Test or Temptation? April showers bring May flowers . . . unless you’re a student. Students are not thinking about flowers in May. They’re thinking about tests. Final exams: the bane of every student. And whether they like it or not, the point of the tests is...
When Bible Reading Becomes Discouraging Discouragement is real. And often the easiest time to become discouraged is during your own Bible reading. As you read the Bible, have you or a loved one ever thought, I’ll never measure up to these giants of the faith. How do...
How Much Storage Do We Need? It doesn’t matter how many garage sales I have, how many bags I donate, or how many full trash cans I cart to the curb. The stuff in my closets multiplies behind closed doors like proverbial rabbits. And I’m not the only one dealing...
Trusting God: Reluctant Resignation or Joyful Choice? Do you trust God because you have no choice or because you choose to? Does God’s sovereignty—His powerful, authoritative control— mean you have to trust Him? I recently experienced a breakthrough during my...
From Physical to Spiritual Spring Cleaning It’s officially spring . . finally. Then again, spring means different things to different people. Yes, it heralds warmer weather, but “warm” is relative, depending on your location. Apart from changes in the outside...
Can We Really Control Our Thoughts? The brief thought leaves as quickly as it came. By the time I realize what happened, it had disappeared. But when the thought returned, it lingered and I dwelled on it a few moments longer. Then I found myself rationalizing...
Celebrating Victory in Christ When you think of victory in Christ, what comes to mind? For many of us, we think of victory over death. Eternal life with God. New bodies. No sin or even the presence of temptation. But did you know your eternal life has...
Exercise Your Faith Muscles Exercise and I have a tenuous relationship at best. I want to work out, but several discs in my lower back limit what I can do. Now I could say that since I can’t do most types of exercise, there’s no point in trying. I am what I am,...
“What If” or “Even If”? Why is it easier to focus on the negative? On every fear-inducing “what if”? Yes, the world can be a scary place . . . and it shows no sign of improving. Of course, it doesn’t help that my default reaction is to ask, What if things get...
Aging Gracefully Is it possible to age gracefully? What does that even mean? Facebook is great about reminding me of friends’ upcoming birthdays. And yesterday, one friend posted about her eldest daughter’s 17th birthday. Seventeen? I first met her when she was...
When Does God Give Grace? I’ve lost count of the times I’ve wished I knew the future, or at least a few aspects...
A Message Worth Repeating What do you do when you have an important message to communicate? If you’re like me,...
Don’t Believe the Lies “It’s only a black racer,” I said in a matter-of-fact voice to a nervous neighbor as...