There’s an old Sweedish Proverb that goes like this… “Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.” Joy is not the same as happiness. True Biblical joy is a gift of God, through faith in Jesus. It bubbles up inside of us and overflows to everyone around us. And that’s how…
It’s the Season of Joy! Paul wrote: Always be joyful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Really? Always? We want to bubble over with joy . . . but there seem to be so many things working to suck the joy right out of us. We’re trying to accomplish too much in too little time. Children are hyper…
Are you a purposeful planner? Do you set goals for the future and intentionally plan the steps necessary to accomplish them? Solomon wrote: Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:20–21 Setting goals…
The Season of Advent also called the “Season of Waiting” begins this Sunday. Let’s face it! Most of us don’t like to wait. We live at a time when most things happen fast and when they don’t . . . well, we’re not happy. But the Season of Advent calls us to wait with expectation….
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. It’s fun to gather with those we love and eat until we’re as stuffed as our turkeys but I want to pause and remember the origins of Thanksgiving and thank God for the countless blessings we have received from His grace, mercy, and love. History.com shares the following…
It’s Thanksgiving week in the U.S. and I want to take this opportunity to say that you, my beautiful friends, are near the top of my list of things for which I’m thankful. You faithfully bless me with your friendship and your encouragement. But most of all you bless me by the many ways you…
Rev has often said, “Jesus taught about the things we should do to get along with one another and God gave us families to practice!” Jesus told His followers… And although we want to trust and follow Jesus’ words and example . . . it’s hard to serve consistently and faithfully exhibit humility and mercy…
It seems like people are finding plenty of things to complain about lately. What do you think? How often do you catch yourself complaining? But wait, it’s supposed to be that time of year when we encourage each other to talk more about those things for which we are thankful. And… Aren’t we told that…
I’m an emotional Sanguine. I feel everything. Everything! Once in a Bible Study class, Rev asked me if I remembered an event we’d gone to and my immediate answer was, “I don’t know. Did I cry?” Happy, unhappy, or simply emotional tears . . . I cry easily. Oh, I love to laugh, too. In…
I’d been waiting all evening for the phone to ring… My dad was tired and emotional after having spent the day with 73 other American Veterans on their “Final Mission” (I tear up every time I see those words) to Washington DC. Their ages spanned several decades, branches of the military, and calls of duty…
Do you know someone who radiates gratitude? It may be because they know the… 4 Important Truths about Gratitude 1. Gratitude is a choice. Grateful people don’t wait until they get what they want to be thankful. They choose to celebrate what they have. Even when life is hard . . . there are always…
How well do you focus on the Lord when you pray? I have the best of intentions… I want to enter my War Room in warrior mode and make an impact on the battles taking place in the spiritual realm. But I struggle with ADD . . . my mind darts from thought to thought….
