Be Generous (Mark 12:41-44)

If there’s a litmus test of one’s true benevolence and spirituality, it’s how money is handled and/or mishandled.

The Widow’s Mite by James Christensen Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you; this poor widow has put more into the…

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You Deserve Nothing

So often, I have clients telling me they believe they deserve certain things in their life now. Although I am very sympathetic when I hear this and understand where they are coming from, I also know that the dynamics of life don’t work that way. Thinking like that only sets us up for more frustration and anger when those things don’t materialize. There is a better mindset that fosters a very…

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Parents: Forget the Candy and Buy Books instead for after Valentine's Day!

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Beyond the Superficial: Finding Lasting Purpose Within

The Quest for Meaning: Unveiling the Essence Within In the grand narrative of human existence, the quest for meaning stands as one of the most enduring and profound pursuits. This search for significance, purpose, and understanding in our lives is a journey that each individual embarks upon, a path laden with questions, doubts, and revelations. It’s a pursuit that philosophers, poets, and…

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Ecclesiastes 2:17 Missing The Purpose

Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:17 Everyday millions of people get up each morning to go to work. They work all day, go back home, eat a meal, do a few things around the home and then go to bed. Then they get up and do the same thing again the very next day, day after day, year…

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Parenting Education in the World

Parenting Education in the World

Education is a vital aspect of a child’s development, and parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s educational journey. Here are a few key points to consider: Educația este un aspect vital al dezvoltării unui copil, iar părinții joacă un rol crucial în modelarea călătoriei educaționale a copiilor lor. Iată câteva puncte cheie de luat în considerare: ACADEMIC EDUCATION / EDUCAȚIA…

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Two Fathers, Two Kingdoms: Understanding Spiritual Identity in a Divided World

Everyone we meet has two fathers. Everyone.[1] They have a biological father and a spiritual father. Biblically, their spiritual father is either God or Satan. The Pharisees incorrectly thought they were children of God, and said to Jesus, “The only Father we have is God himself” (John 8:41). Here’s an example were perception was not equal to reality. Jesus refuted them, saying, “You are from…

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23-22. Seen, Heard and Respected

Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy, on air from May 30th Are you seen heard and respected? and are you receiving what your worth in life, and finances? Are you being valued for your contribution? Do you feel worthy of yourself? We all want to be seen, heard, respected for who we are and what we contribute in life; but it is NOT up to others to place that value on us, but for us to do it for…

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Our Words Matter

Our words matter, but does the word, floccinaucinihilipilification, one of the longest words in the dictionary, really matter? I can’t say that I’ll ever use it in a talk, but it sure did bring me inspiration for today’s blog. It came up randomly in a pop-up advertisement and intrigued me enough to look up its origin. Back in the 18th Century, Eton College had a grammar book which listed a set…

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Should I Be More Divisive? (5/5)

I'd rather not be divisive.

A Life Well-Lived Quite likely, even if I do try to be unpolitical, someone could dredge up old posts that look very MAGA-Right-Wing-Proud-Boys-esque (proud American flags, knife-throwing, anti-abortion/pro-life, small government, the usual) and accuse me of being hypocritical. Sure. Go ahead and accuse. But I have spent a great deal of thought before posting anything political.I learned from…

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What Do You Value? (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)

Is what you are pursuing today really going to matter in 50 billion millennia?

The Sermon on the Mount, by Beryl Lewis (1939-2021) “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their…

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A Challenging Game

The Hard Game of Life Life is a challenging game, sometimes. No matter what you do or how you try to find the gentler side of life, the easier the hard times seem to seek you out. When I look at people in their late teens and early twenties today, I have a hard time not telling them to be careful. There are some dark times in every life. Don’t worry too much, though, because they will bring you a…

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Dragons, Dragons and More Dragons for Christmas! Get your children reading on the Jemsbooks Express today!

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A Special Day: The Day Eid Met Christmas by Mahmoud Elzein

A Special Day: The Day Eid Met Christmas by Mahmoud Elzein

A Special Day: The Day Eid Met Christmas by Mahmoud Elzein (Author), Rania Hasan (Illustrator) Do you believe in magic, the magic of kindness? One special year, Christmas and Eid fell on the same day. And on that special day, two girls, Eva and Aya, discovered a magical friendship through the spirit of giving. Their generous acts of kindness inspire children to think of others regardless of…

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A Flintstone Family Christmas (Preview Clip)

A Flintstone Family Christmas (Preview Clip)

A Flintstone Family Christmas (Preview Clip) Part of ‘ A Flintstone Christmas Collection’ : http://bit.ly/2patFNv _____________________________________________ Celebrate the solstice in Stone Age style with these two animated holiday classics, starring America’s favorite pre-historic family. Your first course of holiday cheer from Fred and co. is 1977’s A Flintstone Christmas, in which Fred and…

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Underlying Values... Planned and Accidental

Underlying Values… Planned and Accidental

I think it’s fair to say that woven into each Jaspa’s Journey story are at least one or two (non-preachy) life lessons for young readers. Some of these are obvious and were intentional. For example, the wrongness of prejudice is a recuring theme. As is the unfairness of bullying. But others were totally unplanned. For example, an early review of The Great Migration concluded that it included ‘a…

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