A year-end review enlightens us with understanding for future days. Learning from the past helps prepare us for the new year. God guides us through as we look to Him. A year-end review is …
The Wonder of Grace at Christmas
Recapture the wonder of grace. Twinkling lights on the tree, sounds of joyful Christmas music, and the aroma of sugar cookies baking in the oven create a calm atmosphere in the home during …
Perfect Love, The Gift of Christmas
Perfect love came a a gift through the child in the manger. God gave the purest gift to us, but many do not receive the gift. Who doesn't love to get gifts at Christmas? What is motive for giving …
The Birth of True Joy
True joy entered the world in the birth of Jesus. Shepherds, outcasts on a hillside watching their sheep, were shocked by the angel's announcement. Suddenly life changed forever. "Do not be …
Are Stress and Peace the Rhythm of Life?
Peace is often hard to find in a world full of stress. We anticipate something to happen one way, but it turns out another. Stress increases. We live in the tension between stress and peace. Our …
A Broken Mess?
We live in a broken mess. On the news we hear about fires raging out of control, earthquakes rattling communities, and unresolved wars. People made homeless due to natural disasters or joblessness. …
How is Your Gratitude Perspective?
I love the reminders to be thankful during this season, but am saddened that it lasts only a few weeks in November. A gratitude perspective is hard to maintain throughout the year with the pressures …
A Thankful Surprise
The winds of autumn blow through the trees, swirling yellow and red leaves to the ground. Brown crunchy leaves line the streets. Temperature fall; days are shorter. Autumn is here. Each season has its …
Improve Your Perspective: Release Disillusionment and Embrace Faith
A new perspective is hard to come by when life seems unfair. Disillusionment clouds our thinking; all we can see is the injustice around us. We grumble that we didn't get the promotion or …
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Psalm 23: Knowing the Shepherd
A favorite Bible passage of mine is Psalm 23. Although often read at funerals for comfort, its words bring comfort and guidance any day, in any situation. It is a psalm of confidence about the Lord's …
Need an Infusion of Genuine Hope?
Hope stirs up expectations in our minds. We look forward to good things with an optimistic perspective. We long for a good school year. everything getting done before a deadline. good …
Deep in the Heart of Summer
The heart of summer draws many of us closer to our air conditioners. Temperatures rise, the grass crunches, and flowers shrivel if not watered daily. The joy of planting flowers in spring is replaced …
Finding Encouragement and Hope in Psalm 1
Psalm 1 offers encouragement and hope for the person who finds joy in the Word of God. The Psalmist focuses on the imagery of the flourishing tree. The blessed person and the wicked …
Seeking God Faithfully, Diligently- Part 2
Seeking God is an intentional act of the will. We grow in closeness to God as we seek his presence. What keeps us from seeking God? Many distractions interfere with our spiritual focus. …
Seek God Faithfully, Diligently
Have you ever lost something that is precious to you? Did you seek after it? Several years ago, after a long day of spring cleaning, my husband and I took a leisurely walk to enjoy the brisk air. …
Spiritual Mothers
Spiritual mothers leave an imprint on many lives. Their legacy spans generations through their faith in God. What does it mean to be a spiritual mother? It is intentionally investing in another woman …
Spring Awakening of the Soul
Spring has finally arrived. It's been slow to arrive through erratic weather. I've been traveling in the past month throughout the middle of the US for different reasons. The weather has …
Why is Contentment Elusive?
Contentment can evaporate quickly. We tend to compare other people's lives to our own. We desire something other than the life we live. The desires can be small, like wanting the newest electronic …
Uninspired? Need Motivation? Four Keys to Power Through
Have you ever felt uninspired and stuck? A main symptom is lack of motivation. Lately I've felt that way. Tired, not motivated to do much or go forward on writing projects. Perhaps it's a …
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What We Can Learn from How Jesus Handled Stress
Consider the stresses of last week of Jesus' life. With determination, he proceeded through each day's stressful events, knowing what was ahead of him. On Sunday, he felt the excitement of the …
