Tag: hope

Praying the Psalms for Encouragement

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” (Ps 39:7)

My spiritual discipline for 2020 is prayer, and what a year of prayer it has been! From global issues like COVID-19 to national issues such as racial disparities and the election to personal issues like community, I’m learning to “pray continually” (1 Thess 5:17). But sometimes, situations are overwhelming, and words are hard to find. When that happens, I use prayer prompts I find online or in a Bible study plan. Often those prompts are from the Psalms. Continue reading “Praying the Psalms for Encouragement” →

Hope in Troubled Times

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (Jn 14:27).

When I first learned of the coronavirus (COVID-19), it was in China, and then Iran and Italy. It was far away from me and my family. Even when reports of confirmed cases emerged here in the U. S., they were in states thousands of miles from me. But reality set in when the NBA canceled their entire season in my state, in my city. I realized the disease was much closer and more widespread than I wanted to acknowledge. Continue reading “Hope in Troubled Times” →

A Summary of 2019 in Three Words

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Rom 12:12)

As 2019 ends and a new year (and new decade) begins, I like to look back at the events and lessons of the previous year. I’ve mentioned before in this blog that I think it’s important to reflect on the past in order to move forward. Usually, this means a year-end evaluation of my goals or my word of the year.

This time, I’m trying something a little different. Recently, I read about choosing three words to summarize the year. While the article was written for married couples, I took away some important information that could apply more broadly to my own life. Continue reading “A Summary of 2019 in Three Words” →

A Return to Spring

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” (Song 2:11-12)

After a hard winter, signs of spring are finally beginning to appear here in Oklahoma. Birds chirp, squirrels run through the yard, and bees buzz and flit from flower to flower. As the temperatures rise and the world around me reawakens, I feel joy bloom in my heart and new energy come back into my body. This is the beauty of spring: it brings new beginnings, not only in nature, but in our own lives. Continue reading “A Return to Spring” →

Growing During the Easter Season

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” (Ps 119:37)

The Easter season begins with Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, reflection, and penance that leads to the celebration of Easter Sunday. Lent represents the 40 days that Jesus spent alone in the wilderness before starting his ministry. Continue reading “Growing During the Easter Season” →