It’s my “word” for the year. Honestly, I’m not sure if I chose it because I kept seeing Pinterest images during Christmas with this word cleverly placed on mantels or doorposts or wreaths. But I gravitated to it. Something deep inside felt a twinge when I’d place my eyes on it, and so,… Read More Fighting Discouragement: 7 Scriptures On Joy (Free Printable)
“If you don’t like the weather, just give it a day or two; it will change.” I’ve heard people from Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Massachusetts say this. I always thought it ironic that those states aren’t anywhere near each other yet that phrase fits all three. Whenever a native would say those words I… Read More How Can We Be Joyful in All Circumstances?
Do you have people in your life you feel connected to, but you haven’t had much time together? There’s simply something that draws you close. Kindred heartbeats. I met a lovely lady a few years ago at a writers conference who intimidated me. It wasn’t her doing. It was all in my head. She… Read More Deep Joy and a Friday Giveaway!
Joy. I think of “happy” as fleeting and surfacey but I think of “joy” as the deeper, more grown-up version of happy. Joy doesn’t depend on circumstances–not the joy God gives, because joy from God is birthed from His grace. This is how Rick Warren defines joy: Joy is the settled assurance that God… Read More Bite of Bread: Filled With Joy
The clouds hide the earth below. Vapor drifts over the airplane wing and I notice the miles left on the colorless metal. A small dint here, a dark spot there. How many times has this plane carried families to Disney World? I ponder this question as I fly to a writers conference outside Orlando.… Read More How to find joy in the midst of fear and persecution