It can be hard to accurately express our feelings in words, especially when we’re struggling. It’s the time of year when we hear the words ‘hope’ and ‘joy’ more often. Although we want to enjoy both, many of us face the holidays thinking about loved ones we miss every day—people who are absent due to…
Does the idea of living with perfect peace consistently feel like it’s just beyond your reach? On our own, it is! But with God’s help, it’s not only possible—it’s promised. Isaiah wrote… You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Isaiah 26:3 We’re not promised a perfectly…
It’s the perfect time of the year to SEEK the Lord intentionally, to take Jesus’ words to heart and apply them to our lives… Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:33 (CSB) Every faith journey begins with a heart that responds to…
Do you know why you celebrate Christmas the way you do? With full calendars and long to-do lists, we can start to panic as we wonder how in the world we’ll get everything done. Let’s pause for a moment and ask an important question… Why do I celebrate Christmas? I did a quick Google search about…
Let’s talk about what you and I need to ooze joy… Think about the person with whom you’d most like to spend an afternoon. I’m not sure, but I’m guessing you didn’t choose the grumpiest person you know. Who wants to spend time with a person who is cranky and miserable? I’m not talking about a…
When is the last time you paused to “be still?” The definitions of being “still” are: Based on those definitions, I’m not great! At this time of the year, being “still” can feel impossible. But what if this is the very season when we need it most? God prompted David to write… “Be still, and…
My dad spent his career as a barber, keeping customers looking good with stylish cuts, razor shaves, and occasional facials. He had one customer for whom Jesus’ birth was a barrier to his faith. You see, the man was a gynecologist who found it impossible to accept the thought of a virgin birth. So, let’s…
It’s time to celebrate Thanksgiving. I love joining my family for a day of gratitude, food, football, and sharing our thankful hearts around the dinner table. But I don’t want a heart full of appreciation limited to Thanksgiving. I want to be faithful and thankful every day. What if we could make our expressions of…
Based on conversations with some of her friends, my daughter asked me to feature this post of tips for parents of adult children. As we approach the time of year when families will gather to celebrate the holidays, we thought this might be the perfect time. The Most Important Ways toLove Your Adult Children I’m…
I paused today to write Thanksgiving prayers, because… I’m getting ready to spend a busy weekend prepping the kitchen for Thanksgiving and decorating for Christmas. I know I may be breaking an unwritten code by putting up my Christmas tree before Thanksgiving, but the gratitude holiday is so late this year, I can’t wait any…
I don’t know what it’s like at your house, but it doesn’t seem like it’s getting easier for families to slow down and connect over meaningful conversations. It can be difficult to find time for conversations that encourage our families and make our relationships closer. Even for those who try to organize their schedules to…
How well do you KNOW Jesus? Some individuals seem to have a distorted view of Him. People who mold Him into who they want Him to be, not who He really is. What does it mean when someone says they are thankful for Jesus? As I read comments and articles, I realize there are some…
Are you grateful and kind when you talk to yourself, or are you your own worst critic? I’ll admit that I’m prone to severe self-criticism. I want to enjoy the blessing of a positive attitude, but it’s hard to remain positive when we focus on our flaws and failures. Did you know that there are…
How proficient are you at staying focused and living one day at a time? I have to admit it depends on the day. It’s a goal I’m working towards. Yes, I’ve read Jesus’ words thousands of times… “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”…
Are you restless? Dissatisfied? Where do you look when you want to be content? Discontentment is nothing new. It’s what prompted the first sin. Satan tempted Eve and Adam, convincing them that God was holding out on them by not letting them eat from the tree of Good and Evil. The serpent replied to the…
Sometimes we forget that the battle is real. I’ve been gathering with a group of friends at church to work through Annie Downs’ Study, Looking for Lovely. I actually started looking for life’s lovely moments when I began Counting My Blessings years ago. So, I expected a “lovely” time doing the homework and meeting with…
Is it easy for you to share your faith? I’ve known outgoing individuals for whom sharing their faith in Jesus came naturally. And I’ve known others who are more introverted and don’t know where to begin. John wanted the world to know the Jesus he knew—the Son of God, his Lord and Savior. He wrote…
What does it take to help a soul prosper? When was the last time you thought about your soul and whether or not it was prospering? There are so many things vying for our attention: things to do, places to be, people to engage, and entertainment to distract. The thought hit me as I read…
I’m wordy. I don’t believe I’ve ever been succinct. I express my thoughts and emotions with words. Lots of words. If someone asked you to describe your faith in as few words as possible, what would you say? I’ve always said, “Jesus.” He is the One on whom our faith is focused. He is the…
Do you know your eternal future is secure? Do you question whether or not God is listening to your prayers? What do you think when you hear the words eternity and prayer? John addresses these concerns toward the end of his first letter. Here’s his answer to the first question… I have written this to…
We’re pausing our study of John’s letters today because it’s my birthday. So, I decided to share some verses that have blessed and encouraged me throughout my life. Helpful verses that the Spirit has used to grow my faith and give me peace and strength for life. The following 10 verses are part of my…
