Imagine setting out for a hike on a beautiful day. You have all the necessities for nourishment and survival - snacks, water, pocket knife, a first aid kit, flashlight, cell phone, etc. But —JUST IN CASE— you also decided to pack your favorite magazines,...
I knew I shouldn’t do it. I had that icky feeling in my stomach like I was doing something wrong. Yet, I still did it. I gave in. Temptation. What about it makes us want to do what we know we shouldn't do? Temptation is like the trailer to a movie. It gives you just...
I love gardening. I love helping bring something to life, nurturing it, and watching it flourish. I am not particularly great at gardening though. Any improvement I’ve had has come through the school of hard knocks: a plant I put in the wrong soil, a plant placed in...
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 Jesus. My husband and three children. Our health. Good friends. My mom’s sobriety. Our home. Being self-employed alongside my husband. Homeschooling our children....
Thoughtfulness is high on my list of what makes me feel loved. When a friend or family member remembers something I enjoy and gifts it to me, I feel so blessed. I cherish the remembrance like a gift in itself. But, in contrast, forgetfulness can sting. When someone...
And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18 (The Passion Translation). Most folks reading this passage are a thankful bunch. We wouldn’t dream of praying without including...
I am... a woman. I am... a daughter. I am... a wife. I am... a mother. Although these titles are good in and of themselves, they cannot compare to my ultimate identity as a child of God. So why then do I still sometimes have an identity crisis?...
When most people think about dropping some weight, it usually refers to the need to lose a few pounds. Today, we aren’t talking about losing physical weight, but rather emotional and spiritual weight. In episode 31 of our podcast Living the Reclaimed Life,...
I have struggled with various illnesses since I was a young child. I have a low immune system and sicknesses that would be mild in most people caused me to spend much time in hospitals running fevers and having seizures. As an adult, I found out that I had cancer,...