I want you to stop and think about a recent crisis moment you’ve had. What happened? A crisis moment is where things change. Your path goes one way – or another. This is the exact moment you decide if you will be a “victim” or “victor!” So, which are you?
Without any warning, something hits you hard – and you realize it’s challenging to manage a life loss! Sometimes, you feel you’re drowning in sadness . . . cut off from good things . . . observing others’ joy at a distant like a dream . . . wanting so badly for “normal” again . . . just wanting hope to return. Yet, you still face your loss. So, how do you “turn the corner” in a loss?
Have you noticed the talking points of world news recently? Wars, rumors of war, famines, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados, forest fires, floods, demonstrations in the streets, military muscles flexing, political unrest, various discriminations, mounting deceptions, despair. And more! Wow. What a state our world is in. Is it even possible to contemplate good plans for hope and a future?
You prepare for Christmas in so many ways. But how do you prepare your heart?
Advent
The Christmas Advent Season has been richly celebrated for many years. Historically, an advent marks the arrival of a notable person or event. Often, a wreath with candles has been used during Christmas Advent, lighting a new candle on each of four weeks leading up to Christmas Day.
Even if you choose not to use a wreath with candles, there are simple, thoughtful ways you can prepare your heart.
This is the first in a series to help prepare your heart for Christmas. Each week we will light another candle in our hearts as a statement of preparation. (Notice each additional week’s article in this series has another candle lit in the main featured image.)
Sometimes I wonder about prayer. How to pray most effectively. Do my prayers make a difference? Similarly, I wonder how to deepen relationship with God. In our physical, visible, daily reality – going after invisible qualities can be hard to define. Do you ever wonder about how to deepen your relationship with God? Or do you wonder about prayer? Read More …
While I recently re-read a favorite author, I was encouraged to keep pursuing something God placed in my heart years ago. So – what is that something? “Rise Up Higher.” And what’s the relevance with the world in such upheaval? Well, I can tell you this – it’s a really good place to live – with many practical applications. So, I hope you will be encouraged with this content.
Feathers have captivated people for centuries. Inventors and scientists have studied flight by looking at birds, wings, and feathers. Artists use various mediums to capture the beauty of feathers. Coincidentally, there are still folks who make down pillows and comforters with softest feathers. Kids adore fluffy, colored feathers for fun projects. Feathers have been used for insulation. At one point in history, the best arrows were made using feathers. Today’s content is about being under feathers.
Do you ever wonder how you can possibly make a difference in this world? You! With your one life! But the reality is that you can have practical influence in culture and other lives. You can make a difference.
Remember when you made your first friend as a child? Or maybe you had a roommate you just clicked with when you went to college? It may have been a person you connected strongly with on your first job assignment. Whoever and wherever – you just got this feeling inside – “I think I like you!” It may come as a surprise but that’s how God feels about you. God likes you!
Have you seen white clouds so fluffy you could reach out to touch them? Think about huge sequoia trees that take about 20 people holding hands to form a circle around the base. What about a simple, dainty butterfly alighting your arm for a moment. Waterfalls, majestic mountains, colored leaves, music of songbirds. No doubt – nature is beautiful! Inspiring. What a privilege to absorb the displays, relax in its calm, and explore its wisdom, precision, and wonders. With numbered days, we should ponder Nature’s Diamonds often.
