My mother-in-love used to tell us how much she missed the blessing of caring touch. Recently, a friend of ours said the same thing following our Sunday morning hug. For those who live alone a caring healing touch is precious. But it all really hit me when I read my morning devotion from, Just Like Jesus Devotional: A Thirty-Day Walk with…
What kind of memories are you making at your house? Not just holidays and celebrations. Not traditions. Not even scrapbooks, digital photos, videos, or anything you put on social media to save for the future. But normal everyday moments that are planting seeds of memories in your children and your spouse. I’m talking about HOME! Family! People!…
Are you breathing in wonderful? Remembering to look at your day through a lens of grace? I can easily make a mess out of the present by looking to the past with a heavy heart. But the truth is a good pity party has never really done me any good. All it does is give my emotions the freedom…
Are you waiting on God to make something beautiful out of your mess? To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own…
When your mess gets exposed, whether it is of your own making or not, it’s impossible to look good. The painful truth is that an exposed mess leaves us open to judgment, criticism, gossip… and the list goes on. Talk about feeling vulnerable! I’ve found it surprising though that an exposed life is better. It may not feel like it right away….
This cracks me up. One of those funny truths. Some days people are just too hard. Day’s when you’re: Frustrated. Angry. Hurt. Tired. Exhausted. _________. [Tweet “What do you do when you can’t people? Can’t family? Can’t coworkers? Can’t . . . nope you just can’t?”] Paul had an answer. Since God chose you to be the holy…
What does wonderful mean to you? You want wonderful days. A wonderful family. A wonderful job. A wonderful vacation. Etc. But what is your definition of wonderful? Does wonderful make you happy? Should it? Why do I always have more questions than answers? Whew! I’m just thankful for easy access to information. Let me share…
I was once described as “unflappable.” Unflappable! Are you kidding? Not even close. Rev says I am, “Eight years ago when you sat in the Cardiac surgery waiting room not knowing whether I would live or die, you were unflappable.” “Maybe. But two years earlier I was undone. Broken.“ Then Rev reminds me, “It’s when we are undone that God is…
How are you? Is life peaceful and easy? Not so much? Paul ended his letters to the Thessalonians with these words: Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good…
C. S. Lewis published his first work in 1919 and went on to author more than 70 books the most famous being The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity. Countless Christians have been inspired by his life and writing. His quotes inspire me. Lewis knew life’s difficulties. His childhood faith rejected in college, describing himself as “the most…
Gossip is anything said about someone to someone that isn’t loving and kind and that you wouldn’t say directly to the person about whom you’re talking. If you catch yourself participating in this—you are gossiping. Gossip hurts. If you’ve ever been the victim of gossip you know it hurts. People gossip because of… Pride Envy Insecurity Resentment And…
I don’t usually remember my dreams. That’s one of the reasons I’ve found it interesting when the Lord chooses to teach me through dreams. A few times I’ve had wow, smack me up the side of the head get my attention dreams. Most often, it’s been repetitive dreams that finally make me stop and ask, “Okay…
I decided years ago that if I was going to get wrinkles anyway, I wanted smile lines. No frown lines dragging the corners of my mouth down to my chin for me. Nope, I wanted lines between mouth and cheeks created by years of intentional grinning. And that’s only one of the benefits of smiling. It also: Improves…
I think women want beauty because deep down we believe, no, we know, that beauty is power. It starts when we’re very little girls and continues throughout school. It doesn’t take us long to realize that pretty girls use their power to manipulate teachers, parents, boys, and even the other girls. “We learn that now…
I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. Your kingdom is built on what is right and fair. Love and truth are in all You do. Happy are the people who know…
Do you ever wake up in the morning and realize before you get out of bed . . . “Ooh, I’m in a mood today?” You don’t know why. Nothing particularly bad happened. But your nerves are on edge. Or the opposite is true . . . you’ve got the blues. And you just know the next 15+ hours…
It’s hard to overcome negativity. I’ve had times when it seemed like the gray cloud above me stretched as far as I could see in every direction. Friends and family would remind me of blessings they could see in my life. And although I knew they were right, what wasn’t loomed larger than what was . . . at least…
True or false? [Tweet “The greater your willingness to invest in something, the greater its value to you.”] Whether it’s a relationship, a purchase, your education, or career . . . where you focus your time, money, energy, and thoughts is where you place the most value. That’s nothing new. Many have said it before…
Yesterday we looked at seven ways to bless your day with less. The following is a list of quotes and Bible verses that are encouraging me in my efforts to make these changes: Quotes to Bless Your Day with Less Less Talking – More Listening “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they…
The last few years Rev and I have been trying to live with less. Less stuff. Less stress. Less frustration. Less stuff and simple organization makes life easier, and gives us more peace and contentment. We know what we have and where it is. And we love it! Since less stuff is proving to be a blessing, I’ve decided to…
What is your story? I want to know. There are more that 7 billion people in the world. No two alike. Each person unique and wonderful. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I…
