Last week in the Growing Faith series, I wrote about the need for patience regarding your spiritual growth, especially as a new Christian. Sometimes it can be overwhelming when it seems like there is a checklist to complete. Thankfully all we need to remember is daily surrender and working toward loving God, ourselves, and others … Continue reading Growing Faith: Boundaries and the Bible
Growing Faith: Patience and Prayer
January. The time of year for new beginnings, a fresh start, and hope for change. Last month I wrote about opening the greatest gift we have ever been given, the gift of God’s Son,Jesus. We don’t deserve such a perfect gift, but God loves us and wanted a way for us to have a forever … Continue reading Growing Faith: Patience and Prayer
A Gift Left Unopened
I wasn’t until I was married that I found an appreciation for one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time. “A Christmas Story” is about a young boy named Ralphie with his heart set on receiving a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. Everyone in his life tells him “You’ll shoot your eye out” … Continue reading A Gift Left Unopened
Because of Love
The fourth week of advent brings us to the reason for it all. The purpose He came to us. The final purple candle is LOVE. A challenge I gave myself this past year was to read the Bible through from beginning to end. Not only read, but understand and take notes. I didn’t want to … Continue reading Because of Love
Joy Uncovered
In this third week of Advent, we light the pink candle that represents JOY. This week's advent candle may be the most difficult of all. A friend lost her husband suddenly last week. Another is grieving over the loss of a marriage. For some, this is the first holiday without a loved one. Family members … Continue reading Joy Uncovered
Live in Heavenly Peace
In this season of Advent, anticipating the birth of God's Son, the second candle represents Peace. Last week I wrote about the first candle, the candle of Hope. Has there ever peace in our world? I imagine it was when Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden of Eden, before they grasped that … Continue reading Live in Heavenly Peace
Hope in a Hopeless World
We are in the first week of advent. In the church, Advent means the weeks leading up to the birth of Christ. Often this is represented by lighting a candle, specifically purple in color, to signify the hope of the coming of Christ. In the Old Testament, God's people had strayed so far from Him. … Continue reading Hope in a Hopeless World
Rest: Orientation with God
Why does rest feel like something I have to earn? It is as if I have to see how many things I have checked off my list before I deserve rest. When God created the world, he created Adam and Eve on the 6th day. On the 7th, God rested and so did Adam and … Continue reading Rest: Orientation with God
Rest: The Gift of Sabbath
If you haven't figured it out yet, or you are joining me for the first time, I am on a journey to find more calm in my life. I am not alone in this journey, my husband was just away on a trip in the Alabama wilderness. He sent me an abundance of pictures as … Continue reading Rest: The Gift of Sabbath
Soul Rest
I don't think she realized the value of the gift she gave me. An author we both loved was speaking at a church in her town and my friend didn't hesitate to purchase tickets for the both of us. She didn't even ask me first. After almost 20 years, I guess she knows me well … Continue reading Soul Rest
