As I searched for information about this carol, I learned that from 1558 until 1829 it was against the law for individuals to practice the Catholic faith in the country of England. Evidently there is a belief that this Christmas Carol was written during this period of history as a way for young Catholics to learn…
This past Saturday approximately 100 teens spent the day in rocking chairs in front of area grocery stores. Why? Because five years ago, then 12 year old Jennifer Rubin wanted to do something to make a difference. Jennifer was part of the D.A.R.E. program at her school. Police Officer Josh King invited her to volunteer…
Waiting for an answer to prayer is hard. Waiting a long time for an answer to prayer is harder. Waiting a long time by yourself for an answer to prayer is hardest. Sometimes it seems like no one keeps anything private anymore. Between Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram it’s easy to feel like everyone shares everything. But…
Yesterday we talked about the difference between confession and repentance . . . confession = admission of guilt and repentance = remorse and asking for forgiveness. I’m going to start today with confession. True confession. I want you to like me. Truth – bloggers sit day after day pouring out their hearts through their fingertips….
I like decorating with mirrors. They make a room appear larger. They always go with your current decor. They come in many styles . . . framed, unframed, hanging, standing, large, or small. I believe mirrors make decorating easier. I’ve wondered lately if having mirrors everywhere is best for our mental health and general well-being….
This is a photo of Arminda and her family. I met them while traveling with World Vision’s Bolivia Bloggers in August of 2011. You can read more about the trip here. I don’t know what happened to Arminda’s birth father, he may have left their community to find work . . . something that’s very…
Are you waiting for your circumstances to match your expectations before you’ll be happy? Do you need: The kids to stop arguing? More money? Less fat? More friends? A bigger house? The interesting thing is the definition of happy doesn’t say anything about circumstances. The dictionary says happy = showing enjoyment, pleasure, satisfaction, or joy. You don’t…
No one can break your heart like those closest to you . . . children, spouses, parents, siblings, best friends, etc. Without sharing details, I will tell you that what we experienced left me curled up in a ball. Devastated. Heartbroken. Healing My Heart The healing was process was long and difficult, but it…
Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me. Psalm 41:9 Have you ever trusted someone who later betrayed you? It hurts. It really hurts. Down deep at your core it hurts. And the closer the relationship – the greater the pain. Relationships need trust! They…
My daughter and I have an saying we use often. When we’re having an exceptionally good time, we love to say, “this is just good fun!” Sometimes I’ve wondered if it’s just the two of us being wordy – like always. You know a perfect example of our tendency to be redundant. (Succinct is not our gift….
As you organize, prep, and purchase for the new school nothing you do is more important than adding a covering of prayer. For many praying for their children and grandchildren is second nature, but praying for teachers and friends is equally important. As is praying for God-given wisdom for ourselves as we guide our kiddos through…
Shout happily to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord cheerfully. Come into His presence with a joyful song. Realize that the Lord alone is God. He made us, and we are His. We are his people and the sheep in His care. Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving. Come into His courtyards with a song of…
“The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that…
Whether it’s a pipe organ or praise band, chanting liturgies or repeated choruses . . . everyone has an opinion of the “right” way to do “church.” And we don’t just bark at and bite each other over service styles, we get hot with our different understanding of points of theology and condemn those who…
On July 4th, 199? A news reporter stuck a microphone in my face and asked, “Why do we celebrate the 4th of July?” As only a well-educated teacher could answer, I replied, “It is the Day the Constitution was signed.” One more on my list of life’s embarrassing moments . . . especially when friends at…
Personal nosey questions… They can make you break out in a cold sweat, avoid new situations, and look for the closest exits. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying…
Do you know a dad who feels overworked and under-appreciated? Take a moment to tell your favorite dad that he’s doing a great job! “Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, story-tellers, singers of songs.” ~ Pam Brown “Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance.” – Ruth E….
Wagon in the Woods I wish we knew the whole story. We know where it started and where it stands now, but so much of the middle is unknown. We were told a farmer in East Germany made it in the late 1800’s. After WWII, when the Russians took over East Germany farmers received tractors, but…
Do you know the difference between flattery and encouragement? Flattery is nice, but what we need is real encouragement because . . . “We are what we believe we are.” ~ C.S. Lewis Who do you believe you are today? If you are discouraged and hurting, or if you simply need a the seed of…
Do you enjoy a creative outlet? If you had more time would you: – draw – paint – sing – sew – knit – decorate – design – compose – write – scrapbook – bake – play an instrument – take more photos Do you have someday dreams? It’s time to drop the “someday,” and turn…
The purpose of life is a life of purpose. ~Robert Byrne Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:14 Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. ~ Oscar Wilde
