“Mommy, can I watch a show?” “Mommy, can I have this toy?” “Mommy, can I have a treat?” These are just a few of the questions I get asked by my children on a regular basis. Today, the answer to all three of these questions was no. Sometimes we think we can help the situation by explaining our reasoning process to our kids, but more […]
My heart goes out to all the parents of kids with life-threatening allergies. To the moms who have to double check every food label, triple check their purse or diaper bag for the inhaler or EpiPen, and live in fear over the what ifs. God does not want us to live in fear. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And […]
There is a reason why the first step in every 12-step recovery program, including Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and Alcoholics Anonymous, is for the individual to admit that they lack the power to overcome their addiction (1). There’s a reason why the second step is, “to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity” (1). This “Power greater than ourselves,” is […]
Over 40 million adults are diagnosed with some type of anxiety disorder, including panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety, and generalized anxiety (1). I was one of them. For a long time I had trouble focusing and “clearing my mind” of anxious thoughts. I worried about the future. I replayed past events over and over in my head. I thought about what I […]
“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 “I’m just not sure I really believe,” she admitted. “I’ve been going to church my entire life, but I’ve never had a ‘personal encounter’ with God. I don’t understand why certain things happen. I want to believe, but I just don’t know…” At the time, I wasn’t […]
This is a guest post by Lisa. Despite growing up in a loving, Christian home, she found herself faced with single motherhood and entangled in an abusive relationship. When the stress of caring for an autistic child, discovering infidelity in her marriage, and believing the lies of unworthiness came to a head, she had nowhere and no one to turn to but God. Her story tells of how […]
This is a guest post by Pam, who shares how her self-reliance and desire to feel financially secure prevented her from fully trusting God. When an unexpected turn of events forced her family to close down their business and declare bankruptcy, God revealed what it meant to fully rely on and trust in Him. Pam’s faith made it possible for her to persevere through a difficult time and for God to use her circumstances to transform her from self-reliant to God-reliant! Her story is a testament that true security comes not from our own efforts, but from our one true God.
As I sat on my daughter’s bed and read her the lyrics to “The Wedding March,” from her Disney’s Princess Stories book, I couldn’t help but wonder if this idealistic view of marriage was the reason why so many modern marriages fail. Here comes the bride All dressed in white Her dreams all come true On her wedding day. It’s your typical Disney Princess movie […]
There’s a simple quote, “In golf as in life it is the follow through that makes the difference.” (Anonymous) The difference between this time and every other time you have set goals, tried to achieve them, and given up is simply that – the follow through. It takes more than SMART goal setting to get to where you want to go. It takes more than motivation to […]
by Tonya Tobe On December 10, 2012, after several scans, biopsies, and ultrasounds, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Initially, I was mentally strong, which surprised the doctors and radiologist…but then the reality of my circumstances set in. I experienced a variety of emotions—first fear, then anger and confusion. I had been working diligently for the Lord, so I didn’t understand why He would allow […]
