by | Life Application
Something to think about… Are you tired of falling through the cracks in life?
The other day I mentioned I wasn’t using my “no” muscle very well. I didn’t like having to admit that to you, so I’m doing something about it. You have permission to call me out if you don’t see me following through. The point is when I don’t set boundaries with my time and try to say “yes” to everything, other things fall through the cracks. That’s not okay.
(more…)
by | Life Application
I’ve been jotting down some ideas on what I want to accomplish in 2017 for the past few weeks. Usually after Christmas myself and a few friends sit down together to map out our goals and drams for the new year.
Here’s what I know I don’t want to happen. I don’t want a year of busyness without something tangible to show for it. Actually, that’s a trick statement. I believe if we live life so busy we don’t know which way we’re going, good fruit doesn’t come from that.
As you look back on 2016, how do you feel about the year overall? Did you see good fruit? Were you too busy? Did you get sidetracked on accomplishing your goals? Was life just way too much to keep up with?
Here’s a secret: Maybe you’re making it harder than it’s supposed to be.
(more…)
by | Life Application
Several weeks ago I attended the funeral of a family friend. As I sat there listening to the preacher honor her, my heart sank looking around the room. Less than 40 people showed up.
I looked at the pictures her family had pasted to the whiteboards standing around the room. She was smiling, of course. Each photograph portrayed beautiful memories of a life well lived – dancing, bowling, cooking, posing with grandkids and great-grandkids.
I knew there was no doubt a period of happiness in her life, those pictures proof of a joy-filled time in her life. But what I remembered about her wasn’t that season of her life. I remembered the bitter, broken heart that often spewed venomous words. As I looked at the pictures again I found myself wishing I could remember the happy memories.
(more…)
by | Life Application
With Thanksgiving approaching in just a few days, perhaps you’re thinking of all the extra things you’re thankful for – family, friends, your job, and Grandma’s banana pudding pie (maybe that’s just me).
But what happens when Thursday is over and the dedicated day to be thankful won’t come again for another year? Can we still have hearts of gratitude? Can we follow the advice of Paul in 1 Thessalonians and give thanks for everything? I hope so.
Have you ever wondered how some of the people who inspire you most stay so successful? So positive? I would bet for starters they view life with a heart of gratitude.
(more…)
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
Dear Dolly,
Isn’t it amazing how God is always putting the puzzle pieces of this life together, and often times it takes years before we even see how the pieces connect? Let me tell you a story.
I was eight years old, sitting around the kitchen table during a weekend visit to my dad’s house. I heard this unfamiliar voice come on the radio, and within seconds, my life was forever changed.
(more…)
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
She lie next to me in bed, speaking these words to me as she rubbed her fingers through my hair: “I wish I could tell you that you’ll wake up tomorrow and everything will be fixed, but I’d be lying. This is something you have to go through and I don’t know how long it’s going to take.”
I silently cried myself to sleep, 32 years old, with my mom sleeping by my side, wishing her words weren’t true. Wishing I could wake up and everything be fine. But I knew she was right. Sometimes I hate when my mother is right.
But I held onto her words, “This is something you have to go through.” I’m still holding onto them.
(more…)
