I know that the holidays are not always joyous or easy for everyone, especially for those of us that have lost a loved one recently.  For me, the reality of this loss becomes strikingly more apparent as we gather with friends and family, and the one that has “always been there” no longer is.  Reflecting on what causes this extra portion of grief, I can only come to the conclusion that the “missing...  Read More

A phrase popped into my head at the beginning of the year, as my husband and I were talking about annual goals. We had landed on healthy living, eating right and getting active again, to steward well the resource that is our bodies. As I was thinking about milestones to keep us motivated the phrase popped in, loss is gain. My desire was for us to view the hard things about losing weight as positiv...  Read More

Who taught you to tie your shoes? Where did you learn about shaking hands confidently and looking someone in the eyes to show respect? Who was it that taught you how to wash dishes or to brush your teeth? We learn these valuable skills from watching and walking alongside people who have more experience than we do.In the beginning of Titus chapter 2 we see instructions given to the church that the ...  Read More

I keep hearing people near my age saying, "Whoever called these the golden years surely did not know what they were talking about."  Well, as in all seasons of life, there are things that we perceive to be good and those that we perceive as bad.  But Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose".  ...  Read More

Have you ever been overwhelmed with the circumstances of life that you find yourself  in? Maybe today feels like too much. Your to-do list is too long, the house too loud or  too quiet, and your soul too tired to take even one more step. Maybe you are parenting  young children on a hard day quietly whispering “I can’t do this,” in the bathroom  through tears. Maybe you are balancing doctor appoint...  Read More

1 Timothy 4:12 – “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”We live in a world that constantly tells us what’s important. A world that demands our attention and time—from screens and sports to home projects, careers, and even good things like Christian podcasts or inspirational content onlin...  Read More