The calendar reminds us how deep we are into the holiday season. Our waistlines expand while the stresses of family dynamics emotionally stretch us. As much as we enjoy the family time, the abundance of good food and the reminders to be grateful — we also need to remember how stressful this time can be …
Because life is easier when it’s simple, I have decided to merge that principle into my holiday celebrations. What used to be a December filled with activities and the traditional holiday set-ups, I have now prefaced with the following questions: Christmas Cards Although I love to send and receive greeting cards throughout the year, the …
This post has become an annual favorite, so I offer it once more. As I stood on my deck, a tree unloaded its entire leaf burden. It was as if God said, “It’s now 3:24 on this date I created before the foundation of the world. Disengage.” Within seconds, every leaf had let loose from …
We know the health benefits of gratitude, so we focus on giving thanks—particularly during this month of the year. But every year, it’s a good practice to redefine and choose again those special things we are grateful for. This is my current list for this week: Hot Water. As I have watched the horrors of …
During this birthday month, I have focused on gratitudes such as: Sabbath beauty, family, my son, my daughter-in-love, sunshine and light of all kinds, friends, books, and food. But this particular post is being written on my actual birth date in a favorite coffee shop. Being alive and being here brings more gratitudes to the …
In the past, my birthday month has been the time to celebrate the passing of another year — sometimes with gratitude and sometimes with dread. The aging process is indeed, a consideration. Sometimes I have saved for a special treat or bought a new outfit. One year, I treated myself to a mani/pedi. Another year, …
Over the last few weeks, I have been digging into the Beatitudes—those written steps that lead into the Sermon on the Mount. Somewhere, I’ve heard them referred to as Beautiful Attitudes. I like that moniker. But I also think they give us some clues into how attitudes lead into behaviors. Perhaps my recent study comes …
As the daughter of parents who struggled with the challenges of dementia, I am always on the lookout for brain matter. That is, info on how to keep the brain healthy and functioning until I step into eternity. I already know about nutrition and the importance of avoiding anything that leads to brain fog. Unfortunately, …
She is often used as a scapegoat in biblical discussions, but I totally get where she’s coming from. Sarai, devoted wife of Abram, who wanted more than anything to bless her husband with a child. But she was barren for the majority of her life. Month after month, year after year, they prayed for a …
On Friday nights, I finish in my office, shut the door, and find a good movie to watch. It helps me deprogram from the week and escape into either a good biography, a drama, or sometimes — even one of those predictable Hallmark movies. One Friday, I happened upon a movie I had never seen …