As we entered into a time of confession and repentance in our worship service yesterday morning, our pastor encouraged each of us to repent of the sin of silence. He said that too many of us have been silent for too long when it comes to calling out hatred around the world, in our nation,…
Are your children getting nervous about starting the new school year? Classes begin in our area next week. With one grandson starting first grade and the other third, I’ve been thinking back on their parent’s years in school. Add my own as a teacher. Whew! That’s a lot of hours spent in the classroom! Did…
Grab your journal and get ready to pray and plan in ways that will help you make tomorrow a great day! 10 Questions that will Make Tomorrow Better 1. What was today’s greatest blessing? Make a list of things for which you’re thankful and praise God! 2. Where did I miss the mark? List the…
I started this post several months ago when I was all fired up about a comment I read on Facebook followed by an article posted on Hello Christian. Respect is taught at home. If your kid is a disrespectful little *#%!, it’s your fault. Not society’s. Not music. Not video games. Yours! (uncredited quote on…
You’re upset. You know you’re right and they’re wrong. The people who make the decisions are taking things in the wrong direction. These people can be the decision makers for the country, at work, at church, in your neighborhood . . . you may even feel this struggle at home. So, what are you supposed to…
Have you ever gotten down on your knees and washed someone’s feet? No, I’m not talking about your three-year-old’s muddy little toes after an afternoon of puddle jumping . . . but feet of all ages and sizes. A number of years ago, I attended church with my son and daughter-in-love at the church where…
There are two events that took place early in Holy Week used to justify anger. After all, if Jesus expressed righteous anger, then it’s okay for you and me, too . . . right? The following accounts are found in Mark 11: Jesus Cursed a Fig Tree The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus…
My original plan for today was to share some of the prayer requests that have been added to the Blessing Counters Pray Page. I’m so thankful that people are visiting both to leave requests and to pray for others. You all bless me bunches. But rather than share several requests . . . I have…
“The company you keep says a lot about you, because your friends have a major influence on how you feel, think, and behave. Friends influence your choices.” (Psychology Today) The people with whom you and I spend our time have a huge impact on almost every area of our lives and let’s face it, with busy schedules…
Ooh, she was angry. I don’t know why. I don’t even know who. But I could hear her shrieks coming from down the street. She was angry and wanted everyone to know it. I don’t know whether it worked for her or not but temper tantrums and angry outbursts typically cause more problems than they…
I wonder… Who Do You Think Should Decide Right and Wrong? If everyone says it’s okay … is it really okay? Is cultural holiness the bar for right and wrong? What is cultural holiness? “Many Christians have what we might call a “cultural holiness”. They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them….
Let’s talk about trust… Imagine the following conversation between two friends: Friend A – “Some people should offer to read you your Miranda rights at the beginning of every conversation.” Friend B – “What?” Friend A – “You know. They should come with a warning label. I am a gossip or I am a liar.”…
Rev and I will celebrate our 45th Anniversary this weekend. What?! I remember thinking people married 25 years were old and those married 50 were ancient. Now that we’re closer to 50 than 25 . . . I’m surprised at how not old we feel. Sure, on the outside our hair is gray and our…
Do you ever wonder if you’re making a difference? If your life really matters? Somedays it feels like you’re just going through the motions . . . doing the same things again and again. But what if… You really were born for “such a time as this.” Last month, I wrote that I believe we…
In my dreams, I’m witty and engaging. The kind of person you’d want to sit and talk with for hours. And of course, I’m an excellent listener who is emotionally supportive offering just the right balance of encouragement with sage advice. But remember, I said, “in my dreams.” In reality, let’s just say . . ….
And they lived happily ever after. You read the stories as a little girl. The ones that ended with the beautiful wedding and those six words that stuck in our hearts and filled our dreams. Get down the aisle and your good to go. Right?! Maybe. Maybe not. Marriage is full of blessings but it also…
Do you ever find yourself mentally grumbling about your spouse’s shortcomings? Things they neglect or ignore? Jobs you end up doing yourself because you’re tired of asking? Little annoyances that get on your nerves? Isn’t it funny how the quirks you found adorable early in your dating can often turn into the very things that…
It’s February, so you know we have to talk about love. Okay, I’m using February as an excuse. If you’re a regular around here, you know we talk about love all the time because when you count your blessings . . . love tops the list. Recently, our pastor shared a message about knowing your…
Do you ever compare your life to the pretty picture lives of your friends on social media and feel like you’re missing out? Jesus challenged the people of His day with these words… Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” He said, “and try to understand. It’s not what…
You were determined. Things were going to be different this year. You made relationship goals and you’re doing your best. But there’s a problem. You brought last year’s baggage into this year’s efforts and your friends and family did too. Doubts, disappointments, failures . . . yep, the memories linger and hurt both your mind and…
How would your life be different if you committed to living the Golden Rule life? How would all our lives be different if everyone committed to living by The Golden Rule? You memorized like this… “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:12 (NIV) Easy words to memorize but hard…
