We all want to hear good things about ourselves. Your hair looks nice. Your shirt is amazing. I love the way you decorated your home. This food tastes wonderful. Compliments are great and often we do not receive enough of this positive encouragement. Flattery is different than compliments. Flattery is insincere, typically given to someone … Continue reading Flatter Me
Tag: Truth
Do Not Be Conformed
In Romans 12:2, we read: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God” (CSB). This word “conformed” means that you identify with or that you look similar to something because you follow … Continue reading Do Not Be Conformed
Beauty in Each Day
The tagline for my website says, “Intentionally living life looking for ‘a lot of beauty in ordinary things.’” If you have watched The Office, you would be familiar with this phrase: “a lot of beauty in ordinary things.” The last line of the show, my favorite show, you hear the character Pam Halpert say, “There's … Continue reading Beauty in Each Day
Life-Giving Truths
We read in Deuteronomy 30 that we have a choice between life and death. We read, “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in His ways, … Continue reading Life-Giving Truths
Engaged and Attentive
I had three years of class in the Spanish language. There was a time when I was able to hold down a conversation in Spanish. However, today if we would have a conversation in Spanish, I would only grasp some words here or there. I don’t think being able to say “door” and “window” will … Continue reading Engaged and Attentive
Becoming the Enemy
In Galatians 4:16, Paul poses the question: “Have I really become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (TPT). What a question!?! One of the biggest qualities I know I want in a friend is truthfulness. Think of it this way — if someone lies to you, if someone deceives you, is the friendship … Continue reading Becoming the Enemy
Confrontation
One of the hardest things for me is confrontation. I would say as a leader it was what I struggled with most. It is difficult to stand up to someone, to go face-to-face with someone and mention something that you take issue with, and for me, I always would get this nervous feeling in my … Continue reading Confrontation
Imposters
Today’s verse speaks about imposters who take advantage of people. This warning we read in 2 Corinthians 11:20 is clear. There are people who claim to be Christians but who are not living as Christ intended. They take advantage. They live for the spotlight. They like to be in charge. As they try to live … Continue reading Imposters
Corrupted Thoughts
It is important to keep a watchful eye on our thoughts. Philippians 4:8 advises us where to focus. It is too easy to be deceived and led astray and too easy to lose focus. This battle is 24/7. What we let in us — what we eat, what we drink, what we think, what we … Continue reading Corrupted Thoughts
The Lord’s Commendation
Paul said, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (2 Corinthians 10:17). It’s too easy to fall into the bad habit of bragging. We want the approval of others, right? We want people to like us. Even when we say we aren’t in this world to make friends or when we say we … Continue reading The Lord’s Commendation
Tania Gutekunst 