On a scale of 1 to 10 – if 1 = perfect peace and 10 = all-consuming anxiety… How are you doing? I want to be around 1 or 2 but if I’m being honest . . . I often run somewhere above 5. We live in a hurry—late for everything, behind on payments, racing…
Everyone loves a compliment or a good pat on the back but what if that compliment is just flattery? Flattery is defined as: Excessive or insincere praise. You know I had to turn to God’s Word to learn what He has to say about it. And I found that Jesus’ half-brother Jude wrote: These people…
If asked, could you define your core values? Okay, maybe we should start by explaining what the phrase”core values” means. Core values are the fundamental beliefs that help people and organizations make decisions and focus on goals. Knowing our core values can help us make choices, manage our time more effectively, and balance our careers,…
Do you know people who have tunnel vision . . . focused on a single objective or point of view? Do you have tunnel vision? I asked myself a few questions lately wondering if I ever refuse to look at the perspective God wants for me because of my stubborn narrow focus. * How often…
What thoughts float through your mind whenever the subject of the Commandments comes up? Are you guilty? Uncomfortable? Disinterested? Proud? Do you believe there are a couple that are antiquated and just don’t apply anymore? Do you ever mentally run through the list and think, “Hmm, I’m doing a pretty good job?” Whatever your reaction…
As my fingers start to move across the keyboard, my eyes fill with tears but there’s a smile on my face. That’s what happens when I think about my mom. It’s been 14 years since I’ve been able to celebrate Mother’s Day with her, and I still miss her like crazy. My mom, like so many, was…
Just the thought of Mother’s Day can produce a whole range of feelings. The emotions of Mother’s Day can be thrilling and heartbreaking! So, maybe like me – you’re already anticipating the annual all-over-the-place highs and lows. I’ve experienced motherhood as a biological mother, an adoptive mother, a foster mother, a mother-in-law, and a substitute…
There’s a Twitter user who seems to take pleasure in challenging followers of Jesus and the Bible. This individual often replies to faith posts with comments like… “Faith is believing something without sufficient evidence. Faith is pretending to know things you don’t know.” Is that right? Is faith belief without evidence? This is how the…
Do you trust easily? For many, it all depends on the extent to which they’ve been disappointed and betrayed in the past. Trust is defined as confident reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, and promise of a person or thing. Trust relies on consistent reliability! Many of you shared Proverbs 3:5–6 as your favorite verses….
Years ago when our son was little, I’d take him to the mall to burn off the fidgets on days he couldn’t run around outside. I can still remember one particular visit like it happened yesterday… We were enjoying our time together when he looked up at me and said, “Wait right here Mommy, I’ll be right back.”…
I’ve been wondering about the difference between faith and faithfulness. Faith is believing in someone or something. Faithfulness is consistently acting on that faith. We can have faith that we have the best job in the world but if we don’t faithfully fulfill the tasks of that job we probably won’t have it very long….
It’s important for us to focus on God’s perfect and unfailing love . . . to remember that He is gracious and merciful watching over His children with care and compassion. David wrote: You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm…
Do you ever feel like the darkness is winning? Sexuality is confused, misused, and abused. Wars and rumors of wars lead our newscasts unless there’s a more titillating scandal to report. Respect for those in leadership seems to be the exception, not the norm. Addiction has filtered into every segment of society. Babies continue to…
Rev and I are celebrating our 50th Anniversary on Friday, March 11th. I can’t believe it! Time really does fly when you’re having fun! I know I don’t feel old enough to have been married that long. To celebrate, I thought it might be fun to focus on the #50 all week. Today, I’d like…
People seem to be fascinated with the subject of self-love lately. Even in the faith community, we’ve bought into the idea that we can’t love others well until we love ourselves well. After all, Jesus said: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ Matthew 22:39 But I wonder if putting self-love first doesn’t tempt us…
I can’t. I know I’m not strong enough to deal with that. I’m afraid! What’s that thing that makes your palms sweat and your heart race? The thing you fear most. The thing you beg God not to allow—telling Him you’re not strong enough. Those who want to motivate and inspire you might say: You’re stronger than…
Like you, I’ve had times when I needed courage for big problems that delivered big fears. There was the time our first grandson spent months in the NICU. And the one when Rev was sick for over a year with constrictive pericarditis. There have also been losses that changed everything and caused persistent grief. …
If you’re a regular visitor here, you know that I’ve made the following one of my life verses: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. Luke 12:31 I talk a lot about my desire to put God first in my life to SEEK Him first – but what does it…
What’s your heart’s desire? David wrote: “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4 I used to really struggle with that verse . . . especially during a season when God was not giving me what I believed to be my heart’s desire. I had faith. I was a…
How often do you pause to think about how awesome and wonderful God is? The Bible says: All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true… 2 Timothy 3:16a He wants us to KNOW Him . . . He wants us to know His character, what He has done…
There’s a battle going on inside each of us. A battle for our peace of mind. It’s true, the enemy would love to rob us of our eternal future, but if he can’t do that . . . he’ll work overtime to steal our current peace. And he’s a master at it. Jesus said… The…
