Do you choose a word to focus on for the year? Sometimes I follow the trend, sometimes I don’t. When I do, it usually begins with prayer and meditation. Other times, the idea creeps into my head before I think about it. The word chooses me, so to speak. This year is one such year. My 2022 word is restoration. But ... read more
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Five Silver Linings from 2021
Pandemic-related terminology crept into our vocabulary in 2020 and became mainstays in 2021. Not only do the terms appear here to stay, they’re leading conversation topics. They do, after all, define great changes in the way we do life. And although much of the change was unwelcome, silver linings can be found. Some of ... read more
Sitting Together in Darkness
As daylight savings time ends and night falls earlier and earlier, the cool evenings find me cozied up in front of a fire way too early. I once disliked the time shift because my energy level drops in darkness. I felt guilty that I was sitting rather than checking tasks off my list during December. This Christmas, God ... read more
What Are You Grateful For? Memories, of Course!
Nostalgia: a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations. Many psychologists once viewed nostalgia as a bad thing and counseled us to avoid it. They labeled it a form of escapism — or living in the past. New research, however, suggests that ... read more
5 Reasons God Tells Us to be Thankful
I'm thrilled of feature guest blogger Barbara Latta today. Barbara is a writing friend from Conyers, and I think you'll enjoy her message. Make sure to check out her bio below and visit her blog at at www.barbaralatta.blogspot.com. Life’s disappointments may cause our focus to be on our pain. But giving praise to God ... read more
The Most Powerful Word in Our Language
Yet is a word of hope and encouragement. The word yet often combines a negative with a positive, hurt with comfort, the unaccomplished with the potential. One little word. Yet, it may be the most powerful word we can use. Yet changes our approach, our attitude, and our resolve when added to any sentence regarding ... read more
Lying Lips Are Not the Only Way We Lie
I eagerly opened the box from a home goods store. Would the three new counter stools be as perfect as I thought? I opened one and admired its beauty. These would definitely work. After emptying the box, I realized I had an extra stool. Puzzled, I checked the order to see if I had ordered four stools instead of three. ... read more
Someone Else is in Charge: Lessons from the Queen Part II
To what greater inspiration and counsel can we turn than to the imperishable truth to be found in this treasure house, the Bible?Queen Elizabeth II In our last post, we looked at five lessons gleaned from the life of Queen Elizabeth, based on Bryan Kozlowski’s book, Long Live the Queen! and article “Life Lessons from the ... read more
Someone Else is in Charge: Lessons from the Queen
I’m a fan of Queen Elizabeth II. As the longest-reigning monarch in history, she models calm, cool, and collectedness as she rules a nation. I admire her demeanor along with her strength and no-nonsense style. But I admire something else about her even more. Queen Elizabeth’s faith is the framework that guides her. As ... read more
Ripples of Love in the Ice Cream Shop
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV Entering the ice cream parlor, my husband and I took our place in line and eagerly examined the menu of flavors. Indulging in an ice cream cone at the beach is high on my priority list. Something about the ... read more
