Reconciliation in marriage is challenging, but is worth the effort. Marriage begins with the hope of living happily ever after, as we've been taught from fairy tales. However, because …
Speak Words of Worth to Your Soul
Do need some words of worth for your soul? Do you feel like you're doing your best but still coming up short? Feelings of inadequacy are overwhelming and possibly crippling. Life is …
Is Joyful Faith Possible?
How can we have joy in everyday life when we are constantly bombarded with news, stress, and difficulties? Since the pandemic began, joy has been hard to find, with so many people being …
Three Ways to Reset Your Mindset
January brings the opportunity to reset your mindset. This year feels the same as last year, with the uncertainties from CoVid and all that it has changed in our lives. Recovering from …
Guest Post by Kathy Howard–Weighty Last Words
Today I welcome author and speaker Kathy Howard as a guest on my blog. Kathy is an excellent Bible teacher. This post is adapted from her new devotional book, “Deep Rooted: Growing through …
Reflect and Reset, Look Up and Live Forward
The new year is time to reflect and look up with praise and reset your life to live forward with faith confidence in God. The end of the holiday season and first weeks of January give us …
Giving Thanks – Learning Gratitude In Real Life
Learning gratitude in real life takes effort. It is taught in our homes. When a child receives a birthday gift from someone, the mom usually cues the child, “What do you say?” It’s a …
Taste and See the Goodness of God
The goodness of God is all around us. Autumn in the Midwest brings crisp air, colorful leaves, and s'mores by the fire pit. The season also means that pumpkin spice is everywhere on foods …
Do You Need Soul Satisfaction?
Do you need soul satisfaction? We are too easily satisfied with the things of this world. Contentment is elusive. We become too busy with our everyday lives that we neglect the source of …
Pray for Hope in the Mess
Do you need hope in the midst of the mess and chaos in the world? When we look at crisis after crisis, it is natural to feel despair. On a large scale, the terrorist attacks, …
Words of Worth for Your Soul
Do you feel like you're doing your best but still coming up short? Feelings of inadequacy are overwhelming and possibly crippling. Do need some words of worth for your …
Three Ways Joy Changes You
Have you ever purchased something that you thought would bring joy, but later you were disappointed by it? The other day I felt discouraged. My mood matched the overcast skies. …
Why Is Heart Posture Important?
Posture is important in life. "Straighten up!" If I slouched as a teenager, Mom poked me between my shoulder blades, as if her words weren't enough of a reminder. Musicians know …
How Can I Gain a Pure Heart?
It's hard to keep a pure heart with the noise of the world through television, social media, and the internet constantly invading our lives. Are the words we hear encouraging or …
How do You Guard Your Heart?
"I thought you'd call sooner." The voice on the phone was full of criticism and disappointment. I sensed coldness as she continued talking about the stress in her life. I listened, …
Can You Embrace God’s Delight and Love for You?
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah …
What is the Condition of Your Heart?
I wasn't prepared the first time I visited someone in the hospital with a heart condition after bypass surgery. The heart had blockage that needed surgical correction and now the patient was …
Persevere in Everyday Life – Don’t Give Up!
At my Bible study group, I shared about having a word for the year as a guide and encouragement. One gal had never done it before, and as we talked, she perked up with, “I have my word!” She was …
The Light of the World Banishes Fog
The winter fog engulfed the open countryside. A recent ice and snow accumulation blanketed the ground with white, while the thick fog painted the air white. It was hard to distinguish the horizon line …
New Year, New Hope
The New Year brings hope for a better days ahead. The Christmas decorations are packed away. Memories of the holiday 2020 linger, of the year that families had to be creative to see each …