Stop and think about the incredible privilege of prayer for a minute. You have the ability to communicate with God–the author of the world, your Creator–whenever and wherever you want. You don’t have to know a secret code, use any particular phrasing, or go through a priest. You can talk with God anytime. He is ready and willing to … Read More
The Power of Serving: 7 Ways to Change the World
I don’t usually read Forbes magazine, but I can’t keep myself from picking up the yearly edition in which the magazine announces its roll of billionaires. I like to check whether or not I made the list. I know this may surprise you, but I have never seen my name alongside Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. Before I became a … Read More
Why You Should Never Be Ashamed to Seek Counseling
Never be ashamed to seek Christian counseling. Talking to a professional about the things going on in your life can help you process and deal with your emotions in a healthy way. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing so. In fact, there are many benefits. Several years ago, before my son was born, Kelley and I went through … Read More
The Surprising Truth About Sleep — Why You Need A New Perspective
A few years ago, as I (Nelson) was studying Genesis in preparation for a teaching series, God brought something significant to my attention—a truth that became a paradigm-shifting revelation concerning my view of sleep. At first glance, the truth seems simple enough: when God created the world, he created the night before the day (Gen. 1:2–4). The darkness preceded the light. … Read More
Don’t Waste Energy Worrying: How to Fight One Day at a Time
Matthew 6:34 states, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” In this verse, Jesus encourages His followers not to worry about the future. He says, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” In other words, you can fight against stress and frustrations only one day at a time. … Read More
How to Defeat Bitterness with Humility and God’s Strength
During one of the most emotionally difficult periods of my life, I (Nelson) was facing some circumstances that had me completely on the defensive. I felt as if I was being attacked from all sides and wanted nothing more than to give up and run. During that time, God kept bringing this passage to my mind: In my distress I … Read More
Get a Grip: Managing Your Emotional Health
Emotional health isn’t quite as easy to pin down as physical health. There are no numbers to measure just how emotionally fit you are. Psychologists define emotional health as overall psychological well-being. It is a combination of the way you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships, and your ability to manage your feelings and deal with difficulty. People … Read More
The Well of Wellness: How Water Promotes Weight Loss
When there is enough of it, water accomplishes some amazing things in your body. Water gives you energy; regulates digestion by breaking down and flushing waste; helps stabilize blood pressure; clears toxins from your body; reduces the chance of kidney stones; helps maintain your body’s proper acid and alkaline balance; improves focus and mental acuity; and hydrates your skin and … Read More
Thinking About Thinking
Since the quality of your life is so directly tied to the quality of your internal dialogue, you must do all you can to shape that dialogue for your own good. Understanding the power of your thoughts or knowing you need to change is not enough. You have to take specific action. Here are some practical steps you can take … Read More
The New You: Your Thoughts and Your Health
How do you feel today? Are you tired? Are you sick? Maybe you are feeling healthy, happy, and on top of the world. Here is something that may surprise you: how you feel has almost everything to do with how you think you feel. If you wake up in the morning thinking about how tired you are and wishing you … Read More