Naturally a pessimistic and skeptical person, I’ve struggled to maintain my hold on joy. Life often feels like a grind we just survive through till we can get to eternity and really relax. Obviously, Christ didn’t promise us a life free from pain–quite the opposite actually–but even so, He offers us satisfaction and contentment, joy […]
Hope
Resurrection Art & Music: Ushering You In
By His wounds we are healed. I’ve always loved Ron DiCianni’s work, but this painting impacts me in a powerful way. He IS risen and holds the keys of death! “Oh, death, where is your sting? Oh, Hell, where is your victory? Oh […]
Misery, Party of One, Seeking Company
Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world. ~Helen Keller Last night I watched a show that involved a man named Charlie. Charlie had been working hard for a group of lawyers who treated him like a peon. He made their coffee runs […]
The Legal U-Turn: You Haven’t Gone too Far
Sometimes I reflect back on my early college days when I explored my boundaries a little too carelessly. Forgetting that choices always have consequences, I allowed myself to go down paths I knew were dead-ends…just to see what the journey might look like. Thankfully, my choices didn’t take me all the way to the edge. […]
When You Feel Like a Robot: Regaining Humanity Through Creativity
I grew up creating: writing stories, painting, and even tinkering around on the piano. Some people–my husband included–would claim a void of creative bones, but I disagree. Since we are made in the image of Almighty God, the Supreme Creator, we have the mirrored desires to create. And we shine His nature in us when […]
Diary of a Wimpy Woman: Here by Thy Great Help I’ve Come
Today I graded an essay by a student recounting the powerful experience of seeing God work in Brazil. Along with several other people, he prayed over the locals that were sick, deaf, and incapacitated, and by God’s great power, they were healed. One older man requested prayer and my student laid his hands on the […]
When You Feel Forgotten
This admission embarrasses me, but in an attempt to certify my understanding, I’ll share it: as a kid I craved popularity. I didn’t just desire to be one of the “in” chicks, but I wanted to be liked by everyone. I wanted my parents to enjoy me as well as my peers. Maybe I craved […]
Play It Again, Sam
I’m over at my mom’s house, introducing an 80’s movie to my kids. Though the VHS is old and cheesy, my children enjoy the adventure of the story and revel in the experience of watching something I did as a child. After the film is over, I snatch kids and put on shoes, trying to […]
Weekend Exhale: Fallen for You and Other Autumnal Puns
Although I love the bliss of summer days–swimming, sunshine and smoothies–I throw out the welcome mat for cooler temps. Come September, I’m done; bring on the crisp breeze and red leaves. Yes, I am one of those half-crazed women who drools over all things pumpkin, but I refrain from discussing my obsession on Facebook […]
Dear Tired One, Rest.
Last week I wrote a post, exploring some aspects of spiritual warfare (and how to fight it). Obviously, one can’t begin to span the depths in a few hundred words, but sometimes we just need a handlebar to grab into–some truth to motivate us onward. A friend thanked me for the reminders and I tried […]