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A Surprising Way to Cultivate Gratitude
It’s Thanksgiving–a celebration of joy, gratitude, family, and delicious food. And while I plan on spending time with loved ones and going into a turkey coma, I can’t help but think of those who are overlooked this season. You see, I know a woman whose teenage son died last weekend. Her heart is broken. I also know a family whose father is slowly dying of cancer. Their spirits are weary. Where is the Thanksgiving turkey for these people? Most of the time we struggle to find gratitude in our everyday lives (myself included). How does remembering these hurting souls help us in cultivating a heart of gratitude? The Calling The…
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How to Find Healing In a Sick World
Yesterday was one of the those days where I just couldn’t win. No matter what I did, I could barely get out of bed. Walking was difficult and concentrating took all of the energy I had. My body refused to cooperate with my mind, but I still pressed on. This is my life with POTS right now. I say “right now” because I believe God’s healing power is at work in me. But I can’t deny the reality that although my body is healthy, it doesn’t work the way it should. Isn’t it strange how when you’re sick, the feeling leaks into all areas of your life? Work and school…
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The Bare Bones of Worship
Life can be stressful. Correction–life is more like a vortex of stress, busyness, joy, and difficulty all mixed together. Even the good times can be overwhelming and just darn distracting. All of these distractions can easily affect our worship. Some distractions are mundane–social media, kids, work, and T.V. But what about the hard times? What about the giants of life such as sick family members, finals, or financial worries? These giants can become so big, that they distract us from God even in our worship. This happens when our problems become bigger than the God of our lives. I love to worship and praise to music, and I am blessed…
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The Secret to Joy
When I was a little girl, my grandma taught me the song “I got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart!” I would sing it back, knowing that God gave joy to my heart. How much did I really know God’s joy? Hardly at all compared to what I know now. There is a secret key to always having happiness and joy down in your heart. It’s more than just a choice or attitude adjustment, and it’s not hard to do. So what is this secret to everlasting joy? Having a heart of praise. That’s right– praise God! In my church I have made some awesome and joyful…
Helping Women Find Their Identity in the One Who Gave All for Them
