What Makes Joy Work in Our Lives?
Today I woke up wondering where all my joy had gone. I just felt blah, if you know what I mean. Have felt blah for a while, if truth be told (and it should be). So I asked myself, “Why do I feel so . . . joyless.” It was still dark outside, which kind of matched my mood, so I got up and sat in my favorite chair and tried to clear the conscious thoughts out of my mind so I could identify what I was really feeling and why . . . Read More
Why Worry Makes Things Worse: Finding Peace in Trials
Pretend for a moment you’re a woman living in a war-torn country. Like all those women we’ve seen on TV for years, hanging onto their babies. Running from madmen with . . .
Three Unexpected Benefits of Memorizing Scripture
In a minute, I’m going to share 3 simple memorization methods that can help you memorize short or long passages of scripture. But first a little story . . .
Vision Is All About How We See Things. What Do You See for 2022
There’s something about a new year that gives me new vision. It just makes me want to get busy. Right now! Today! It spurs expediency to finish that new book! Lose that extra weight! Start . . .
Trusting the Writer of Our Story. It’s Not All Up to Us
To a writer, everything is about story. The characters she or he creates live out their stories through the writer’s imagination. But our real lives are stories too! Sometimes we think . . .
Lessons I Learned From Covid: My Covid Story
This is my Covid story. It’s both funny and serious. It’s about some amazing changes in my pallet since Covid. Good changes! And a surprise four-legged . . .
The Value of a One-Minute Life–Guest post by Paula Scott
I’m thrilled to have Paula Scott as a guest blogger. Paula’s family has gone through a great trial. Her grandson, Benjamin, died on his mother’s chest at the tender age of one minute. The parents were told . . .
Is There Really Such a Thing as Our Own Truth?
Ever been a witness in a trial? I have. Once. You used to put your hand on the Bible and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I don’t know if that terminology . . .
How Can You Keep from Expecting the Worst?
How do you wake up in the morning? With joy and peace? With dread and discouragement, expecting the worst to happen? Or is it something in between? Are you even aware ….
Inventory You’re Not Suppose to Take. Ever!
Have you ever noticed how when someone you love does something or says something that hurts your feelings, your mind immediately goes to the last time they did . . . .
A Non-Political Time to Mourn: 50 Million Aborted Babies
This post is about abortion. It’s not political. It’s not about laws or the lack of them. It’s a call to mourning prompted by a terrible dream I had on Mothers Day . . .
What Kind of Normal Should Christians Pray For?
The question that stalks most of our thoughts in these troubled times is, Will our lives ever get back to normal? I have to admit that I’m one of the many who has pined for the old normal to . . .
A Critical Spirit: How Much Damage Does It Do?
There’s a lot of negativity in the air these days. When I say “in the air,” I’m not just referring to T.V. and the internet, though there is plenty of negativity there, for sure. Negativity has invaded…Read More
When We Judge God: Why It’s Important to Believe the Bible
All of us have struggled with things we read in the Bible. Sometimes the things we read just don’t feel fair or right. Sometimes they go against what we hear and see…
When My Husband Gave Jesus a Bottle of Disinfectant
How hard is it to share what you have when you don’t have much to begin with? How can we learn to be more generous? With our nation shelling out trillions of dollars it can’t afford…
What Does God Say About You? You May Be Surprised!
What does it mean to be “blessed” by God? God giving you stuff? Answering your prayers? Keeping you from getting sick? Those are great things, but the word “bless” means…
Trust is the Vaccine for Fear. We Can Trust God!
We can trust God even when we’re afraid! King David was afraid, but he never let his fear stop him from trusting his God. He said that even…
Can Things Ever Change? How Hope Makes It Happen
If there’s anything I’m asking God for in 2020, it’s to hope more. You may be thinking—why hope more? Hope sounds kind of wimpy. Why not ask to love more? That’s really important, isn’t it? But hope?…Read More
3 Things I Wish I’d Done to Prepare for My Older Age
Getting older kind of stinks sometimes. Of course, considering the alternative of not getting older, I’d rather stay around a while. Years ago, I saw a really out of shape guy in a…
Being Content and Why You Shouldn’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth
It’s almost Thanksgiving. A special day we set apart for thanking God for all our blessings. Today we’re going to talk about what it means to be content, and how giving thanks in absolutely everything…
3 Things We Can Do to Bring the God-joy Back
Ever wonder where all the joy went? Christians are supposed to have it, aren’t they? Joy? Shouldn’t we be the happiest, most joyful people on earth? We felt it when we first . . .
