The Titus 2:4 Project

I’ve always been fascinated by communication: everything from the words we use, the tone of voice, body language, and every other intricate detail involved.   Did you know that even your physical absence communicates some message – whether intended or not.   Yes, the things we do – or don’t do – send a message. One of my daughters-in-law posted something on social media about the Five Love Languages – a fantastic book by Gary Chapman.   My husband and I read this valuable book many years ago and it has had a profound effect on our marriage; so much so that I purchased copies for my children as they grew into adults. Our actions communicate a message to those we love which is our ‘love language’.   Chapman defines five primary styles or ‘languages'. They are: Acts of Service, Gifts, Physical Touch, Words of Affirmation and Quality Time.   (You can go to the website and take a quiz to see what yours is.)   Until you understand that the person you love may or ...

What are you called to do?  Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." To do good works.  God didn't prepare us in advance to complain, gossip, act selfishly, promote negativity or to live in a constant state of drama-induced exasperation.  No!  He prepared us for good works.  And as far as I can tell - every single good work mentioned in the Bible hinges on ONE WORD.  LOVE. According to Romans 12:6 - 8 we all have different gifts.  Some people might use the term 'calling'.  "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.  If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. (7)  If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; (8) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of other, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern...

How many times have you been standing in the kitchen, up to your elbows in dishwater, damp dishtowel draped over one shoulder, and a pile of last night's dinner dishes teetering precariously on the counter beside you, when one of your children strolls in, rather nonchalantly and says, "Whatcha doin'?"  You pause briefly, raise one eyebrow and either a) bite your tongue and smile sweetly, responding, "nothin'...what are you doing?" (This response can be found in the How to be the MOM of the Year manual.) or b) you quip, "Baking a cake! What does it look like I'm doing?"  (thus loathing the sound of your own voice coming out of your mouth.) Sarcasm stinks.  But that's not the lesson I want to share today...we'll talk about that another day.  What I want to address today is the rhetorical questions that people ask.  Often we lovingly refer to them as 'stupid' questions.  I went to Dictionary.com and looked up the word rhe...