One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is the rich, harmonious music that tunes my heart to the celebration of our Lord and Savior’s birth! Century old carols and current melodies teach me the theology of our Lord’s sacrifice for me. As I savor each musical selection I am challenged to search my heart to discern if it reflects the level of harmony that they represent.
Read MoreMaking A House A Home
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, ARE YOU WILLING TO INCLUDE THE GRIEVING ON YOUR GUEST LIST?
As the days shorten and calendar pages are turned, thoughts of holiday celebrations begin to occupy our minds. Amidst your planning may I pose a question — would you consider including the grieving on your holiday guest list?
Read MoreIS THERE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT YOU?
Daily, the media reports evidence that convicts high profile individuals of behaviors which, in many instances, renders them disqualified for the position they hold. As I read the accounts, the Holy Spirit probes my heart with the question, “Pat, if it becomes a crime to be a Christian, would there be adequate evidence in your lifestyle to convict you?” This question challenges me to probe my life to discern whether I am embracing a lifestyle that pleases God. I pray that you will consider the question as well.
Read MoreIS CREDIT YOUR SERVANT OR MASTER?
The cornerstone of discerning whether credit is your servant or master is based on your Dollar Theology. Dollar Theology reminds believers that they are accountable to the Lord for the resources that He entrusts to them. The principle of stewardship is woven throughout the New Testament. As you read the following passages, consider how they impact your Dollar Theology.
Read MoreIS CHURCH MEMBERSHIP REALLY NECESSARY?
When I relocate to a new geographic area one of the first items on my “to do list” is to establish membership in a local church. I begin the search with prayer, asking for recommendations from my current Pastor, and examining my heart to affirm that I am focused on biblical criteria for church selection
Read MoreARE YOU AWARE OF THE ANTIDOTES FOR RELATIONSHIP BUSTERS?
A study of friendship teaches us that female companionship counters so many of the negative aspects of life, keeps you healthy, and may even add years to your life—it is incredibly important to identify “Relationship Busters” and provide an antidote for them to prevent injurious or unwanted effects.
Read MoreHELLO, GOD! IT'S YOUR DAUGHTER CALLING!!
Our electronic world allows rapid communication with those we wish to contact. All is well when the individual immediately answers the phone or responds to the electronic message. However, it can be irritating or discouraging when we reach out to someone and the response is silence.
Read MoreWOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A SIZZLING SUCCESS AS A HOSTESS THIS SUMMER?
Summer—a time for casual dining comprised of sizzling grilled meats, cool refreshing beverages, numerous fresh vegetables, and a plethora of luscious fruits. A perfect time for opening our hearts and homes to others and an opportunity to offer biblical hospitality. However, many families are less than happy when the lady of the house extends hospitality because she is such a wreck before the occasion occurs. Often her lack of organization and unwillingness to involve others in the planning and preparation process encumbers her with an unnecessary burden.
Read MoreWILL YOU CHOOSE TO BE A SPIRITUAL MOTHER?
As soon as the Easter cards are packed away in the card stores, Mother’s Day cards take their place. It is exciting to know that all Christian women have the opportunity to celebrate this special day if they say “yes” to the question that opens this Blog Post.
Read MoreSPRINGING INTO SPRING
As a twenty-first century consumer, I am well aware of my credit score—a high one opens multiple financial options, while a low one can quickly diminish them. As a friend, I am challenged to build a Friendship Confidence Score. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist serves as a wonderful role model to me (Luke 1:39-56). Her life teaches me much about the confidence that should be evident in our relationships as we see how she responded to her young friend and cousin, Mary, who was experiencing personal challenges. As we focus on “springing into spring” let’s create a vignette of Elizabeth who teaches us many principles about building confidence in relationships . . .
Read MoreTHE HEART BEHIND HOMEMAKING
A new year stretches before you filled with numerous opportunities to deepen your relationship with your heavenly Father and to increase your ability to fulfill the special plan He has just for you! Kelsey’s Korner probes a significant question that aligns with a portion of that plan. As you consider her insight, you will have a better opportunity to fulfill that plan if you are spiritually and physically fit. Are you approaching the year with a solid understanding of the nutritional requirements necessary for spiritual and physical vitality or are you randomly starting it without a deliberate dietary plan?
