Four Things to Do When You're Feeling Down

Good friend Chris Lindberg with some words of wiseness on the LF Blog...
Feelings are fickle aren’t they? They are constantly bombarding us with highs and lows, discouragement, worry, or even depression. Most people are dominated and controlled to how they are feeling on a particular day. How they feel, is how they will act and respond to situations. But the fact is, we have the power through Christ to overcome those feelings and move forward in life. Here’s how:

Merry Mobile Christmas!

Yep, TZX is going mobile folks! You can now access www.tzxfraternity.org from your mobile phone or iPod-type device with mobile formatting! While the mobile version doesn't show all of the fun gadgets on the full website, it has a streamlined view of all the latest posts. Save it as a bookmark, drop the icon on your home screen...more handy options for taking us with you!

That said, Merry Mobile Christmas everyone! Our family is excited to be with family through Christmas and New Year's. Sunday we head for the Great White North through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and Manitoba. It's neat how the van actually navigates the trip on its own now.

This past Sunday morning, I had the opportunity to share from Luke 2:8-20 with our home church in Tomahawk, WI, the Northwoods Vineyard. "Christmas, Worship and the Presence of Jesus." The recording turned out very well thanks to Mike and Ryan on the A/V computer that morning. If anyone wants an mp3, just shoot me an email through my Facebook or website profile. I'll reply with a large audio attachment.

Roses for Jesus

I went to the Copps grocery store on Division Street in Stevens Point and purchased a rose, for God, as a promise that I would remain both passionate and pure.There was a tinge of nervousness going through the checkout lane. "Good thing no one will ever know about this."

Kids Change Everything

I was mildly overwhelmed. The tension can be a bit thick around the house with an almost-18-year-old chomping at the bit for more and more freedom. But when he pulled up to the hospital curb and threw his personals behind the passenger seat, it was nothing but good. We shot the breeze for a few blocks, and then the step-dad song happened to broadcast on WDEZ. You know, Brad Paisley's He Didn't Have to Be.

Home for the Holidays?

But then Christmas, ah Christmas...wonderful on so many levels. When you've checked you're mailbox three times a day for four months, being home is off the charts! All of the food and hugs and warmth. I hope Colleen and I can provide something close to that when our kids come home.

What to Make of Social Justice

Social justice. It's a loaded term that should pull some sort of response from each of us. Is that a not-so-subtle guilt trip I'm laying? I guess it is. There are hundreds of ways to care, but zero exceptions to the fact that we should.

Finding the Meaning of Life in the Austrian Alps

Then there I was, sitting alone on the shaded back step of the youth hostel chalet, Bible in my lap, gazing across the mountain meadow and continuing my weeks-long search for a Bible verse that would give complete meaning to my life. Finally, in that distant, elevated place, it landed.

The Driveway Moment

The car is packed to the roof and window to window. Your child is ready to leave, that is, to leave home for good. Oh, they'll be back in one way or another, but childhood is over. When the car backs out of the driveway and disappears into the traffic in just a moment, childhood will be over.