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We have long been told by well-meaning people that everyone has good in them, I want to believe it, but I am keenly aware that while all may be made in God’s image,  that doesn’t necessarily mean we reflect His goodness. The mantra has been developed in part because it is hard to face how susceptible we are to chasing our lusts, shocked by how driven we can be by impure desire and humbled by the fact that without God, we are far from good. Understandably, we want to look at the brighter side of life and not be afraid to fall asleep in a world filled with others conquering or succumbing to the same temptations we know we face each day. However, that is not the only reason so many have come to believe that “all people are basically good”, it is also cherished because of its passivi...

I sat, kneeled, and squatted until my muscles ached and burned from fatigue. My nails, even when covered with gloves, became encrusted with earth. The sun beat on my back. Sweat trickled down my neck. I, the greenthumb’s daughter, was gardening for the second weekend in a row. Let’s be real: I never voluntarily garden. What overcame and motivated me the previous Saturday remains a mystery. As I labored through the repetition of digging, shaking off excess dirt, and throwing weeds into the wheelbarrow, I began to slowly enjoy the process. I started at one end of the raised bed, infested with weeds, and painstakingly worked my way to the other end. The first weekend I spent close to 4 hours weeding—figuring out what process worked the most efficiently and fastest. It was arduous work. About ...

I have been a housewife/domestic engineer/stay-at-home-mom for over ten years, and I cherish and appreciate the blessing of being able to be with my kids full time. I know not everyone has the opportunity to do it, and not everyone wants to. As for me, I will always be grateful for these years spent with my children as they grew from newborns to toddlers and toddlers to school agers. But… Let’s be real: I hate cleaning my house. While I am at it, here are some more confessions: If my kids want to stay in their pajamas all day, I entertain the notion far too often, and sometimes even join them. I almost always have clean laundry in my room or sitting on my couch, and I use it as validation for Netflix binging—I rarely even attempt folding unless I can combine the two. One more: It is a drea...

Scripture writing plans are incredibly simple, yet incredibly effective for helping us read, interpret and absorb the Word of God. Rather than simply letting our eyes pass over a verse and perhaps miss its full meaning, writing Scripture down helps us absorb each word and really think through what the passage before us is saying. Click the Download button below to access your challenge!  Photo Credit: ©SWN Join Our Telegram Group : Salvation & Prosperity  

The words “identity crisis” generally evoke images of a pimple-faced teenager and a middle-aged silver-haired man that seeks comfort in adultery and a new red sports car.  This worldly association leads one to believe that identity crisis is largely confined to two occurrences, once in adolescence and then again somewhere between 45 and 60.  It is commonly believed that within these periods that the psyche is distressed as one suddenly finds themselves stuck in the midst of questioning who they are. Thus begins the quest to develop a sense of self. After a prolonged period, many assert that the answer can be found in a relationship, a job, or the objects one possesses. I believe the identity crisis is far more widespread and more debilitating than the stereotypes lead one to beli...

The soft grasses sway in the light breeze. The luscious meadow appears to be dancing to a tune not played for human ears. The afternoon sun warms the rippling brook framing the ancient oak tree that still stands firm.  Its roots delve deeply into the earth below. The knotty bark echoes stories of children swinging on summer days from a rope and families gathering to picnic. The branches, strong and plentiful, provide respite from the heat as they offer shaded shelter with their leaves. Storms have attempted to destroy the old oak, but it tarries through. It has purpose, and its might is evident. Those who know this oak seek and find refuge beneath its splendor. When I think about identity, I envision the old oak tree above. I want to be this oak tree. Rooted. Strong. Someone who can p...

I am second-guessing everything. From my clothes to my food to my music to my time. Granted, it is spring, and the weather, even in easy-going northern California, is all over the place, and Justin and I work outside a lot—so each morning, depending on transportation (bike or car?) and whether it is rainy or chilly or windy or sunny, I stuff my bag with clothing layers, along with all the books or journals or tech stuff we need while we are out. What will I need? What should I expect from a day? I tell my friends things are simpler living at my father-in-law’s house, with so much less to take care of. I realize how much time I spent, before we moved, cleaning and organizing—and, even, cooking. But now that the two boys have been gone during the school year, away at college, and it is just ...

Photo Credit by Canva www.courtnayerichard.com Do you feel like you need change at this moment of your life? Do you feel like you could grow more spiritually and personally? If so, I feel you! Did you know that as you spend time with God in the quiet with an open Bible and heart that you can begin the process of transformation, today? Now, I know that I started this post with a lot of questions. But it’s all about self-reflection. The truth is you know where you are. God knows where you are. Sometimes through our actions or what comes of our mouths, people will even know where we are. Jesus actually tells us in Luke 6:45, “…What you say flows from what is in your heart.” (NLT) So what’s going in your heart, today that may need some transformation?  Let’s go a little bit...

“God is drawing me to Him- to require me to rely upon His timing, His promises. To solidify that His plans are better than my own. I’m not saying this is easy. My heart longs for answers. I know my small, quiet desires- the ones I hide deep within and only a few know about. The most insanely beautiful thing is that God knows them all. He knows when I sit, when I rise. He knows my quirks and longings. I’m not forgotten. I’m just in a place of waiting upon Him. Right where I am suppose to be. Hanging on His word and truth and seeking after Him. How peculiar this stage of uncertainty is for me. How pleasing must it be to God to know that I trust Him and I know in due time, His plan will be revealed. I am seeking Him and I’m really learning to put Him first- no matter ...