When I was growing up, my family had what was known as “The Swear Jar”. It was a plain glass mason jar. Maybe your family had a “Swear Jar” too. Basically, the jar was a depository for change…quarters to be exact (a lot for a kid in those days). Any family member caught using foul language had to pay up. As I recall, my brothers and I had an allowance of 50 cents per week. One slip-up forfeited the opportunity to purchase several Sweet Tart candies. Interestingly enough, our Swear Jar was...

Silence speaks louder than words and it is a powerful statement. Not every action requires a reaction; not every thought should be expressed. There is a quiet strength in not responding to the enemy’s provocations. In the Bible, we are told to guard our spiritual energy. It is precious. An incredible sense of peace unfolds in silence. No longer do we feel as if we have to “hold it all together”. We release the burden into God’s hands. He is much more capable than mere man. We are told: ...

There’s a lot of attention given to a fitness these days. The media barrages us with messages promising us a youthful image and attitude through continual exercise. Fashion Designers back up this message by promoting clothing which exposes one’s body in, often times, very inappropriate ways. Sadly, the era of dressing with respect for one’s body (in some instances) seems to have gone by the wayside. Celebrities, tend to feed into this mentality (“everyday people” can be guilty of it as well –...