As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking of a conversation I had with friends yesterday. We came up with the expression to “SPLURGE or PURGE”. When we find ourselves SPLURGING, we collect more things. It can lead us to be more focused on self. It can take us away from our spiritual journey.

But when we PURGE, we simplify things. When we clean out our houses or storage units, we purge ourselves from attachment to things. When we purge ourselves from unnecessary activities, like watching too much news or useless television, we can find more time to study God’s word and make time to pray. Purging helps us to think about others and remain detached.

Today, I am going to focus on PURGING instead of SPLURGING. I’m going to SIMPLIFY so I can INTENSIFY. I’m going to allow the Holy Spirit to guide me on the path of finding TIME and SPACE for our Lord.

Have a great day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about an old TV series called, “Father Knows Best.” I think this applies to our spiritual life, for the FATHER does know best. He knows what we want, and HE always gives us what we NEED.

Just think about today. THE FATHER has plans for us, He wants us to experience HIS presence, to know HIS love and mercy. HE gives us free will so that we can freely choose. And the question becomes what will we choose? Will we choose to think what is best for us or will we trust that THE FATHER KNOWS BEST?

Today, I am going to strive to let the FATHER direct my day, my thoughts, and my actions. I am going to trust that the FATHER knows best. When I live in HIS presence and trust in HIS ways, my life becomes complete. And HE shows me the WAY.

Today, trust that the FATHER KNOWS BEST and relax! And have a great day.

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I have decided to make this “LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE DAY!” When you begin your day with Jesus and invite HIM to be a part of it, your light SHINES. Then it becomes your responsibility to let that light SHINE to our world.

We can do this in so many ways. We can put a smile on our faces and bring joy to a troubled world. We can call friends and check on them. We can take time to pray for others. We can discuss Jesus with our children. We can make some goodies and deliver them to somebody who may be alone. We can clean out our closets and give to the poor. We can take some time of silence and be grateful for all that God has done in our lives. That’s what it means to LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE.

So, today is “LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE DAY!” Bring the LIGHT of Christ to others and may the joy you experience draw you closer to HIM.

Have a great day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about ELECTRICITY. Yesterday, we were without electricity for a few hours. It’s amazing what you can’t do without electricity…no TV, no AC, no Wi-Fi, no appliances. A couple neighbors and I sat out on the front porch and just talked. We connected and found that Human Connection is even better than the Internet!

It is the same way with Jesus. Unless we connect with HIM, nothing really works. Now is a great time to make time for JESUS. After all, the toaster looks good, but unless you plug it in and turn it on, you don’t get toast. To connect with Jesus, we have to make time for him.

Today, whether you’re going to complete some things on your To Do list, or visit with a friend, or get caught up on work, stay connected to Jesus. Invite HIM into your day and stay plugged in. It’s all about the connection!

Have a blessed day staying connected, plugged in, energized, and in the Lord!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking of the word INSPIRATIONAL. Throughout our lives, there have been many people who have inspired us, people who taught us about life, taught us how to be positive and how to make a difference. It’s good for us to remember those people; they remind us how important it is to have a relationship with the Lord.

So, look back into your history at those people who INSPIRED you, who saw the GOOD IN YOU, and who helped you succeed. Who are the people who gave you hope and who help lead you on the right path? If possible, call them or drop them a note, and remind them how much they mean to you. Pray for them today, whether living or passed on. Thank the Lord for the gifts they shared with you and realize that we are called to share those gifts with others. Our world needs people to inspire and not tear down, to bring hope and not despair. As Christians, we are called to this role.

Today, thank God for the people who brought inspiration to your life. Pay it forward, be an inspiration, bring a positive outlook into our world. Stop complaining and start INSPIRING.

Have an inspirational day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was reflecting on a quote that someone posted yesterday. It said, “Every miracle in the Bible first started out as a problem.” That is really GOOD NEWS! Think about any problem you have going on right now and know that it’s the making of a miracle.

I’ll bet if we went back and looked at our lives with its many problems, we would see many MIRACLES; prayers that were answered, problems that were solved, ways in which God’s hand was at work. All we have to do is TRUST that God is using the problems we are facing to perform miracles. If HE can take water and turn it into wine, choice wine, if HE can take Lazarus and RAISE him from the dead, then HE can turn our problems INTO miracles!

