So, we're one week in ... how is everyone doing? Can you believe you've already read two books of the Bible this summer? A few people have asked me why I'm breaking the reading into three sections per day. Basically, it boils down to this: I need to have a forced stop in my day. I don't know about you but I get so busy and consumed with the various tasks at hand that it's not uncommon for me to read my Bible in the morning and then barely give it a thought the rest of the day. This ... [Read More]
10 Tips for a Meaningful Christmas
Christmas is less than a week away. Based on the Facebook status updates racing through my feed, the theme of these last few days is RUSH. Rush to buy. Rush to wrap. Rush to bake. Rush to give. Rush to clean. Rush to pack. Rush to go. Rush. It's hard to find meaningful when you are rushing. {Honestly, it's hard to find the car keys in the midst of the rush!} Somehow Advent - the season of anticipation - has become Accelerate - the season of too many irons in the fire. Perhaps, Dr. ... [Read More]
Have Yourself a {Mary} Little Christmas – Introduction
Not all women are Marthas, but even women who aren't generally become Marthas at Christmas. How else would Christmas get done if it weren't for us. ~ Brenda Poinsett Gift-buying. Menu-making. Present-wrapping. Cookie-baking. House-decorating. Tree-trimming. Party-hosting. Photo-taking. No-sleeping. It's the most wonderful time of the year! And the most exhausting. Whether we busy ourselves with Jesse Trees and Advent wreaths or Santa Claus and The Nutcracker Suite or some combination of ... [Read More]
{Joy Day 26} Rejoice in the Lord Always
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7, emphasis added Some days it is just hard to rejoice. The dryer breaks, the children fight, the rain ... [Read More]
{Joy Day 13} God Who Works in You
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13, emphasis added This might be the most joyous phrase in Scripture: God who works in you {me}. Every morning I make my to do list and every evening I realize all I didn't accomplish ... as a wife, a mom, a friend, a teacher, a ... [Read More]