Should a Woman Confront Her Husband? The Importance of Honesty
Honesty may be the best policy but it exacts a high premium. Honesty is hard. Especially in marriage. Confrontation is not comfortable. Especially for a . . .
Should We Talk to Our Children About Their Bad Parenting?
Should parents say anything to their adult children when they see them making parenting mistakes? And how should those adult children receive such criticism? Those are tough . . .
Do Our Fearful Prayers for our Children Accomplish Anything?
How should we pray for our children in these troubled times? It’s easy to pray in fear for their future, but will fearful prayers really accomplish anything? When Rebecca . . .
Stop the Noise so I Can Think! The Importance of Imagination
I sometimes wonder if there’s a conspiracy against quiet in our culture. Sound is pumped into every space we inhabit. Can you think of a public space without some kind of……
When You Wonder if You Married the Wrong Man
Have you ever wondered if you married the wrong man? Maybe you’re convinced of it. Perhaps you can pinpoint the very moment when you chose to go against your best judgment.
Two Reasons Why We Don’t Trust the Still Small Voice of God
How much trouble could we avoid in life if we truly trusted that still small voice of God? From His vantage point above time, God sees the end from the beginning, and when He . . .
What Happens if We Sin and We Can’t Undo It?
What happens if we sin and we just can’t fix it? Will God still allow us in His presence? Does our identity in Christ change with our actions? If you’ve read . . .
Are You Really Obedient or Just a Rule Follower?
There’s something about the word “obedience” that has always made the muscles in my neck knot up. Why? Well, partly because obedience implies . . .
3 Tips to Help You Handle Your Children’s Pain
Kids cause pain, and I was one of those mothers who wallowed in it. I felt every little disappointment, rejection, and heartache my children went . . .
Why Do Many Christians Live Their Lives in Fear of Dying?
Do we believe that God is in control of our appointment with death? Or do we think it's somehow left up to chance and circumstances that surprise God and . . .
Will Jesus Keep Us from Falling, or are We on Our Own?
My late husband and I traveled in the ministry for many years. He preached, and I played the piano for our country gospel duo. I played . . .
What to Do When You Just Don't Know What to Do
What do you do when you just don't know what to do? Many times I’ve agonized over a decision—thought it out until my head hurt . . .
Are You Willing to Let God Show You Your Heart?
Are we willing to let God show us our heart? I'm not sure I am. I want to be, but there's something scary . . .
Marilyn Tells How She Met Jesus at Fourteen
I came to be a believer at the age of 14. I'm so grateful that God knew who I was before He even created the earth. He had a plan for my life, and . . .
The Mystery of the Money Missing for Nine Years
Nine years is a long time for $4000 to stay missing. This is a funny story with a surprise ending. Read on! Every family has . . .
What I Learned From Watching My Husband Die
The night my husband died, we (sons, daughters, friends, wife) spent the evening singing and praying at his bedside, hoping he could hear . . .
How Does the Devil Cause Misunderstandings?
I think one of the devil's favorite tricks is to cause misunderstandings. I'm not a “the devil made me do it” person. I think we’re . . .
Beating Depression: Suzan Cartegena's Story
If you suffer from depression, this post may be one of the most important messages you ever hear. It’s written by my dear friend, Suzan . . .
Marilyn Tells Her Own Story About Depression
When I was nine years old, my mother had a nervous breakdown. Perhaps it was me turning nine that aggravated her already fragile . . .
Why Are Manners Important in Marriage?
Sometimes husbands and wives speak to each other in tones they would never use with a neighbor, or someone from church, or even a perfect stranger. Being polite and kind has other . . .
It's Not All or Nothing! Setting Small Goals
We all make fun of New Year’s resolutions, but there’s something to be said for new beginnings—that feeling of making a fresh start. So, as I’ve been thinking about the . . .
Is God Really a God of Love? And What Does That Look Like?
Some people think God looks like the disapproving old man in this picture. Just waiting for us to mess up so He can punish us. They just can't swallow that God is love. Could the problem . . .