Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Prov. 19:21)
Many years ago now, I learned about the word of the year challenge through a radio program. I looked into it and decided I wanted to try for myself and see if choosing a word to focus on would help me grow closer to God. It did. Continue reading “Flourish: My Word for 2023”
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16–17)
Having a new puppy means I spend a lot of my time training him. We’re working on potty training, walking on a leash, staying calm at mealtimes, and not nipping when he plays or wants attention.
A lot goes into training a puppy, and I know I can’t do it all on my own. Until Charlie has all his puppy vaccines, I can’t take him to a professional trainer, and I want to do what I can to help him establish good habits before the bad ones become his normal behavior. To do this, I watch YouTube videos, read articles, and talk to friends who have dogs. Continue reading “Training Charlie”
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph. 2:8–9)
When I was in the eighth grade, a new basketball coach came to my school. He was young, and the community had high hopes for what he would do for our team. His style of coaching brought out the best in us—and in me. He saw potential in me, and he would often stay after practice to give me extra help. He taught me how to shoot a proper layup and how to develop a rhythm for free throws. Years later, as a senior, that training paid off when I became number eight in the state of Oklahoma for free throw percentage. Continue reading “Try Harder”
“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” (Ps. 71:5)
Several months ago, my workload increased to the point where I was working upwards of ten to twelve hours a day, seven days a week, consistently for almost four months. While I was excited that my business was doing so well, working those kinds of hours took a toll. I let a number of things slide—things like my blogs and social media posts and my next cozy mystery—things I had worked hard to build but didn’t have time to maintain. I didn’t participate in get togethers with friends because I had deadlines to meet. I stopped reaching out as much. I started reading books and Bible studies that I still haven’t finished. Continue reading “Finding My Way Back to Center”
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chron. 16:34)
Most of us had high hopes that 2021 would be better than 2020. For some people, I’m sure that was true. But for many others, the tragedy, discord, and chaos continued. For me, like many other years, 2021 was a mix of both good and bad.
A few years ago, I started a practice at the beginning of the year where I find three words to describe the previous year. Now, I’m sure you have some choice words for 2021, as we all do, but my words aren’t good riddance, 2021, even though that would be fitting. Instead, I want to focus on the positive. Continue reading “2021 in Three Words”