Thermostat or thermometer
I once heard a person say that we should be "thermostat Christians,” not “thermometer Christians.” I was puzzled, so they explained. A thermometer Christian is one whose... »
Articles
The puppies
At 3:00 a.m., I was outside under a clear starry sky, bundled up and carrying a flashlight and two plastic bags. Tagging at my heels were two eight-week-old German shephe... »
The other side of the desk
I was submitting some legal paperwork, and to my dismay there were several discrepancies in my documents. Something that at first appeared easy to rectify instead took se... »
The greater victory
Much is made these days about learning from failure and defeat. Setbacks are good because they make us reflect on our life and what we need to change, and they drive us t... »
Clear shining
There are moments when the earth's beauty parallels the glories of heaven, when you look at your surroundings with awe and know there is a God who loves and cares about y... »
Visions of heaven
It all started when my brother called me early in the morning to tell me that my mother had been rushed to the hospital in a sudden emergency. Later, he called to tell me... »
The vanished keys
One morning not long ago, it all went wrong. We had a full day scheduled from dawn to dusk. First on the list, help our neighbor put up a canopy. I was up early and alrea... »
Overflowing joy
“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”—John 15:11[[NLT]] Fear not when the problems and challenges you face a... »
Kids and parents: A journey
When browsing a previous issue of Activated, I came across the following quote by Dr. Bob Pedrick: “In the parable that Jesus told about the prodigal son,[[See Luke 15:11... »
The ties that bind
When two of my grown children recently had their own first babies, it confirmed something I’d known for years: Parenthood brings out the best in people. New parents feel... »
Ten keys to successful parenting
The secret to raising happy, well-behaved, and well-adjusted children is actually quite simple—love. It’s knowing how to apply that love that isn’t always so straightforw... »
A parent’s best investment
Your children will never forget the special times they spend with you. Just like the rest of us, children thrive on personal attention, and if they don’t get it, they fee... »