“Her children arise and call her blessed…” (Proverbs 31:28)
Mother’s Day is always a good time to acknowledge the women who have influenced me the most. Throughout my life, I’ve had many examples of what a strong Christian woman looks like. My family tree is filled with women who have helped me learn more about Jesus and grow stronger in my faith, and I also have a lot of friends who have been good examples. Continue reading “A Strong Influence”
This post appeared previously on February 28, 2021.
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (Mt. 22:37)
In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first proclamation to make February American Heart Month. With the ongoing, global COVID pandemic, paying attention to our heart health carries even more importance since the virus impacts the heart. Continue reading “The Heart: What Makes Us Who We Are”
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (John 15:12)
Years ago, I attended a small Baptist church in my hometown. When I say “small,” I mean that we had about fifteen to twenty regular attendees. I was by far the youngest attendee—by about twenty years.
One year, the women of the church decided to hold a Valentine’s Day dinner. They fixed lasagna, salad, and breadsticks—yum.
But I wasn’t going to go. I thought it wasn’t for me because I was recently divorced, and honestly, the last thing I wanted to do was celebrate love.
Eventually, I changed my mind. I don’t remember who convinced me. Maybe it was my mom, or maybe it was my aunt, who played the piano at church and helped organize the dinner. Both of them knew I didn’t need to be sitting around by myself, moping the night away. Continue reading “The Valentine’s Day Dinner”
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Cor. 5:17)
The new year brings with it the promise of a clean slate, with greater things yet to come. Each year as the calendar turns over, we hear refrains of “new year, new you” echoing everywhere—in ads on TV, on the radio, and on social media. Bloggers write about ways you can make changes and make a fresh start as the new year rolls around.
The problem with this is that we don’t leave our problems behind just because the date on the calendar has changed. Difficult situations that we faced on December 31 are still there on January 1. Continue reading “New Year, New You”
This excerpt is from my devotional, Echoes of Joy: A Thankful Heart.
Day 10
Offering a Sacrifice of Praise
“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” (Heb. 13:15)
For most of us, being carefree comes easily when we’re kids. But as adults, we face adult problems, such as difficult bosses, paying the bills, and raising kids or taking care of aging parents. We deal with devastating health diagnoses, job losses, estrangements, and pandemics. Those problems steal our joy and make giving thanks more difficult.
Even Jesus struggled to accept God’s plan for him. When he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he poured out his pain to God. And yet, he still prayed for God’s will to be done.
Jesus’s example shows us that it’s possible to be thankful even when facing the most difficult circumstances. It doesn’t mean we’re thankful for the situation, but that we’re thankful in spite of it. When we open our hearts to let in gratitude, we let go of stress and striving.
Offering up praise when you don’t feel like it is a choice. Praising God in good times is easy; praising him during difficult times is a sacrifice. This sacrifice of praise comes from a humble heart that has decided to praise God no matter the circumstances. Real praise flows continuously, in both good times and in bad.
When we offer a sacrifice of praise, we choose to believe God is still good even when life isn’t. When we praise God in spite of the storms, we choose to honor him, and our faith grows deeper.
Dear Jesus, thank you for providing an example of how to praise God even when things are not going my way. Help me offer praise and thanksgiving to you no matter how difficult my situation is. Amen.