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Compare and Contrast: Comparing Yourself To Others
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6 NIV) As the Black Friday, pre-Christmas, and post-Christmas sales taper, let me ask you. Have you done some comparison shopping? I don’t mean finding the best deal on anything and everything Frozen or on the latest iProduct. I mean comparing yourself to others. This fall…
Read More How to Handle Stress
Lights. Everywhere. From neon signs to Christmas decorations, the holiday season bursts forth in light. And yet, darkness presses. Stress as we try to get everything done. Human frailty in illness and old age. Mental and emotional strain from relationships. From students cramming for exams to moms in full holiday swing, pressure throws its weight…
Read More Making the Impossible Possible
Impossible. That’s how I’m feeling as I stare down Christmas. Our son’s November wedding (which was awesome) was immediately followed by Granny’s hospital visit, a move for Granny from the retirement centre to a higher level of care, and a second move to a nursing home with a higher level of security, and a second…
Read More My Christmas Wish: The Gift of Prophecy
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy . . . But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort.” (1 Corinthians 14:1, 3 NIV) So, this is it. After last week’s intro on spiritual gifts, I promised to share the gift I hoped…
Read More Spiritual Gifts for Christmas
A stack of Christmas catalogs sits on my table. Torn pages. Dog-eared corners. I flip through them searching for “keepers,” as I shop for friends and family. Have you flipped through God’s catalog? He has one—and He gives like no other. Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Ephesians catalog the gifts of the Spirit: Apostleship …
Read More How to Trust God: 4 Lessons From My Dog
“Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.” (Psalm 19:13 NIV) My dog Mizuno has a love-hate relationship with the leash. He loves the leash because it means he’s going somewhere, hopefully for a run and not to the vet. He…
Read More Nurturing Your Relationship with Jesus
My son gets married this month. Our first child to do so. Today I got the link for their engagement pictures. Lovesick, sappy, but so darn cute I can’t stop looking at them. While in California this weekend, I watched my future daughter-in-law navigate the to-dos of the wedding list. We’re engaged too, you know.…
Read More 4 Tips for Reducing Stress
I have three part-time jobs, writer, Master’s student, and mom, so time is of the essence. Too often I feel anxiety’s claws creeping up my neck, digging into my shoulders, and tying knots in the muscle fibers, leaving aches and pains behind. So, how to untie the knots anxiety leaves? Try these tips for reducing…
Read More 3 Reasons for Prayer
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a…
Read More Spiritual PT
Physical Therapy. Pain with a purpose. I’m Granny’s chauffeur to PT each week. She goes in happy. She comes out nearly cussing and swearing she’ll never go back. Enter dementia’s silver lining because Granny will forget it all before her next appointment. Bottom line? She’s tired, sore, and sick of the process. Darn it if…
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