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 …
Stressful Life? 4 Lessons from Elijah
The stressful life has certain characteristics. Being overwhelmed, frustrated and burdened weigh heavy on us. It is easy to feel offended, negative and hopeless in the heart. Common feelings and …
Stress Management in the Desert: Moses
Stress management has been around since biblical times. It isn't a new idea created in the 21st century, although there are different stressors in our lives today. In the Bible we can learn how …
Stand Strong Against Stress
Stress is a normal part of life. We deal with some type of frustration nearly every day. Some stressors we bring on ourselves due to poor planning, lack of organization, over commitment, or …
Joy in the Journey
Joy is necessary for this journey of life. Not phony smiles, but genuine joy in the deep crevices of our souls. Even when our destination seems unknown, the supernatural joy of the Lord brings a new …
Dangerous Detours on the Journey
Detours on the faith journey definitely impair progress. Have you ever gotten re-routed because of detours? One vacation we got detoured from the main four lane highway onto a small two lane road. …
Destination Unknown-Where are You Headed?
A destination is necessary when you plan a journey. Have you ever headed out without one in mind? Have you gotten lost? Journey implies there is a beginning and ending point, moving toward the …
Will You Linger Longer with Joy?
Will you linger longer or jump to the next thing? January conversations usually include this question: "How was your Christmas?" A quick answer is given, but then discussion moves on to new projects …
Faithful Resolution for the New Year
The new year is faithful bringing new opportunities for weight loss, improved fitness, better diet, ending bad habits and starting new ones. Commercials bombard us of our need to change and improve …
End of Year Reflection
The end of the year provides a great time for reflection. The process takes some time, but looking back over the past is beneficial. Does it sound too daunting? A simple plan will help you and give …
Redemption In a Manger
Christmas brings the redemption of many things. For one, the boxed Christmas tree is spread out, fluffed and decorated with lights and ornaments. The once smashed tree is transformed into a beautiful …