You and I grab our cleaning products to tackle physical dirt and grime in our homes but what about the burden of spiritual dust and cobwebs? Sometimes the weight of life takes our homes from safe sanctuary to stress-filled oppression. Is there anything we can do. There sure is… I’m thrilled to continue the Summer…
It’s week two of the Summer Sizzle Blog Hop Series! Yay!! And I’m so excited to share a post from one of my favorite people. Alison Tiemeyer is wise beyond her years. I’ve always loved reading her posts as she inspires me in both my faith and in blogging. Then I met her in person!…
I am so excited to kick off The Summer Sizzle Blog Hop Series with this post from my friend, Melanie Redd. Melanie is a prayer warrior, an inspiring speaker and writer, and one of my favorite people! She loves to laugh and even though I grew up in Michigan, she’s allowed me to declare myself her…
You open your eyes and can’t believe it’s morning already. Yesterday was hard and you have a feeling today will be just as challenging… You feel overwhelmed, unable, and in need of help. So, you’re crying out asking God to give strength only He is able to give. 5 Verses to Pray When You Need…
Rev and I began decluttering our home in January. I bought Marie Kondo’s book – The Magic Art of Tidying Up and jumped right in… The summary says: The Magic Are of Tidying up gives detailed guidance for determining which items in your house “spark joy” (and which don’t), this international bestseller featuring Tokyo’s newest lifestyle…
When I’m struggling. When I don’t know what to do next. When I’m anxious about the path God is placing before me . . . I go to the Psalms. Because David penned words there that are raw and honest. It almost feels like I’m getting a peek at his personal journal. “Lord, I’m afraid….
Do you get nervous when you’re meeting someone new? It’s understandable because I believe we’ve all experienced times when we’ve been with women who are quick to compare, critique, judge and belittle. We want girlfriends, women who can relate to life from the feminine perspective and cheer us on along the way. I’ve always wanted a sister,…
Have you ever had one of those times when you look around and you’re sitting in the middle of something you know only God could do? That’s where I found myself last weekend. We’d only met in person 36 hours earlier although we’ve been online friends for almost a year and a half. Our ages span…
Recently one of my favorite young moms, I’ll call her Ann, called me to talk. She was struggling over a meltdown that had happened with her little one. The morning started like any other, except . . . she hadn’t slept well and an important work deadline had her in more of a hurry than…
If you had to name one thing as “most important” in marriage what would it be? Compatibility?Friendship?Trust?Financial Security?Physical Attraction? What about the “most important” thing in your friendships? Conversation?Kindness?Trust?A Sense of Humor?Similar Interests? Of course, those things are all important… This may surprise you. I believe the most important thing in any relationship is living a God-first…
I remember the year our older daughter left for college, our son started high school, and our little bit went off to her first day of kindergarten. I’d always been highly anxious (another word for worrier) anyway but with all of those changes happening at once . . . I became what some might refer to as…
We live together, work together, study together, play together, and worship together. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone was easy? If people were always pleasant, helpful, and encouraging, appreciative, forgiving and fun. But relationships are complicated and even those we love the most drive us crazy at times. And although you can’t change the people…
How happy are you? Do you feel optimistic and positive most days or… Are you disappointed and discouraged? Overwhelmed and under-appreciated? With a never-ending to-do list? Exhausted wondering if things will get better? If this describes you . . . it may be time to ask some important questions to understand how your core beliefs are…
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…
Have you ever started the day in a pretty good mood . . . okay, maybe it took a couple of cups of coffee but then you were good to go. I’d like to think I’m a positive person. But… Then there are those times when a thought or memory, a post on Facebook, or…
“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.”…
There are those who say when you learn something the hard way you really learn it. I suppose it’s true. There is something about the lessons learned through pain that makes them stick. I’ve never been a fan of learning the hard way. Not the one to enjoy challenging consequences . . . I listened…
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…
