I’ve moved posts to Instagram (for a season)!
It’s too much to post on so many channels. So I’m focusing on Instagram for all posts. Meet me there at @jarrodleejones!
Taking Care of Your (Whole) Health in 2022
Did you know that God cares about your whole health, not just your spiritual health? Perhaps because our whole health can impact our spiritual health (and to a degree vice-a-versa). In Exodus 18, Moses hears that his father-in-law is in town: “Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And…
A New Take On This Year’s Resolutions
How are those resolutions going? Anyone out there brave enough to have made a list for 2021? I’ve been checking out blogs, tweets, articles, and posts on resolutions, and it got me thinking about something similar—vows. I think of resolutions as marks we set for ourselves, while vows are promises we make to God. Have…
What To Do While You’re In the Dark
Holidays are tough. While there should be joy in your heart, you find instead an ache, or even agony, in your soul. Ever been there? Me too. What do you do, where do you turn, when you’re in the dark? Seek the presence of God, before you seek the provision of God. Stay with me.…
6 Be’s for a great 2020 (and decade)
The hours are ticking down to a new year and a new decade! Whether 2019 was a good year or bad year, let it go. Mourn or celebrate then bid 2019 adieu. A new year and decade are before you. Here are a few thoughts to launch strong into 2020 and beyond. * Be Creative.…
If You Struggle With Anxiety, You Need This.
I’ve had it all wrong. Many well-meaning motivational speakers, best-selling authors, teachers, and preachers have had it wrong. Let me explain. I live with the threat of clinical depression crushing me at any moment. I pray, meditate on Scripture, experience community, take medication, see a therapist, eat clean, exercise, and do my best to get…
The #1 Way To Stop Beating Yourself Up And Find Peace
When my boys were younger they loved to wrestle. Sometimes in the middle of combat, I’d playfully take their hands saying, “Don’t hit yourself, don’t hit yourself.” They giggled to tears. They soon did the same thing to me! Sounds a lot like life. We “hit ourselves” or beat ourselves up over our deficiencies and…
Why You’re Drained And What To Do About It
A while back I couldn’t figure out why my iPhone battery drained so quickly. Then I discovered I had too many apps running at the same time all the time. It got me thinking… How many “apps” do I have constantly running in my life? What’s especially draining? How about you? A few thoughts… 1)…
4 Weird Tips For The (Future) Marriage You Want
I recently hung out with a group of musicians—two of whom are getting married in the next few months. After enjoying the damage done by Shake Shack, I was asked for advice about how to have a happy and successful marriage. The below immediately came to mind. Thought I’d share with you too. Enjoy. Have…
6 Things You Need To Do Before Posting On Social Media
Plato, at his best: “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” And Solomon, at his: “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” (Proverbs 18:2). Regarding social media, I’ve fallen into the fool camp more often than I’d like to admit.…
Why We Should Keep Talking About Mental Illness
Recently, a few NBA superstars went public about their battles with mental health—namely, Toronto Raptor’s Demar DeRozan, Cleveland Cavalier’s Kevin Love, and Washington Wizard’s Kelly Oubre Jr. Good for them. And good for us. Mental illness continues to carry a stigma. A broken bone is proof of injury, but with mental illness, an x-ray proves…
How to Keep Anxiety From Controlling Your Life
It’s been said that anxiety is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but gets you nowhere. We rock in anxiety over finances, health, family, opportunities, decisions, schedules, marriages, singleness, the future, and on I could go ad nauseum. Even when things are going too well in life we can get anxious…
Why Blushing Is Good For Your Life
Mark Twain once wrote, “Man is the only animal who blushes. Or needs to.” Man is also the only animal who has a conscience. Betray your conscience, experience the blush. Or will you? Regarding the behavior of the Jewish people of his day, the prophet Jeremiah declared, “Are they ashamed of their disgusting actions? Not…
Why You Need To Love To Love
My mom told me years ago, “Jarrod, love people. I believe we were placed on this earth to love and serve people.” I think of her words often. And I think God gave me that kind of heart. Sometimes I want to give that heart back. To love is to risk and get hurt. But…
When Life Feels Ugly
Does your life ever feel messy, chaotic, and ugly? Think of an abstract painting up-close. It looks completely disordered and unpleasant. You shake your head and say, “I don’t get it.” But step back a few feet. Get the whole perspective. And you’ll discover beauty. The point? When it comes to our lives, we’re…