“I tell you, love your enemies.” Seriously! Did Jesus really mean love? An enemy is defined as someone who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another. And Jesus wants us to love them. Really?! He didn’t leave us wondering what He meant by the word “love.” He went…
Worry, anxiety, envy, anger, frustration, discouragement, self-pity, etc. Stinkin’ thinkin’! Negative attitude affecting thoughts that ruin our days and hurt our relationships. But it’s just part of life, isn’t it? Since sin entered the Garden, there have been examples of negativity leading to serious problems. Most of us have seen the quote: “Watch your thoughts,…
“Sometimes when we get overwhelmed we forget how big God is.”~ AW Tozer It’s true, isn’t it? When hurricanes hit literally or figuratively it’s easy to get overwhelmed. One of the things I tend to forget when my life feels out of (my) control and I’m tangled in a web of confusion and frustration is that…
I love great quotes! I save them on Pinterest and keep links to them close for easy access when I need a word of encouragement from someone who’s been there before me. You see, I don’t like learning the hard way! I’m one of those people who believes the advice of others. Now, that’s both…
Do you ever read a quote that you believe to be life-changing? One that is full of wisdom and truth? These words by Max Lucado from In the Eye of the Storm. It is one of those “best quotes” I not only want to remember but need to pull apart. I want it to be…
Who broke your heart? Was it your college crush? Your parent? Your best friend? Spouse? Child? Fiancé? Child? The truth . . . no matter how hard you and I try to avoid the pain, it’s impossible to get through life without experiencing the occasional broken heart. We can’t make everyone love us. There will be…
As we entered into a time of confession and repentance in our worship service yesterday morning, our pastor encouraged each of us to repent of the sin of silence. He said that too many of us have been silent for too long when it comes to calling out hatred around the world, in our nation,…
I hate phone-trees. It’s embarrassing how quickly I get ugly while trying to talk to a computer voice that insists I follow her prompts while refusing to hear my request. I try to make myself feel better with the excuse . . . it’s only a computer. But if it goes on too long, I…
Jesus told His followers that they are the “Light of the World.” That includes you and me. And I love it but in all honesty, it stresses me out a little, too. Why does light shining make me anxious? Because sometimes I just don’t want to shine. Sometimes I feel dull and broken. And last…
Are your children getting nervous about starting the new school year? Classes begin in our area next week. With one grandson starting first grade and the other third, I’ve been thinking back on their parent’s years in school. Add my own as a teacher. Whew! That’s a lot of hours spent in the classroom! Did…
Don’t you love joyful, passionately positive people? No, not those who are over the top and fake, but… The ones who live with enthusiasm, look for joy, pursue their dreams, and refuse to focus on what isn’t while working toward possibilities. Most people choose friends who love life and are fun to be around; so,…
Grab your journal and get ready to pray and plan in ways that will help you make tomorrow a great day! 10 Questions that will Make Tomorrow Better 1. What was today’s greatest blessing? Make a list of things for which you’re thankful and praise God! 2. Where did I miss the mark? List the…
How many relationships have been destroyed over foolish, hurtful, words spoken because someone was judgmental or jealous? I’ve been on both sides of hurtful words in my life. I’m guessing you have been too. Too many thoughtless things I’ve said that I wish I could retrieve and words said by others come to mind even…
Today’s is the last of the Summer Sizzle Blog Hop Series Posts. I’ll admit, I’m a little sad. This has been so much fun and I’ve loved introducing you to these dear friends. Today’s post is by my dear friend, Shannon Geurin. She has a story . . . about battle scars from the days…
I started this post several months ago when I was all fired up about a comment I read on Facebook followed by an article posted on Hello Christian. Respect is taught at home. If your kid is a disrespectful little *#%!, it’s your fault. Not society’s. Not music. Not video games. Yours! (uncredited quote on…
I’ve thought a lot about words lately. How you and I can use them to bless and grow a relationship or how easily they can erode the edges of a friendship or marriage until there’s nothing left. I’m not an advocate of the word police. I don’t believe in safe-spaces and I’m a long-standing proponent of…
Welcome to another post in The Summer Sizzle Blog Hop Series. It is an absolute blessing to introduce you to my friend, Valerie Murray. I am so very thankful God brought her into my life. If you’ve been visiting Counting My Blessings for a while, you know I’ve had a long hard journey through decades…
You’re upset. You know you’re right and they’re wrong. The people who make the decisions are taking things in the wrong direction. These people can be the decision makers for the country, at work, at church, in your neighborhood . . . you may even feel this struggle at home. So, what are you supposed to…
Some days you and I wake up filled with joy and praise comes easy. Some days life is hard and our praise is wrapped in cries and pleas. Today I want to talk about the other days. Those “run-of-the-mill” mundane days full of routine and normalcy. Days of dirty bathrooms, piles of laundry, and carpooling…
Welcome to week six of the Summer Sizzle Blog Hop Series. I have so loved sharing these amazing posts from faith-filled friends who encourage and bless me daily. This week I’m thrilled to introduce you to my friend, Lori Shumaker. I hardly know where to begin to tell you about Lori. I just love her…
Do you have anything in your life you’d do differently if you could get a do-over? I think everyone has lots of little things and maybe even a few big things they think . . . if only I had or if only I hadn’t. Yeah, me too. Of all the dos and don’ts, I…
