Category: Christianity

Rain Rain Go Away! Giveaway Blog Hop

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Spring is a time of renewal, when everything is bright and fresh. Trees begin to bud, perennials push their colorful heads out of the ground, and the grass turns from a dry, course yellow to a soft, vibrant green. Spring is the rainy season in many parts of the world, and we are no exception here in Oklahoma. Our rainy season often consists of storms, with mighty strikes of lightening, rolling thunder, and the occasional tornado. But without rain, none of the growth of spring would happen.

To celebrate the advent of spring, I’m joining The Kids Did It blog and The Mommy Island blog to participate in the 3rd Annual Rain Rain Go Away! Giveaway Event, which runs from April 10, 2018, to April 24, 2018. The winner of this giveaway will receive a $15 Amazon gift card.  Continue reading “Rain Rain Go Away! Giveaway Blog Hop” →

The Hope of Easter

Posted on by Staci Mauney

 

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Mt 28:6)

Each year, I shop for a new Easter dress, knowing that the weather will probably be too cold to wear it without a sweater, especially if the dress is sleeveless. It seems we almost always have one last cold snap here in Oklahoma over Easter weekend. But I enjoy wearing dresses, and Easter provides the perfect opportunity to buy a new one as new, fresh styles become available for the spring and summer seasons. Continue reading “The Hope of Easter” →

Developing Deep Roots

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jer 17:7-8)

Most of Oklahoma, but especially the area in southwestern Oklahoma where I grew up, is experiencing extreme drought right now. Less than a year ago, we had one of the wettest summers on record. It rained so much that I couldn’t keep up with the yard work. When it finally stopped raining long enough for me to mow, the thick grass was so tall and wet from the rain that it was hard to get the mower through it. Continue reading “Developing Deep Roots” →

Finding Balance

Posted on by Staci Mauney

 

“She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made…” (Luke 10:39-40)

I often get so distracted by the busyness of work and meeting all the obligations I’ve signed up for – things like volunteering at church, for Bible study, for my state writing association, and for a local senior center – that I lose focus of the important things in my life – namely, the people. Continue reading “Finding Balance” →

Battling the Winter Blues

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Th 5:11)

The long, cold winter and gray skies were bringing me down. It seemed winter would never end, and this year my seasonal affective disorder (SAD-an apt acronym if ever there was one) has been triggered more often than in many recent years. The older I get, the more I hate cold weather, which is common of many of us who have SAD. The combination of cold, gray skies, and short days is enough to send me into a spiral of irritability and sadness. I try to keep those feelings to myself so that I won’t damage my relationships, but my friends and family who know me best are aware of how I feel and try to encourage me and talk me through it. Continue reading “Battling the Winter Blues” →