I’ve seen phrases like “thankful” or “grateful” or “blessed” on t-shirts, jewelry, hashtags and more. It’s great that people are proclaiming these attitudes, but it takes more than a catch-phrase to have a truly thankful heart. Can I give thanks when my heart is broken? Can I be thankful when my finances are shot to… Continue reading Choosing Thankfulness
Tag: God
Be Prepared
"...in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in… Continue reading Be Prepared
Have you forgotten?
On this day, 18 years ago, I was preparing to go to a chiropractor’s appointment when our phone rang—not the cell phone, but the cordless landline. (Cell phones were still something we only used if we didn't have access to a landline.) My dad called to tell us that someone had blown up the World… Continue reading Have you forgotten?
The Beauty of God’s Word: July 2019 Scripture Writing Plan
Psalm 119 centers on God's word---it's beauty, power, value, quality---and it will be our focus in this month's scripture writing. Because we love God, we treasure the words He has inspired and preserved for our benefit. The creation declares His glory, wisdom, and majesty, but His word gives us insight into His plan for mankind, His righteous nature, and His steadfast love for us.
God Will Get You Through This
When our valleys last longer than expected, the people we expect to be with us grow fewer and farther between. Take, for instance, the long road of grief. When we lose someone, there is an instant outpouring of support. The refrigerator fills with meals. Phones vibrate with texts. The ads in the mailbox get outnumbered by sympathy cards. The scent of lilies and roses permeates every nook and cranny of our home. Our front door becomes a revolving door as people come and go in order to sit with us, and possibly cry with us. Within a few weeks (or even days), the flow of support slows to a trickle. Life moves on, but the grief does not. And that, my friends, is one of many such valleys. Take heart, God will get you through your valley.
Truth: Who decides what is Right and Wrong?
Before we can have an intelligent discussion about hot-button issues, we must establish that there is a standard for truth, and that such a standard is far greater and more reliable than popular opinion.
How Do I Read Through the Book of Numbers?
Numbers is the fourth book in the Old Testament, in the section known as either the Pentateuch, The Torah, or The Books of Moses. The majority of scholars agree that it was written by Moses through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Like Leviticus, there are passages which may seem dry or insignificant, and yet there is much to be learned in this section of the Bible. How do we read through it?
Three Things Anxious People Should ask For in Prayer
"Hello, my name is Elihu and I am a control-aholic. It's been 24 hours since my last surge of anxiety and 3 days since I felt the need to control a situation."
For control-aholics, the urge to regulate every piece of our world damages our relationships---particularly our relationship with the Father. Anxiety and anger become our constant companions as we fight to regulate every aspect of our life.
It's time for a change.
Rest, Refuge, and Peace: Scripture Writing Plan April 2019
As I was visiting with a friend yesterday afternoon, we started talking vacations. Since having kids, I have felt as though vacations are more work than they are relaxing. More than once, I would have preferred to stay home so I could actually rest. Have you ever felt the same? While we live on this earth, work… Continue reading Rest, Refuge, and Peace: Scripture Writing Plan April 2019
How important is my happiness?
"I needed to be happy, so I ____________________." How many different ways do people fill in this blank? "...left my spouse." "...quit my job." "...stopped going to church." "...aborted my child." "...drank my sorrows away." "...took some "me" time" How would you fill in the blank? Or, would you even say this at all? There… Continue reading How important is my happiness?
Elihu's Corner 