5 Ways to Draw Near to God in Quietness
Quietness is hard to find. With the constant stream of information and music on the internet, the busyness of our lives, and impatience in our souls, quietness escapes us. The fast pace of life …
Drawing Near Through Reverent Fear and Confession
Reverent fear of the Lord increases our awareness of the holiness of God and the sins that separate us from Him. Reverent fear leads to worship; confession of sin allows us to receive grace and draw …
Are You Daring to Draw Near?
Lent, the season preceding Easter, is an excellent time to draw near to the Lord. We can increase our mindfulness of all the Lord has done for us through his life, death, and resurrection so that …
3 Tips to Make the Most of Time
A new year has begun with all its promise, opportunity and challenge. We think about a fresh start, resolutions, goals, and TIME. We have many choices ahead regarding how we will spend our minutes and …
My Word for the Year
The week after Christmas is a great time to pack away the memories and prepare for the new year. As I unwind from the flurry of holiday activities, I reflect on the previous twelve months. God …
Guidance: Looking Back, Moving Forward
Guidance for the new year occurs through looking back over the past year before moving forward into the new one. Now is a good time to reflect on where you’ve been and what you hope to do …
Christmas Love Versus Fear and Loneliness
Christmas love brings to mind warm sentimental scenes created from movies. People are cozy and happy in television specials, getting along with everyone. However, in real life, the …
Christmas Joy Versus Despairing
Waiting for joy. Outcasts on a hillside watching their sheep. Suddenly life changed forever. The angel’s announcement shocked them. But the angel said to them, …
Christmas Hope Versus Darkness
Hope gets stirred up during December through the anticipation Christmas gifts. Kids anticipate their favorite toy or video …
Christmas Peace versus Chaos
Everyday situations and people rob us of peace is we let them. A baby in the night cries and the mom wonders if she’ll ever have a silent night again. The caregiver of a terminally ill person wonders …
Thanks-Living, The Benefits of a Thankful Heart
An attitude of gratitude cultivates many blessings and benefits. Benefit 1: A thankful heart acknowledges reliance of God. God is the giver of the big and small blessings in each day. …
Everyday Gratitude
Gratitude increases our awareness of the Giver of the blessings in our lives. Year ago, this scenario played out in front of me every week. Rick’s car pulled into the driveway; the engine turned …
Fearful? Worried? Embrace God’s Promises
Promises are made through quiet words spoken with fingers crossed behind the back or by statements of conviction sealed with a firm handshake. Which do you prefer? The value of a promise is dependent …
How is Your Endurance?
Endurance varies from person to person, depending on the activity and motivation. My husband and I both walk for exercise. At one time I was the more consistent, faster-paced walker and he …
Are You Stuck, Needing Transformation?
Do you feel stuck, needing transformation? Often we hope for something to change, but things stay the same. We hope that change will be instantaneous, like an ordinary person being a recipient of …
Ready for the Season of Change?
Every day reveals more evidence that the season is changing. The warm wind has an occasional touch of coolness in it. The tips the leaves of our maple tree are turning red; within a week …
Simple Blessings Abound to You!
When troubles abound, do you yearn for good news? Instead, can you see the simple blessings that are around you? Even when hope seems lost, the Lord is there. Our challenge is to open our …
Are You a Lifelong Learner?
“Daddy I have the best teacher EVER!” Those words drifted through my open windows on the first day of school. Outside a little girl trotted home in her new school clothes and backpack.Her …
Are You Mindful of Your Mindset?
Our mindset develops every morning when we open our eyes and get out of bed. The new day is before us; we have a choice of what mindset we’ll have throughout the day. Have you noticed that when …
Olympic Moments: Focus and Press On
The focus of many of the conversations in our house has been the Olympic performances. How do athletes tuck their bodies to spin and flip off mats and platforms so skillfully? My brain would …
