I suspect that most folks thought life would have settled back into somewhat normal by now. Instead, COVID numbers are rising again, schools are already cancelling classes, and the chasm between differing opinions widens. The level of stress, for many, is through the roof. Add to that the hurricanes wreaking havoc and the… [ read more ]
Posts Tagged: choices
Why Do Our Choices Matter?
John Donne was an English clergyman and poet who lived from 1572-1631. He’s the fellow who coined the well-known phrase, “No man is an island unto himself.” Wise, guy, he was. He understood that the choices we make impact not only ourselves but also those around us. Take Rahab, for instance. She’s the… [ read more ]
3 Truths about Finding Joy
How do you define joy? My favorite definition is one by Kay Warren: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.” This… [ read more ]
Choosing Joy in Life’s Hard Places
An oldie goldie song says, ‘The beat goes on, and the beat goes on.” I feel as though the lyrics describe the pandemic lockdown. I’m ready to listen to a new song, but this one hasn’t finished playing yet, and I can’t change it. What to do? On the days when I feel like… [ read more ]
5 Ways to Find Calm in Crisis
I receive several emails every day from people in crisis. Circumstances vary, of course, and so does severity, but the crises fall into categories: illness—their own or a loved one’s, spousal betrayal, a child’s struggle with addictions, a breakdown in family relationships, job layoffs, losses from a natural disaster, and more. Isolation is a big… [ read more ]
The Significance of an Overlooked 3-Letter Word
I find it’s easy to blow past little words when reading my Bible. One of those words is “all.” Several times in the past week, it jumped off the page at me as if to say, “I’m small but significant. Pay attention to me!” One encounter with this wee word was in —“Trust… [ read more ]
Jonah and the Pandemic
What will Christmas look like for you? We had plans to celebrate Christmas this weekend with our son and our youngest daughter and their families, but pandemic restrictions changed everything. We’ve canceled those plans and will be home alone until the restrictions lift. I suspect that most of you are in the same… [ read more ]
How to Remain Hope-filled and Thankful
Numerous articles about giving thanks have appeared in my inbox this week. So have articles that speak to COVID fatigue and weariness, especially in light of increased restrictions. Illness, isolation, financial stress, increased domestic violence, and loss have taken a toll. We’re all wondering when this will end, and we’re all wishing it will end… [ read more ]
When You Feel Depleted
I’ll be honest—I’m feeling a tad depleted. A culmination of things have led me to this place, the most significant being my mother’s death and the necessary busyness during the eight weeks prior. But add to that the craziness of 2020, right? You know what I mean. The pandemic has ripped away normalcy… [ read more ]
How the Pandemic is Offering Us a Fresh Start
Chuck Swindoll writes, “When the sovereign God brings us to nothing, it is to reroute our lives, not to end them. Human perspective says, ‘Aha, you’ve lost this, you’ve lost that. You’ve caused this, you’ve caused that. You’ve ruined this, you’ve ruined that.’ But God says, ‘No. No. It’s time to reroute your life…. [ read more ]
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