“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13. On a recent visit with my family, I observed two young children at play. They were sitting on the floor, rolling a ball back and forth, and laughing loudly together. Later,…
The millennial generation has had more opportunities “to do what makes us happy,” but Gallop Market Research shows we are the least happy generation. Pursuing happiness—a temporary feeling based on what is happening is not the answer. What we need is a joy that is independent of circumstances and always…
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4, NKJV) When James tells us we are to “count it all…
Minimalism and a minimalist lifestyle have become the new catchphrase in recent years. The idea is when you remove the unnecessary stuff, you free up time and space to focus on the things that matter in life. The famous organizer and author Marie Kondo took that idea to a new…
“Live, love, laugh!” Oh, for the courage! The courage to live courageously and take risks and fall flat on my face. The courage to love with an open heart, knowing it will be broken many times over. The courage to laugh, knowing there will be tears in the future. Today,…
In my neighborhood, each spring, there are lots of little birdies with their loving parents building nests and tending to their young. If you were to walk my neighborhood with me, you would join me in dreading the silent swooping of hawks. Soon after, you would hear the squawking and…
“Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you,…
“That my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11). Everyone wants to be happy, but each of us defines happiness differently. Some base their happiness level on what they possess. Happiness is a new pair of shoes, a sporty car, the latest electronics,…
I guess I could be considered a morning person. There’s just something about the freshness of a new dawn that energizes me. Morning time is when I prefer to tackle projects that need my attention (just don’t talk to me for the first hour – I also love the stillness…