When you compare yourself to others you end up feeling pretty awful. But God can help you learn how to stop comparing yourself to others so you can find JOY! But before we dive into this topic a little deeper, can I ask you a quick question? Why did Eve eat the fruit? Listen to this:   “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”   -Genesis 3:4-5 NLT Eve ate the fruit because she thought it would make her like God. She compared herself to…

Think about this for a moment.   What do you want people to say about you when you’re gone? What words would you want them to use to describe you?  How about words like:  Yep, I think most of us would like to be remembered by these kinds of words, right?  Now, how about these words:  Yeah, no thank you. I don’t think anyone of us wants to be described by these words. And yet, unfortunately, for 2 women in the Bible, they are forever known for being disagreeable. For fighting with each other and refusing to cooperate.   Out of all the things they could have been remembered for. This is…

When Jesus knew His time on Earth was about to come to an end, He decided to have dinner with His friends. He washed their feet. Ate yummy food. And then He prayed over them.     As He prayed for them, He knew these were some of the last words He would ever speak to them, which helps us realize their importance. In general, people choose their last words wisely because those words are what they want people to remember.    If Jesus’s last words reveal what was important to Him . . . then they also reveal what should be important to us as followers of Jesus.       So, what were Jesus’s…

Sometimes I struggle with feeling the Christmas Spirit. Sometimes I have a hard time feeling joyful during this time of year. Sometimes I think about all the things I need to do to prepare for the upcoming holidays . . . and it just makes me feel overwhelmed and stressed out.    For a while, I would chastise myself for this.    After all, I’m a Christian.    Christmas is when I celebrate the birth of my Savior and King. I should be happy. I should be in a good mood. I should look forward to it.    But sometimes, if I’m brave enough to admit it, my heart just isn’t into it.    But…

Christmastime can be busy, chaotic, and downright stressful. This is why we need to remember what Christmas is REALLY all about. So, we can find joy, peace, and rest. Even in a season of busyness.    Because when we remember the reason for the season, we realize what a gift Christmas really is.    What is the purpose of Christmas? The purpose of Christmas is to remind us of truths we tend to forget. Because life can get so busy and stressful sometimes that we need the opportunity that Christmas gives us to take a step back and reflect.   To remember what is important.   And to spend time in the Presence…

It can be hard to know how to shine for Jesus, especially in today’s culture. Because this world can be a very dark place. People can be hostile toward our faith. And sometimes we may simply find it hard to share because we don’t know what to do.   And yet, as Christians, we know we’re supposed to shine for Jesus, share our faith, and tell people about the hope we have.   This is why it can be helpful to learn some simple and practical ways to share our faith. What does it mean to shine for Jesus? Shining for Jesus means doing what you can to let your faith show so…

Before I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that limited my physical capabilities, one of my favorite activities was going on a walk with a good friend.   There’s nothing better than being outside, getting some exercise, and sharing the journey with someone you love by your side.   Another great thing about walking with someone is the opportunity it brings for great conversations.   You can share your struggles, hopes, and dreams, or even about something you notice as the two of you travel along.   It’s one of the things I miss most about my former life . . . when I was healthy.   But even though, I can’t enjoy a walk…

We all have chapters we would rather not have read out loud. But some of us have ones we wish we could rip out and shred to pieces.   I am one of those people.  The guilt over those chapters of my life makes my cheeks burn with shame while the pain of regret causes my heart to ache.   But God did not send His Son to die on the cross so we could live forever burdened by the guilt of what we have done.   Jesus came to set us free completely.   While many of us know we have been forgiven . . . sometimes it can be a struggle to…

Many of us have a vision for what we want our life to look like. We have a plan. Goals. And dreams. But then something happens.   Something we weren’t expecting. Something that doesn’t feel good. Something that makes us look around and wonder, “What am I supposed to do now?”  This is how I felt when I was diagnosed with a chronic illness and faced a future of limitations.   At first, I groaned and complained. I was angry and depressed. I mourned the fact that I could not go on a hike with my family. And I became frustrated when a short walk around the block left me breathless and…

My son’s last high school cross-country race was going to be at the State meet.   It was his goal all season long to make it, so he was exhilarated to be going there.  He had prepared for months for this moment. Done everything he was supposed to do.    He put in the long, grueling hours of hard work and training. Got enough sleep. Drank enough water. Carb loaded the day before. Had protein the day of.     He was totally focused on giving it his all and doing his best.   He lined up at the starting line, envisioning how everything would go.      The countdown began. The starting shot rang out. He…