Do you ever feel let down in your daily experience as a Christian, like your faith isn’t as satisfying as you had hoped? You’re not alone. Pastor and bestselling author Gary Thomas says this often comes from believing lies we don’t even realize we’ve embraced.
So today on the 4:13, Gary unpacks the subtle deceptions that quietly shape our expectations, steal our joy, and keep us from the abundant life God promises.
Our culture has come unhinged from so many timeless values that what was once considered normal and healthy for your home is now countercultural. Habits like eating a meal together, praying as a family, and living a slower-paced life are no longer the norm.
So, in this demanding and chaotic world, how do we foster peace, simplicity, and stability for our families?
When my oldest son, Clayton, was in high school, I found him lying on his floor instead of finishing a big English project.
“What’s going on?” I asked in disbelief. “What about your portfolio? Are you already done?”
He responded with a groan.
If you came into my bedroom and opened my closet door, the first things you would see (if you ignored the dirty clothes on the floor) would be the red Coach bag my sister-in-law gave me for my fortieth birthday alongside the backpack my friend, Karen, brought me from her trip to Paris. I love these bags – they are the nicest ones I own since I usually buy cheapies! (I can’t spend too much on a bag because I buy way too many — they always fit!)
Not only are they lovely bags, they mean a lot to me because of who gave them to me. Every time I open the door of the closet, my treasured bags are right there.
I open a new bottle of shower gel this morning and squeeze some in my hand and immediately I am carried away to another time and place. I am back in North Florida at my grandmother’s home on a warm summer morning. It was Dove soap that gave me wings for time travel.
Just the fragrance of that soap brought back a ton of happy memories of my Saraberg. That was what we called her. She was my mom’s mother and she went to heaven several years ago. I miss her. She always had a brand new bar of Dove soap in her shower when I visited and the fresh clean scent reminds me of her.
Has that ever happened to you – where you instantly time travel to another time and another place? It’s fascinating when that happens, isn’t it?
Today is the final day of my nerdy birthday bash! It’s hard to see it go, but today I have a special guest on my blog. You will love him – I sure do! He doesn’t write on my blog often, but his name is mentioned very often. Without further ado, please welcome my husband – Dr. Phil! Take it away Phil!
