It’s hard, isn’t it? Delving into the unknown. Waiting and wondering. At the moment, it’s hitting us all. People all over the world are watching and listening … uncertain about what the future will bring. It’s really no different than usual. It’s just that this time we have a common subject. But every day, all…
I’m a good student … someone who has always believed that information helps me achieve my goals and helps my relationships. So, whenever we faced a challenge in our marriage or family, I went searching for information that would “fix” the problem. I’ve read countless self-help books … books on personality types and love languages…
Is it hard for you to be honest with God? Do you struggle to pour out feelings of impatience or frustration? Are you able to tell Him when you’re losing hope because your problem persists and you wonder if things will ever change even though you’ve prayed and prayed and prayed? I love that God…
If you watch the news … the world is a mess and it’s only getting worse. Maybe you are doing okay personally or maybe you’re not. But even when you and I are fed, housed, and healthy … we always seem to have concerns to lay before the Lord in prayer. Some big, some small,…
Our grandson loves math. I get it! I love math, too. We were talking about his love for math the other night and he told me it’s his favorite because it is logical and consistent. Then he said, “Words are harder … with language you have to figure out things like there, their, and they’re….
I think we’ve all had times when the notes on tomorrow’s planner page have resulted in a restless night of worry and anxiety. A Doctor’s Appointment – for Yourself or Someone You Love. A Meeting with Difficult Person. A Huge Project Deadline. A Major Grade-deciding Exam. A Shortage of Money for a Major Need. A…
Sometimes I think I was born worrying. I perfected the art of asking “what if” questions as I was learning to read, write, and get along with others. Now I’ll be the first to admit that anticipating negative “what ifs” when it comes to trying to avoid the negative consequences of problematic words and actions…
Let everything you do be done in love… 1 Corinthians 16:14 It’s hard to do everything in love, isn’t it? Today is the day we focus on love … romantic love, family love, and friend love. Eros — Romanic Love. Storge — Familial Love. Philia — Affectionate (Friend) Love. But that’s not the love Paul…
Do you remember being a child and longing for the freedom you believed you’d finally have once you became an adult? Then you grew up and discovered that you enjoyed way more freedom as a child than you have now. There are more demands on your time, more expectations, more work … more everything. Freedom…
I’m not a thrill-seeker. Nope! I’m not looking for life’s next roller-coaster ride or white water rapids experience. Now some of you may be thinking … I totally get it. I completely agree. But others are shaking their heads thinking … that’s so boring. I can’t wait for my next adrenaline rush. And I love…
I believe we all want to be emotionally healthy … and there are several things required to make that desire a reality. Those things are a need for love, security, and significance. The need to be valued! And I believe we are hardwired by God with this need for two very important reasons… He is…
I want to be totally honest with you today. Okay, let me rephrase that because I’m honest with you every day… I guess what I’m going to do today is make myself a little more vulnerable because I want you to know that like you, I struggle. I have battled fear, worry, anxiety, and general…
I love the beginning of a new year. A clean calendar. A fresh start in Genesis. It always feels like a do-over for… Resolutions. Goals. Hopes. Promises. That’s typically how I feel on December 30th and 31st. Sometimes the feeling lingers a little and I can carry in through January 1st, 2nd, and maybe even…
Merry Christmas, my friends! I am so thankful for you! You all bless me in countless ways. So, I’m stopping today to pray for you, I’m asking God to bless you. I’m asking Him to give you a beautiful Christmas celebration and be with you throughout the year ahead. And I’m asking Him to fill…
Christmas is just days away and as I read through and lift up the prayer requests left on the Blessing Counters Prayer Page, I can’t help but notice how families seem to have two areas of pain and concern that rise to the top … especially at this time of the year. Finances and relationships….
There’s a word we don’t use very often anymore. Behold! Even in the more recent translations of the Bible, the word behold has been replaced with words like … look, see, and watch. But I think beholding something is so much more than simply looking or seeing. We hurry past things we see every day…
I’m keeping it simple today… There has been a lot of talk over the past days about being thankful. We’ve counted our blessings and listed the good things we enjoy. We’ve feasted with family and friends and now, the day after it seems like it’s time to move on to all-things Christmas. But before we…
I’m jumping into the holidays this weekend … prepping the kitchen for Thanksgiving and decorating for Christmas. I know I may be breaking some kind of unwritten code by putting up my Christmas tree before Thanksgiving but the gratitude holiday is so late this year, I just can’t wait any longer. Even with all planning,…
What does it mean to glorify God? Henry Blackaby wrote: “Will God ever ask you to do something you are not able to do? The answer is yes–all the time! It must be that way, for God’s glory and kingdom. If we function according to our ability alone, we get the glory; if we function…
I’ve recently come to the conclusion that the enemy has one primary form of tempting God’s children. It’s the same thing he’s used since the Garden… “Did God really say…” Genesis 3:1a He is all about tempting us to doubt. Doubt God. Doubt the Bible. Doubt Jesus. And if all else fails … he wants you to doubt…
I’ve spent a lot of time this week thinking about hope. You see, I’d never really stopped to think about the differences between the way secularists and people of faith perceive hope. For the secularist, hope is based solely on the strength of their inner desires and the belief that they will achieve or receive…
