We live in a time of war. Israel and Palestine. Russia and Ukraine. Several countries are in civil war: Myanmar, Yemeni, Somali, and Syrian. Will America be next? As if all the fighting nations are not enough, we’re also battling with our health, both physical and mental. Our hearts and our heads are at war. Satan must feel mighty proud right about now. He has managed to not only take our eyes off Jesus but pit us against one another... Read more
What are Relationships? Relationships are the way in which two or more objects, concepts, or people connect. They come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. They can be acquaintances we see occasionally that come and go in each season, or they can last a lifetime. Some, we are born into while others we choose. Relationships can form between neighbors, coworkers, strangers, the unseen world, and even pets. They can be healthy and delightful, or they can be toxic and life-threatening.... Read more
Hurt people hurt. Let’s face it, we’re all people hurting from one ailment or another. I’ve had my share of being hurt by others. I’ve witnessed mean girl behavior, been on the receiving end of damaging banter, betrayed by loved ones and supervisors, and been bullied more times than I care to remember. The only way to not be consumed by others’ hurtfulness is to befriend Forgiveness. But How Do You Forgive What You Cannot Forget? I listened to podcasts... Read more
Why God? I have no idea why we walk with Pain, hold hands with Suffering, or witness firsthand the presence of Anxiety – she’s nothing but a bully. But I bet my life that if we keep an open mind and have a vulnerable, open, and honest conversation with God, we will find Peace and come out stronger on the other side. Pain, Suffering, and Anxiety are not all bad. They can be great reminders of someone we once loved... Read more
July 4, 1776 Independence Day occurred when thirteen colonies declared independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776. This was meant to separate from a tyrant leader who gave little freedom to his people. “The Americans saw a pattern of increasing oppression and corruption happening all around the world” (quote from The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of independent is to not depend on or not be subject to control by others. It is... Read more
Continued from last week… Over the next few days, weeks, and months, Faith worked hard at sneaking into the building before anyone else arrived so she could secretly place “love notes” on Maria’s desk. She discovered Maria’s favorite candy, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and might have left a few with each note. Every note left gave Faith a boost of confidence and an attitude adjustment. But was she making a difference? “Okay, God. Am I mistaken or did you call... Read more
Faith kicked her feet up onto the hickory window seat her husband built and placed under the loft window years before. She rocked back in the soft, over-stuffed maroon Lazy Boy chair and stared out at the ponderosa pine forest she called her backyard. “Why do some of us experience emotions so deep from a bottomless well while others go through life never having seen the well?” She spoke out loud to God. She had never heard him audibly before,... Read more
Too Sick to Perform I needed to get ready. As I peeled myself out of bed and moved toward the hotel bathroom, in came screaming, giggling young ladies. Wet hair and tee shirts clinging to their wet bodies, told the story of fun at the pool. Waifs of chlorine filled the air. I excused myself to the hall to let them prepare for tonight’s Princess banquet and headed to the neighboring room where the other moms were gathered. Knock. Knock.... Read more
Strive for Perfection Settle on Excellence You don’t have to be perfect to be used by God. Lord knows He would never use me if that weren’t true. I am only 4’ 11” tall and was diagnosed with hypothyroid in 2001 which comes with a whole slew of other issues, I battle with Anxiety, Doubt, Fear, Shame, and Guilt often and tend to withdraw into the cave of procrastination when they don’t leave. I have more flaws than I care... Read more
Your words matter. They can affect many living things around you. Did you know they can even affect and influence water? Yes, I said water! “Water is a colorless, transparent, odorless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms.”-Webster Dr. Masaru Emoto, a Japanese author and researcher, performed a series of experiments on water with negative and positive influences. He collected water into two containers, placing them in similar... Read more
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