Life is so . . . daily. Just as one problem is solved, another one surfaces. We clock in and clock out of work, and eventually life itself becomes robotic and routine. It doesn’t take long for our dreams to diminish into a cloud of dust, leaving us to wonder Is this all there is? […]
Continue readingMore TagCategory: Grief/Encouragement
How to End Your Tortured Life
Hope from His Word and Healing in His Presence
I hadn’t been to church in weeks. Illness, traveling, family needs, life. You get it. Last Sunday, we actually got to church. I’m always amazed at how no one at church looks like they are facing something impossible. Everyone looks so pretty and polished; fresh and clean. However, how we look on the outside does […]
I Am Renewed
[guestpost]We all struggle (or have struggled) with suffering, and when it comes to real suffering, my friend Michele Cushatt, guest-posting today, understands the struggle firsthand. Without giving away her story (which you can read in her books and watch on my interviews), Michele knows what it’s like to lose her footing and to wonder if […]
Exquisite Agony: Becoming a Masterpiece
The Way God Shapes You from the Rough Places
Without question, he defined what it meant to be a “Renaissance Man.” Michelangelo—born Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni—is remembered as one of the most gifted Italian sculptors, painters, architects, and poets of all time. In fact, some say his approach to art was almost mystical. It’s been said he would study the blank canvas or […]
Nineteen (and a Half) Reasons Why Being Broken Is Beautiful
He clung to his phone like a threadbare lifeline. Hearing his laugh is a symphony of joy . . . it’s not the norm for him in life. My son Jon is now 19 and a HALF—that half is desperately important to him. For his whole life, he’s been in pain: Physically Emotionally Relationally Spiritually […]
How to Ignite a Song of Hope When the Whistling Stops
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs . . . who isn’t familiar with those jolly dwarfs whistling while they worked? I still remember the clink-clank of their mining tools, the whistling as they walked home. The magic of those old Disney movies stay with us. But what happens when there is no movie-magic, no joy? […]
Seven Dwarfs That Reflect Real Life
Not long ago I saw a colorful, captivating picture on a doctor’s office wall. It was clearly a parody of Disney’s movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Remember those jolly little round, robust fellows who whistled, worked, and walked home singing catchy tunes? Good ol’ Doc . . . Grumpy Happy Sleepy Bashful Sneezy […]
What We Need to Help Us through Trials
When you encounter people who are going through a trial, do you find yourself thinking: I really want to help others who are struggling, but what do they need most? As human beings, we all need the following 8 qualities in our lives to help us through our toughest times.
The Best Interviews of 2016
There’s a lot of talk about what is anticipated when a new year rolls around. Let’s not forget the anticipation in the new year. New beginnings . . . new anything is great! Not that I LOVE things, but sometimes new stuff is glorious. For example: A new, soft, cuddly little baby A new, clean house […]
How to Beat the Burn-Out
TIRED! That was the only word I could think of. Typically, my husband—who leaves for work by 5:20 a.m.—sends me a text asking how the morning routine and getting out the door went. For us, that can be a risky inquiry since, quite often, departing for the day is something just shy of the Exodus. […]
Cutting Out the Christmas Conflict
I don’t think there is any other time of the year when we are faced with intense conflict than at Christmas time. While we sing about it being the most wonderful time of the year, would you say that’s your experience? If it really is the happiest season of all, why do the mental health statistics […]
My Lord and My God!
This season of the year is not joyful for everyone. Put bluntly, some dread it. They are filled with such melancholy memories of painful days gone by, they find it hard to sing the carols. “Joy to the World!”—not really. “How Great Our Joy!”—well, maybe for you but not for everyone. Now, before you call […]