As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about the word PATIENCE. The definition of PATIENCE is the capacity to accept trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset. It’s not easy to be PATIENT with one another. I often pray that God gives me PATIENCE when things don’t go exactly as I planned, when I get “sacred interruptions.” These are interruptions that I don’t plan but that God puts in front of me just to see how I will do.

In Romans 12:12 it says, “Rejoice in HOPE, be PATIENT in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” And Ephesians 4:2 says, “With all humility and gentleness, with PATIENCE, bearing with one another in love.” As Christians, to practice the art of PATIENCE is a great goal for us. Whether we are in line waiting for something, or frustrated that things are not running smoothly, or are unable to find understanding from others, in PRAYER, we can practice the art of PATIENCE.

Today, I am going to not only be patient with others but with myself. Try it, and have a blessed day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was reflecting on a book I reread this week, called “The Wounded Healer” by Henri Nouwen. It made me think about all of the woundedness in this world, of all the broken lives. I think of my own life, and how I have experienced such darkness and brokenness.

To be broken may be painful, but I know I was not alone. Jesus was close to me through it all. I believe it was part of the bigger plan. Jesus allows us to go through difficult things so that we can be dependent on the FATHER. When we go through tough times, or are attacked, or feel abandoned, we have to put our TRUST in HIM.

Today, I pray that my wounds may help others heal, and that together, our wounds will make up the body of Christ.

Have a blessed day.

Radical Acceptance: Unconditional Love and Softening the Story

Welcome to our final session of Conversations with Craig on radical acceptance. Today, my faithful associate Francesco is right here with me—and dogs are such a beautiful reminder of what unconditional love truly looks like. God calls us to that same standard: to unconditionally love, forgive, and move forward.

Finishing the Journey:

• Softening the Stories: We have to soften the harsh narratives we tell ourselves about how bad things are. The truth is, I don’t know a single person who had a perfect childhood.
• Taking Accountability: True peace comes when we stop blaming the past, take accountability for our own lives, and choose to actively enjoy the life God gave us. That requires a daily decision to let go of anger and resentment.
• Trusting God’s Timing: I’ve had to accept that I cannot speed up what God is doing. He is working in everyone’s life at His own pace. We are all just passing through and learning lessons along the way.

Living in Complete Freedom

What lessons did you learn from your mom, your dad, or your siblings? It is embracing those lessons—rather than hiding from them—that ultimately heals us. Who wants to live with the constant anxiety and stress of worrying about who you might run into at a party?

I am inviting you to step into a life of reflection, letting go, and pure joy.

Thank you for walking through these 10 sessions with me. Are you ready to let go and live in freedom?

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about how important it is to have a positive attitude in PRAYER. Sometimes PRAYER can be rather routine, like marking something off of the To-Do list. But sometimes PRAYER can be deep and contemplative.

What I have come to realize is that it is my attitude that is what is important. When I pray, I am bringing myself present to the Lord and allow my SOUL to reach out to touch MY CREATOR. When I have a POSITIVE attitude, my PRAYER is that much more powerful. I find myself full of gratitude and blessings. The problems have not gone away. There is still a long list of things to do, but, for that moment, I allow my soul to touch HIM. With open arms, HE embraces me and lets me know that everything is going to be OK; actually, not just OK, but WONDERFUL.

Today, take a moment to PRAY! PRAY with thanksgiving and praise. PRAY with confidence and trust. And then let me know what happens, because there’s nothing like hearing someone share their story of meeting God face-to-face.

Have a blessed day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus (with my new mug!), I am thinking about the need to REACH OUT. Sometimes in our daily walk, our energy is low. We might be fighting depression or we just feel overwhelmed with problems. That is when we should hear the words from our Lord, “REACH OUT!”

In times like that, we need to go outside ourselves and reach out to others. Call a friend, visit someone who is sick, write a card to somebody who is in the hospital, make sandwiches for the homeless; do something to get out of self. REACH OUT!

And while you are reaching out, REACH OUT to the Lord. Ask HIM to bring light into your life and into your heart. Ask HIM to inspire you so that you can inspire others. Ask HIM to lift you out of darkness into his loving embrace.

REACH OUT, and have a blessed day.

