"Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Because we live in this fallen world, we will have moments when we look back with sorrow and look around in worry. It's a natural reaction to the heartaches we face. When we first moved to West Texas, everyone was so friendly. Complete… Continue reading Faith Looks Up: Scripture Writing Plan November 2020
Tag: joy
Reasons to Rejoice: Scripture Writing Plan September 2020
You may not think we have a lot of reasons to rejoice in the mess that is 2020. However, if the writer of Philippians can write an entire letter of encouragement from a prison cell, can't we rejoice too? Don't you think our joy should be based on more than circumstances?
Joy Inexpressible: December 2019 Scripture Writing Plan
During this festive season, one of the buzzwords you'll see on ornaments, t-shirts, and farmhouse chic boards is "joy." We are surrounded and bombarded with this concept of "joy," particularly as we gear up to celebrate Christmas, but do we as Christians understand joy? Do we grasp what it means to "rejoice always"? When the… Continue reading Joy Inexpressible: December 2019 Scripture Writing Plan
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?
Scripture Writing Plan for December: A Joyful Heart
Whether you are reveling in the joys of this season, or (like me) struggle with the limited sunlight and pressures accompanying Christmas, it is my sincere hope that this focus on a joyful heart will uplift you this month. We have the hope of eternal life through Christ Jesus, and that knowledge should sustain us through whatever griefs or delights we endure in this life.
I am Thankful for You!
When I began this little blogging adventure in early 2015, I did not know what to expect. I felt compelled to write, as there were (and still are) so many misconceptions about God, the Bible, the truth, and Jesus, within the church and the world. I anticipated criticism. I expected it to be difficult. What… Continue reading I am Thankful for You!
A New Life Has Begun!
Praise the Lord with me, my friends—a new life has begun! Late last night, our middle daughter came to us and said she wanted to be baptized. Her heart has pondered this decision for quite some time. She has done lots of bible reading on her own and asked us to explain sin, baptism, and… Continue reading A New Life Has Begun!
Patience, Even When Suffering Doesn’t Make Sense
Suffering is frequently linked with the word "why." Why do we suffer? Why does God allow suffering? Why me? Suffering triggers an immediate desire to understand why. When sin entered the world suffering came along for the ride. We have seasons of peace, seasons of prosperity, and seasons of pain. Even in the good seasons,… Continue reading Patience, Even When Suffering Doesn’t Make Sense
A Different Kind of Birthday
I've been immersed in birthday plans this week. My son is turning seven very soon and has spent most of the month counting the days and weeks until he can have a party with his friends. I've got a piñata drying on my dining room table, cake ingredients on the counter, and a little boy… Continue reading A Different Kind of Birthday
Depression: What it is and How to Fight Back
Most people think depression is purely a state of mind. Are they right?
Elihu's Corner 