Today, I put my trust in Jesus. Today, I name and give Him the problems I face, and I see a potential MIRACLE. In fact, yesterday, I witnessed three of those miracles. From now on, I want to see every problem as a miracle IN THE MAKING!

Have a miraculous day!

Radical Relationships: Radical Forgiveness and True Presence

Welcome to our final session of Radical Relationships on Reflections with Craig! Over these nine sessions, we have looked at how to build, nurture, and sustain the bonds that matter most. Today, we are wrapping up with the ultimate cornerstone: radical forgiveness and showing up with true presence.

Old relationships often carry old wounds, but holding onto bitterness only changes your own energy and creates heavy burdens. As Colossians reminds us, we are called to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. Forgiveness doesn’t mean the hurt never existed—it simply means evicting that pain from taking up space in your heart and restoring your personal freedom.

Shifting Roles & Building Legacy:

• Evolve with Your Adult Children: As our children grow up, our role shifts from provider and authority figure to being an advisor, a support system, and a loving presence. Stop treating your adult children like they are 12 years old! (And yes—it’s okay to let them pick up the check at dinner!)
• Be Present, Not Perfect: Our families don’t need perfect parents or grandparents; they just need us to be truly present. Get down on the floor to play with your grandkids, listen to their stories, and leave your judgments at the door so they actually want to be around you.
• Put the Phone Down & Get Creative: When family gets together, put the screen away and create fun reasons to connect. Set up a simple game, send a surprise pizza to a grandchild studying away at college via Uber Eats, or write an unexpected handwritten note to your adult child just to say, “I’m so blessed you’re my kid.”

Be Devoted to One Another in Love

Building a legacy isn’t about scorekeeping; it’s about making honest, gentle, consistent efforts to show love. Be the mature one who makes the call, sends the note, and reaches out first.

Thank you so much for joining me for all nine sessions of this series! Which takeaway from this series are you going to put into practice today?

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was reflecting on the VOICES we hear. I remember growing up watching cartoons, and occasionally there would be a character with a little devil on one side and a little angel on the other, and the character would hear both voices. Today, we hear many voices. We hear voices when we watch the news, we hear voices through social media, we hear voices in our heads, but the only voice we should strive to hear is GOD’S.

Each day, we need to be STILL and LISTEN for the voice of God. Scriptures tell us that He speaks to us in a whisper, in silence, in the heart, and it is important to take a moment to breathe deeply, clear the mind, and LISTEN for HIS voice. Only when we hear HIS voice do we experience a PEACE that is like no other.

Today, as I begin my day, I will take time to be still, to be quiet, and to listen to HIS voice, which speaks to me from the beginning, and continues to draw my soul to HIM! HE says in Psalms 46, “Be still and know that I am GOD!” Be aware of the many voices that will strive to get your attention, today, but LISTEN to HIS voice!

Have a blessed day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was reflecting on the word CELEBRATE. Even when, as a community, we are going through so much, disease, violence, riots, politics…things which wreak FEAR, I choose to think about the word CELEBRATE.

It’s important for us to CELEBRATE, first and foremost, our faith in CHRIST. HE is the light that will bring us through the darkness. We can celebrate this morning, a new day with all kinds of opportunities. We celebrate relationships; in gratitude, we thank God for the people in our lives. We celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, a new school year. Instead of looking for all the things we can complain about, we need to celebrate all the BLESSINGS we have.

Today, let’s celebrate the men and women who put their lives on the front lines, the police, sheriff, Highway Patrol, those in the armed services, those fighting fires, and those who teach our children, striving to learn new ways to reach them. When we CELEBRATE, we REMEMBER, and when we REMEMBER, we UNDERSTAND, and when we understand IN GRATITUDE, we CELEBRATE!

Have a blessed day, and remember, there is so much to CELEBRATE.

In this inspiring presentation, Reflections guest speaker Craig Harrison explores how science and faith converge to transform our thinking through neuroplasticity and spiritual renewal. Drawing from Romans 12:2, cognitive behavioral therapy, and personal stories of resilience, he highlights how gratitude, prayer, and daily mental habits break negative loops and foster true peace.