This is one of those posts that won’t make me the most popular blogger on the block. It’s just something I’ve been thinking about and feel the need to discuss here. I’m reading through a Chronological Version of the Bible this year and the last few months I’ve been working my way through the kings…
“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…
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….
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…
Is your spirit healthy? Did you know—if your spirit is healthy you will have better physical, social, and emotional health than those who are spiritually unhealthy? But how do you know if your spirit is healthy? Can you know a person’s spiritual health from their: Church Attendance? Bible Study? Prayer Life? Morals? Compassion? Kindness? Friendliness?…
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 . . ….
You have a list of hopes and dreams. Things you want to accomplish. Places you want to visit. Hopes you hold on to for the future. You set goals. But the truth is… Some of your hopes and dreams will happen and some will not. And I always find it interesting that even of those…
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…
Unable to sleep, I tried to pray. I went through my mental list of people to lift before the Lord and then I stopped. I realized how often I hesitate when it’s time to pray for things affecting my family and myself. Why? Why is it easy to pray for others and so difficult to pray…
I can’t believe we’ve come to the end of The Faith Project. I’ll never come to the end of learning and growing . . . but this week closes out my year of digging deep and writing about twelve themes I believe are important parts of a life of faith. Freedom Love Wisdom Prayer Humility Patience Stillness…
I’d lost my joy. Jesus said, “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.” John 10:10 And it felt like our family had been in his cross-hairs. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get through the holidays. I could fake happiness at moments but inside I felt stunned and joyless. Maybe you remember John…
Are you ready to surprise and impress your family and friends with some fun Christmas facts? I thought it might be fun to compile a list of as many fun details about our Christmas beliefs and traditions as I could find. All set? Good! Let’s go… The History of Christmas – the Holiday 1. Christmas,…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. A little less than two weeks until Christmas but in many households joy-filled wonderful is not filling the air. I’ve heard from a number of people who feel there is not enough time, money, or energy to see them through to the end of the year. They’re exhausted…
Entitlement is 1) the condition of having the right to have, do, or get something 2) the feeling or belief that you deserve to be given something. Entitlement is the Opposite of Gratitude. It is a greedy, self-serving “I deserve it” attitude about life. What do you and I deserve? I turned to the internet, where I…
I didn’t choose my life verse. It chose me. And then a few years later, it chose Rev too. Psalm 73:26 literally jumped off the page as I sat reading my Bible with a crumpled and defeated heart. Physically I was fine but emotionally I was wrecked. Then just a couple of years later, Rev’s…
Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NCV) Really? Whatever happens? When I was curled up in the fetal position broken and feeling like I’d never feel happy again giving thanks was not a priority. Slowly, I began finding reasons to be thankful ….
Do you ever need a little extra inspiration to jumpstart feelings of thankfulness? I do. Some days are just hard and as I look around it’s hard to feel thankful in the midst of so much chaos and confusion. But there is always a reason to be thankful. Always. God is great. He is…
I’m not proud of this… I’ve had too many times in my life when all I could focus on was the problem. Like the eight years we struggled with secondary infertility, or when Rev was so sick, or when I allowed a problem with a child to consume my thoughts. And if I sat here for…
