As we start the new year, we read a lot about resolutions, goals, or selecting one word for the year. The year unfolds on day at a time. Our daily choices shape our lives. How will …
Packing Up, Sweeping Away, and Looking Forward
The week between Christmas and the new year is unique. Our activities usually involve packing away the Christmas decorations, sweeping away bits of wrapping paper, and munching on …
Where is the Peace?
Peace is elusive in the the world today. International conflicts raise tensions in far away places. Financial or health uncertainties steal peace of mind. The caregiver of a terminally …
Biblical Thanksgiving Prayers
Prayers of thanksgiving are a necessary part of the believer's life, not just during a season of the year. Gratitude is a spiritual discipline for everyday life. The Bible …
Principles for Reconciliation in Marriage
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 …
