisfaction 100% Guaranteed
“We guarantee complete satisfaction.”
I always thought I knew what brought satisfaction in life. More money and resources to accomplish a dream. Like-minded people on my team. A near-perfect marriage and kids.
And a career I enjoyed on any day. Also, for the good parts of life to outweigh the bad—really tip the scale.
Satisfaction 100% Guaranteed?
Here’s the truth. I was wrong on every account. When a wish came true, I only moved on to the next one.
But nothing stayed around for long. None of the ways I tried to conquer my felt-based needs brought long-lasting satisfaction. No so-called guarantees kept up their end of the bargain.
Still, what ushers in a well-spring of satisfaction deep in my soul? What in the world feeds the human soul’s hunger and quenches our spirit’s thirst?
I discovered nothing in the world satisfies long-term. Oh, the god of this world, Satan, promises to satisfy us with many enticing offers. So, let’s look at…
4 False Hopes of Satisfaction
February 8, 2018 at 9:00 am | Uncategorized
Top 10 Countdown of Reasons to Choose Team Jesus
We live in a time of ample opportunity for choosing a team to represent. Sports and reality shows afford us a team choice.
But life also boils down to teams on spiritual matters.
Yet, we hold the decision to pick the world’s team or God’s team, to stay loyal to Jesus or other gods.
Choose Team Jesus
10) Jesus wrote the playbook. In Christ dwells truth and knowledge of all things.
This makes Jesus best suited to call all the plays in my life. “For in him we live and move and have our being” Acts 17:28 a, ESV.
Aligning my every move with #Jesus becomes a game changer. #teamJesus Share on X9) Jesus embodies perfection. Whether in sports, music, talents, or career, the old adage says, “Practice makes perfect.” But practice never made anyone perfect, only better. The bottom line?
Nobody bats a thousand except Jesus. His ways and Word are perfect (see Psalm 18:30).
February 1, 2018 at 10:39 am | Uncategorized
Jesus Unedited in an Over Edited World
Look around. It’s happening right before our eyes. Listen up. It’s within earshot. Jesus is edited out of nearly every nook and cranny of our world.
Deemed bold, opinionated, and creative in many aspects of life, I gladly wear the labels for my passions. Speaking events give me opportunities to talk about Jesus. And writing in the non-fiction Christian genre, I pen the name of Christ on the page and screen.
Sometimes the creative juices flow, letting the words spill out as I type and take dictation from God and my soul. However, a great writer must also become a student of another class, Editing 101.
Edit. Revise. Cut. Delete. Modify.
Yet, I find it difficult to let go of words I want to keep. Learning when and how much to hit the delete button. Knowing which sentences to rephrase, and what paragraphs to move and where to place them. And deciphering how to arrange everything in a succinct way—reminiscent of rocket science. Seriously, I believe it’s a spot-on analogy.
January 25, 2018 at 9:28 am | Uncategorized
Loving Jesus: No Bells and Whistles
Can we fall in love with Jesus—no bells and whistles?
I love you.
When we say it to anyone, there’s no bells and whistles in the phrase per se.
Yet if we read between the lines through our personal lens about love, we often hear ringing and shrieking.
Sure, computers, electronic gadgets, appliances, and new cars glisten with added enhancements.
Retailers have the bells and whistles to match our wishes and wallets.
But when it comes to love…
Love plus fancy features doesn’t mean more love, but less of #love in its purest form. #Jesus Share on XWho Needs Bells and Whistles?
I was grown with children of my own the first time my biological father said, “I love you.” The telephone conversation is forever etched in my memory.
January 18, 2018 at 10:17 am | Uncategorized
12 Scriptures to Personalize with Names and Pray
Try this at home. Here’s one feat I encourage every believer to attempt. Insert your name and the names of loved ones into Scripture.
Then pray the words back to God and see what happens.
Recently, I recognized the seventh anniversary of my father leaving this earth in a social media post. In the write-up, I mentioned the years my dad spent as an atheist.
When I met Christ at sixteen, I started praying for my dad. Prayers for him to believe in the heavenly Father.
And God answered my prayers sixteen years later when my dad gave his life to the Lord.
Inserting Names into Bible Verses
But in the middle of the long process, my faith often waned. I struggled to believe my dad would ever become a Christ-follower.
Needing help with my own unbelief, I began to insert my dad’s name into Scripture. Then I prayed it out loud and back to God. While I may not know for sure, I think it played a part in my dad’s salvation.
Yet, I know this.
There’s power in #prayer. And we move mountains in the #spiritual world with the truth of God’s Word. Share on XAlso, this practice acquaints us with Scripture and aids in its memorization.
Names of Loved Ones and Yours
January 11, 2018 at 9:00 am | Uncategorized
Something New or Same Old Song and Dance for 2018?
A new calendar year began just days ago. Hello, 2018. Welcome! But will it be new or the same old song and dance?
Birthed in the music industry, “Same Old Song and Dance” is an actual song. And the phrase became known to portray how music lovers want to hear fresh songs. Yes, we may love our oldies, but everyone needs new.
My grandson, Foster, loves to sing and dance. Mind you, his singing only includes words here and there, and mostly consists of sounds mimicking the tune.
When the year begins, I have friends who pick one word to focus on for the entire year. Also, I know others who choose a Bible verse as a focal Scripture from January to December. I do neither.
However, on Monday this week, I repeatedly used the phrase, “Happy New Year!” Then the Lord spoke to me about that second word. So I’m choosing to let the go of the old along with 2017, and usher in its opposite.
Choosing New
We may set wonderful goals and resolutions. And those are fine. But, we often try to control the real success or benchmarks of our intentions.
Still further, we strive to manipulate the outcome of our circumstances and perhaps the people in our lives. Even our Christian walk and full obedience to God may become things to control.
You see, in the midst of not meeting our goals or not keeping our resolutions, we revert to old habits.
January 4, 2018 at 9:00 am | Uncategorized
Rescued Misfits and Life After Christmas
The hoopla of Christmas is over.
A celebration’s end often leaves us falling off the edge of a holiday high.
Do you know the feeling? Days spent in hustle and bustle. Gifts chosen and wrapped. Food prepared and devoured. Decorations glittered and dazzled.
Like a cup of tea, family gatherings filled us to the brim with glee.
But the celebrating, the hope-infused wishes, and the giving don’t have to go away. The true meaning of the Christmas story continues on to eternity.
I love stories—heart-felt stories, Christmas stories, both make-believe and real. Storylines stirring our long-awaited dreams.
So I’m a fan of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Because in the core message we find rescued misfits.
The book and movie’s storyline melts the heart of every boy and girl. Still further, adults escape the real world of heartache for moments of happy endings and “hoorays!”
Misfits Wanted, Therefore Chosen
Rudolph’s the poster-child for reindeer misfits.
December 28, 2017 at 9:00 am | Uncategorized