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was reflecting on INNER STILLNESS. Several years ago, I went through a personal crisis. During that time, I was paralyzed, overwhelmed by circumstances, filled with intense anxiety and helplessness. Even thinking about it now brings tension into my body. Inside my heart, I could hear only a whisper, “Be still and know that I AM GOD.” Something greater than me and my circumstances was holding me together.

Even today, I seek that stillness, that moment where I can find the truth that God is WITH me. Don’t get me wrong…it’s been a long journey, but the voice gets louder, and as I become more still, the only thing I hear are the words, “Be still, and know that I am God”.

Today, as I begin my day, I take a moment to be STILL and listen to that voice that speaks from my inner soul. I continue to forgive, and I know that will bring me to the peace that only comes from HIM! Find that Stillness and you will find HIS PEACE!

Have a blessed day. And remember these words, “Be still and know that I am God.”

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about the word PERSPECTIVE. No matter how wonderful life seems to be going, if our spirit is crushed, it’s almost impossible for us to experience joy! But when our PERSPECTIVE is Heaven, we can endure almost anything!

Fifty years from now, most of us will be long gone and everything we went through on this earth will have no more meaning. The only thing that will matter is eternal life. The Scriptures tell us in Romans 8:18, “I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Everything we go through, everything that God allows us to experience, is preparing us for eternal life in HIS presence!

So today, realize all of the suffering, pain, and loss is nothing compared to the promise of eternal life, where there will be no more suffering, tears, or pain. Keep things in PERSPECTIVE, and know that today is going to be an amazing day, one day closer to being with the KING of KINGS.

Have a blessed day!

Radical Acceptance: Letting Go of Expectations

Welcome back to session nine of Conversations with Craig. We are continuing our look at how we reconcile with family, move past alienation, and follow Christ toward healing.

I’ve learned that a major part of this process is an internal shift: sometimes we have to let go of expectations of how life should be in order to experience how life can be. We want to live in the present moment and experience joy rather than staying trapped by our anger.

The Science of Acknowledging Hurt:

• The Body Keeps Score: I love looking into the connection between our physical ailments and psychological issues. Did you know that psychologist Louise Hay noted that kidney stones can be a physical manifestation of deep, trapped anger?
• Naming the Source: True story—at a time when I had seven kidney stones, I sat down and forced myself to get personal. I literally named seven specific people I was holding anger toward, acknowledged the hurt, and chose to let it go.
• A Journey of Release: There is powerful freedom in acknowledging the who, what, where, and when of your pain, and then consciously choosing to trust God and his word to release it.

When we hold onto hidden resentments, it affects more than just our minds—it can weigh down our entire being.

Are you ready to let go of how a relationship “should” be, so you can find peace today?

Watch Episode 9 now, and let’s keep choosing freedom together.

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I think of the word NEIGHBOR. I am blessed to live in a wonderful neighborhood. I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t see someone doing something kind for someone else. Yesterday, I sat on my porch on a beautiful afternoon and saw a NEIGHBOR across the street take some food to another NEIGHBOR who has been under the weather. I watched some families ride by on their bikes; they stopped to say hello. And there were lots of dog walkers and people are out planting flowers in their gardens, taking time to chat.

It’s important to get to know your NEIGHBORS. So much fear has come into our world that people are afraid to get to know each other. Neighborhoods are really just small communities, but together we can do great things.

So, today I am going to pray for my NEIGHBORHOOD and see what I can do to be a better NEIGHBOR. Today, be a great NEIGHBOR, get to know the people around you, and try to build a community based on peace and love. Jesus would expect nothing less.

Have a blessed day, Neighbor!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about the power of POSITIVE THINKING. It is so easy to look around and complain, to feel that everything is going wrong. But, as Christians, we are called to see God’s hand in everything.

Maybe you’ve spent a lifetime around negative people and have absorbed that disease. Negative thinking empowers the problem. We need to find the balance in our lives and open our eyes to what is good each and every day. We need to bring the POSITIVE message of the GOSPEL. Positive energy heals, brings love, and transforms!

The Scriptures remind us in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Today, make it a POSITIVE day. Fill the morning with positive thoughts. Bring the POSITIVE message of Christ to the world.

Have a blessed day!