“I really need a friend.” Have you ever thought you could really use a friend? Maybe you prayed for the Lord to send you a friend in a new city, job, group or church. Since our family spent over thirty-five years in full-time church ministry and lived in different towns and states, friendship became somewhat of a lifeline. So I usually prayed for at least one friend at each new place. Have you ever prayed that the Lord would send you a friend? Early in our marriage, we Continue Reading
Mary’s Christmas Story {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Do you love to hear a good story? I enjoy stories passed down through generations and in literature. And I’m especially fond of stories told as first-hand accounts of actual events. But what about the Christmas story? Have you read the Christmas story in the Bible? How have others told the story? I wonder how Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus, felt and experienced the birth of the Christ child. Or, what it was like to see Jesus grow into a man and fulfill His Continue Reading
Growing Grateful Hearts {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
It’s that time of year. We know how the season is supposed to go down. Besides pumpkin pie and turkey, we are encouraged to cultivate attitudes of gratitude. Something accomplished by growing grateful hearts. Such as these attitudes: Count our blessings. Be thankful. Express our gratefulness. Show our generosity. And when we look at this list, do we think of our lives, our family, and more importantly, our God? So how do we cultivate attitudes of gratitude in all the Continue Reading
Where Hope Lives {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Have you ever looked for real hope? What if we knew where true hope lives? Pointing out the window to a community in the country, I exclaimed: “Teresa, my friend from high school lives there.” Another friend and I were traveling during the early morning hours to attend a conference near the town where I grew up. It’s interesting to know where friends or people we meet live and work and worship. But what if we knew hope's address? Because life’s hurts, heartaches and Continue Reading
Know Jesus and Make Him Known {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
How can we know Jesus more intimately? During my early years of being a Christ-follower, I missed an important aspect of the Christian life. Christ not only desires I know Him as Savior and Lord, but also that I continue to grow in knowing Him more intimately on a daily basis. Because this is the only way to let Christ live in and through my life, and for others to see Jesus in me. Eventually, this became my mission statement for my speaking, writing, and blogging Continue Reading
How Not to Go on Guilt Trips {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
We weren’t created to go on guilt trips. But we learned to send ourselves and each other on these unpleasant excursions because sin entered the world. First, let’s look at desirable trips. Maybe a planned or spontaneous travel schedule. Perhaps our favorite vacation spots. Possibly, places familiar or unknown. Or, traveling abroad. And a voyage by sea. Also, guided tours, historical landmarks, the mountains, a natural wonder, the beach, tropical climates, and soaring Continue Reading
