I can still picture where I was standing, hear the words, and feel the way they hit my heart. I’d finally gotten the courage to share my sadness and longings with an older woman in our congregation. But before the words were fully out of my mouth, she looked at me and said, “Shame on…
My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when He corrects you.For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom He delights. Proverbs 3:11–12 Nope, I don’t like being disciplined. I never have. Truthfully, I don’t know anyone who gets excited about being sent to time out or having a…
How often do you feel like you need a do-over? An opportunity to try again? Here’s a short list of some of the things I do that make me want a do-over: Words I’ve spoken that I’d like to inhale or say differently. Thoughts I’ve allowed to lead me down a path of discouragement. Procrastination…
I want to live in victory every day. Really I do. If you’re here, I’m guessing you want to live in victory too. But no matter how hard you and I try . . . the enemy and his demons heckle and harass us. They continually torment each of us with negativity, divisiveness, concerns, and…
Rev and I once stayed at a hotel where there was a card on the nightstand that read: W.I.T. Whatever it Takes. Simply dial ’10.’ Our goal is that every guest leaves satisfied.“ As guests, we appreciated both the message and the goal. And then I started thinking… What if every follower of Jesus, the…
So have you started to simplify your life, yet? Have you determined to get a grip on your schedule before you return to the busier fall routine? Living with an intentional plan and purpose honors God. So, let’s add 5 more ways to simplify… 5 More Things You Should Doto Bless and Simplify Your Life…
The first week in August is Simplify Your Life Week. Do you dread the start of school and all the extra activities that go with it? This week is the perfect time to stop and assess your family’s priorities, schedule, and responsibilities. It’s time to evaluate your must-dos, need-to dos, and want-to dos. Before the busyness and…
We’ve been talking about the truth that God loves it when His children are happy and that He is the One who is able to make happiness happen. No, not by giving us the earthly things we want but by giving Himself to us. When you and I SEEK [Him] and His kingdom and when…
Are you happy? Do you want to be? If so, what are you doing about it? There are plenty of people who say that personal happiness is the goal and purpose of life. Although, I believe the “purpose of life” is God-given and found in Knowing, Loving, and Trusting Him. I do believe that God…
Jesus said, “I AM the Messiah.” (John 4:26) He said, “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6) And when Jesus asked Peter what he believed about Him, Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) So, today I’m taking a closer look and asking myself…
So, how’s your character? I looked up both positive and negative character traits and discovered… Positive traits like compassion, kindness, humility, honesty, and self-control. And Negative traits like arrogance, rudeness, laziness, selfishness, and abrasiveness. So those are character traits but… What exactly is a person’s character? The word character comes from the Greek word “χαρακτήρα”,…
When someone’s choices, actions, or behaviors cause circumstances that painfully change your life . . . it can seem like you’ll never feel okay again. I get it. I’ve been there . . . curled up on the bed for days wondering how I’d ever be able to breathe again. At that moment, the idea…
[Jesus said], “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.“ Luke 6:37 We know Jesus told His followers to forgive each other. But I think most of us have experienced a time when it…
How would your friends and family describe you? Are you a positive person? How would people on social media describe you? Are you positive there, too? It’s not easy but I typically try to choose words that are loving, kind, and encouraging . . . even when it feels like I’m swimming against the current. I’ve…
Father God,I’m not strong enough.I can’t. I’m afraid. What’s the thing you fear most? That thing that makes your palms sweat and your heart race? The thing you beg God not to allow—telling Him you can’t, you’re afraid . . . you’re not strong enough. But when you finally get the courage to talk to a friend…
What makes a healthy trusting relationship? Not just between husband and wife, but with family members and friends, too. Rev and I talked about this recently and determined that we believe trust is essential in all healthy relationships. So, we made a list of things we believe are important to maintain the trust that is…
What if God asked you for permission before He allowed your life to get painful and messy? I imagine like me, you would quickly reply, “I don’t want to!“ “I don’t want to . . . endure, suffer, grieve, lose, forfeit, repent, surrender, forgive, etc. It’s too hard. It’s too painful. I’m not strong enough . . ….
I frequently hear from people who are struggling with feelings of doubt… They doubt God’s goodness. They question God’s forgiveness. They’re afraid or worried about the future. They’re disappointed, hurt, or just beaten down by life. They don’t feel His presence and wonder about His love. The enemy of our souls works overtime to keep us…
The 4th of July is celebrated as Independence day in America. So, what does it mean to be independent? 1. Not subject to control by others: self-governing.2. Not requiring or relying on someone or something else. Synonyms for independence are: self-sufficient, self-reliant, self-supported, and self-sustaining . . . the ability to live in freedom. On July…
So you’ve kept every New Year’s resolution perfectly, right? You… lost weight. exercised faithfully. managed your budget. organized your house. perfected your planner. volunteered regularly. faithfully spent time each day in Bible Study and Prayer. spent time with friends and family. Or maybe you didn’t. Maybe you need a mid-year re-resolution party, a do-over ….
Would you say you’re living with enthusiasm? What makes you enthusiastic? The word enthusiasm is made up of two little Greek words . . . en and theos. “En” is the Greek word for within or in, and “theos” is the Greek word for God. So “enthusiasm” literally means to be “full of or in God.” It shouldn’t…
