Retreating from social media is one way to manage stress. Taking breaks from Facebook in particular has become a necessity in my life, though I will be honest I probably didn’t do it soon enough this time: The age old: I don’t want to miss interacting with so and so People look for encouragement in … Continue reading When Stress Surrounds, His Grace Abounds
There were years I avoided malls, calls and “family” gatherings. Mother’s Day just isn’t Mother’s Day without your mom. I wouldn’t want to see one more card saying I love You, Mom. I couldn’t cry tears trapped inside. I shouldn’t have numbed my grief and loneliness with alcohol. Mind you, this was all before social … Continue reading How the Lord Healed the Pain of Losing My Mom
When God commands you Be obedient, I AM working. It hushes your mouth, stills your soul. Your sensitive heart cries out Lord, Your people, Lord. Where are they? Are they coming? What are they doing? How many will You save? O Lord, please draw them to Yourself. You cannot remember the names, but He knows. … Continue reading Baring Ourselves, Leaving Our Sin
I don’t know when it happened. During my walk this morning, I noticed all but one leaf gone from this tree. Its barren branches took their place against the sky, alone with spaces of nothing in between. Fall begins by enticing us with deep, vibrant colors … only to fill us with chill. The temperature … Continue reading When Your Marriage Gets Quiet
Did you ever feel like someone from one of those This is Your Life shows was following you? That around the next corner, there would be the guy with the T.V. camera and the well-dressed young woman announcing the surprise: your private life just went public. Blogging is kind of like that. At one point … Continue reading Marriage and a Hike
As I peel my face from the pillow, I roll to the side. Through my sleep-laden eyes, I spy the clock which says 6:13am. In the distance, I hear boys and cereal bowls. My body is sticky from a hard snooze, one in which I don’t remember. Ever not remember the middle of the night … Continue reading Lord, what is Your purpose for my day?
Did you know babies have budding personalities? Some parents will quickly align their smiley baby to their grandpap, the one who always had joy on his face. Where does that leave their other child, the one who cries more often? Needs more attention to be soothed. From the time we enter the world, we are … Continue reading Surrendering the Need to be Best
When God gathers a speaker from Pennsylvania, a worship leader from Mississippi and a group of spiritually hungry Arizona sisters, you know it will be good. Whatever He does is good. Generous to a fault, You lavish Your favor on all creatures. Everything God does is right-the trademark on all His works is love (Psalm … Continue reading His Glory at Mary’s House, Part 2
Big Daddy’s song “Redeemed” was an anthem for the first whole half of my walk with Jesus. This was going to be our boys’ first concert! My friend Jen … you may remember her from the Mandisa concert … she was game for another. Graciously, she agreed to drive. Friday night at 5pm crawls … Continue reading Big Daddy Weave and the Lifting(s)
Summer. Relaxed schedules. Vacation. Sunshine for the soul. It is tempting to think we shall take each breath in joy during these short few months. Our family of four is gearing up to go to the mountains. A first for our boys, but clearly not their first choice. On my walk yesterday, I talked with … Continue reading 3 Jesus Ways to Manage Summer Stress
Julie Dibble, Speaker and Author 