Read MoreARE YOU CONTENT IN YOUR TESTS AND TRIALS?
As a college professor I have two primary responsibilities to my students; the first is to provide them with instruction in the subject matter content, and the second is to measure whether or not they have mastered it. Their subject matter mastery is usually measured in the form of a test—and it is always my desire that they will earn a high grade on it. I know, however, for it to be a valid measurement that the test must be difficult enough to align with their academic maturity—I do them no favors if it is too easy, and it is not a reliable measurement if it is too difficult.
Read MoreARE YOU STRESSED OR BLESSED?
You may be one of many who will view the classic film “White Christmas” during the holiday season. One of my favorite songs lilting through it begins, “When I am worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep. . .” The words then walk us down memory lane creating a collage of the blessings of life. If a secular song challenges its viewers to realign their thinking, how much more should believers be stimulated to “bless the Lord and forget none of His benefits. . .” (Psalm 103)? Yet statistics suggest that the holiday season is generous with stress and skimpy with blessings.
Read MoreDO YOU HAVE A BIBLICAL FEMININITY WORLD VIEW?
The wise woman of the 21st century will develop a Biblical Femininity World View by cultivating her mind and elevating her thoughts beyond the cultural trends. Grasping the principle of “salt and light” will aid in this development.
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WILL YOU LEAVE A LEGACY OR INHERITANCE?
As you ponder the title of this post let me encourage you to first read “Kelsey’s Korner.” Her definitions and tender account of her dear “Granny” helps to focus on how we respond to the question the title ask.
When considering whether we are building a legacy, a key concept to remember is that God cares about excellence! Throughout the Scriptures we are reminded that Christians will be judged on the quality of their work (1Cor. 3:13, 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12). Practically speaking, whether we are baking a pie or preparing a financial portfolio, our deepest motivation ought to be pursuing excellence.
Read MoreDO YOU EMBRACE A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE?
August, for many, heralds the preparation for the beginning of the new school year. The academic calendar clearly affects all of society’s activities regardless of whether or not you are attending school. This “new beginning” provides an opportunity to pose the question, “what is the purpose of my life for the months ahead?” The word purpose suggests defining the reason for why something is done. As a Christian woman, I am concerned about a two-fold purpose to my life—what is my heavenly Father’s purpose for me as His daughter and for what purpose did He create me?
Read MoreFEELING SPIRITUALLY SLUGGISH?
Summer days often stimulate the thoughts that the “living should be easy!” The days are long, the weather is warm, and thoughts of vacation days permeate our minds. While all of these attributes of summer are true, the one thing that should be strengthened in the summer is our spiritual life. Summer is the time for us to build a “spiritual bank account” so that when the challenging days of the fall descend we have spiritual stamina. It is easy, however, to allow our summer spiritual life to slow down and even become inactive.
Read MoreARE YOU TRAVEL SMART?
Summer is upon us, and with its advent, opportunities abound for us to expand our horizons through travel. Kelsey’s Korner provides you with practical tips on how to travel smart by following the role model of the wise woman described in Proverbs 31:21-22 and Proverbs 31:26. These verses clearly suggest that she was prepared for unforeseen circumstances (31:21-22) and prudent in her decisions (31:26). Possessing the character quality of prudence suggests that she is practically wise, cautious and careful of the consequences.
Read MoreWOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPERIENCE A DELIGHTFUL SUMMER?
As the days lengthen and the temperature warms, thoughts of creating a collage of delightful memories emerge. As you envision the events that are to fashion them, may I suggest a foundation on which to plan them? Psalm 37:4 states, “Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” If we are to experience a delightful summer our first priority will be to walk closely to Him and allow Him to place in our hearts the desires that will create incredible memories.
Read MorePRUNED BY THE MASTER
According to gardening experts, the difference between an attractive plant and one that is floursing is dependent to a bit of early season pruning. Often called heading back or pinching, pruning a budding plant before it blooms can increase flower growth by making the plant produce more branches. Budding plants can be cut back multiple times during the growing season or pruned again after blooming to encourage a new flush of flowers.
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