This week’s Memory Verse is super easy to memorize and super difficult to live. Here it is:
“Always be joyful.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NLT)
Three simple words. Close your eyes and say it to yourself. See? You already have it memorized.
But how do we live it? And what does it really even mean?
When a child dies, are we supposed to be joyful? ... Read More
Is there anybody in your life you’d be okay with God sort of “forgetting” to save?
It’s not like you intentionally wish ill-will on them (or maybe you do), it’s just that they have pulled one too many punches. They’ve hurt you or the one you love too many times to be forgiven.
Or maybe it’s a group of people. Child molesters. ... Read More
My seven-year-old son crawled into the chair next to me yesterday morning. It was early, I was spending some time with God, but Ben decided he wanted to spend some time with me.
We sat there, the three of us (God, Ben and me), in one comfy little chair with a blanket tucked around us when Ben asked me a question.
Mom, ... Read More
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you ... Read More
I’m sure this article has nothing to do with you. It’s about difficult people. You might want to keep reading though, because you probably know a few folks in your life who fit the description.
A difficult person is someone who constantly seems to give their opinion— loudly— even when you haven’t asked for it; someone who has to complain about ... Read More
I would never take a stroll with an artist through his studio and start judging his work.
Can you imagine? Walking along and commenting to the one who created each canvas, saying, “Oh, that one is lovely… but that one really sucks… I love the colors you used in this one… but man that one is stupid.”
We wouldn’t do that, right?
And ... Read More
I’m a project starter. How about you?
A project starter is a person who gets all excited about cleaning her closet. She throws everything onto the bed and sorts through it by making three piles (give, save, toss).
She puts the “give” and “toss” into black garbage bags, then walks out of the room because she decides she is hungry.
Several hours later, ... Read More
The Bible tells us not to fear something like 365 times— one time for every day of the year. Some theologians argue that’s not exactly true, but it sounds good so I’m going with it.
Actually it doesn’t really matter to me exactly how many times we’ve been told. I’m a mom, so I figure if I’ve said it once, that’s ... Read More
Have you ever thought, I’m almost there! Only to realize that you’ve still got so far to go?
I went to a waterpark recently. I’m a big believer in amusement parks with roller coasters. Waterslides, not so much.
My son, Charlie, is a fan of all things fast and tall, so I put on my three piece swimming suit (top, bottom and ... Read More
Have you ever had to sell yourself? Maybe in a resume? Or face-to-face with a perspective employer?
We’re expected to brag about all the great attributes we hold and accomplishments we’ve accrued.
It’s terribly hard, isn’t it?
I remember going into my boss as a young TV reporter and asking for a raise. He asked why I thought I deserved it. My mind ... Read More
