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Tag: faith

  • Taking a Break for the 2024 Holidays

    Just want to let you know that we are going to take the rest of the year off to focus on family and the holidays. See you in 2025!

    Wishing each of you a blessed and joy-filled holiday season, focused on the reason for the season!

    In Him,

  • The Art of Being a Good Friend

    Friendship is such a beautiful gift from God, isn’t it? There’s something truly special about being a good friend—it’s more than just being there for someone; it’s about living out love the way Jesus showed us. If you’re ready to deepen your friendships, here are a few simple, yet meaningful, ways to love your friends well!

    1. Be Present
    One of the things I love most about Jesus is how present He was with people. Whether He was sharing a meal, walking with His disciples, or listening to someone’s story, He made people feel seen and valued. We can do the same. Put the phone down, make eye contact, and truly listen when your friends are talking. (Don’t think about what you are going to say next, listen!) Sometimes, just being there—really there—is the best way to show love.

    2. Encourage and Uplift
    Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times.” Isn’t that beautiful? Being a good friend means cheering each other on through all of life’s seasons, good and bad. Send a little text to let them know you’re thinking of them, pray for them, or remind them of the amazing person they are. Everyone needs a bit of encouragement, and those small gestures can make a world of difference.

    3. Speak Truth in Love
    Being a real friend also means being willing to have the tough conversations when needed. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” This doesn’t mean we hurt each other on purpose, but sometimes love requires us to speak truth, even when it’s hard. Do it with kindness and grace, and it can lead to growth for both of you.

    At the heart of it, friendship is a reflection of God’s love. So let’s make our friendships fun, authentic, and full of grace—just the way He intended!

    With Joy,

  • Setting Boundaries: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself

    Let’s talk about something super important to me: setting boundaries. It can be tough, especially when you want to be there for everyone. But guess what? Healthy boundaries are a gift from God! They help us love others—and ourselves—better.

    1. Jesus Set Boundaries
      Take a cue from Jesus. He was the ultimate example of love, right? But even He knew when to say no. Jesus often took time to pray and recharge (Luke 5:16). He made time for Himself, even when people were vying for His attention. Setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s crucial for being fully present where God wants you to be!
    2. Learn to Say No
      Saying no can be hard. I get it! But Matthew 5:37 reminds us that our “yes” should be yes, and our “no” should be no. When you overcommit, you risk feeling stressed and drained. That’s not good for anyone! Be prayerful about where God wants you to invest your time and energy.
    3. Guard Your Heart
      Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts. Setting boundaries isn’t just about managing time; it’s also about protecting your peace. This might mean distancing yourself from toxic relationships or limiting time on social media. Boundaries help you stay spiritually healthy.

    With clear boundaries, you can show up for others while staying true to God’s awesome plan for your life! You’ve got this!Replace selected block text

    With Joy,

  • Shining for Jesus Every Day

    Hey there, friend! Have you ever pondered what it means to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world”? Jesus calls us to this in Matthew 5:13-16, and it’s simpler than you might think!

    1. Sprinkle Some Salt
      Think about salt for a moment. It adds flavor and preserves food. Similarly, we’re called to bring goodness and truth into our world. This can be as straightforward as:
    • Sharing a kind word with a stranger.
    • Encouraging a friend who’s having a tough day.
    • Standing up for what’s right when you see injustice.

    These small actions might seem insignificant, but they make a big impact! When you sprinkle a little love, you’re sharing Christ’s heart with everyone around you.

    1. Shine Your Light
      Now, consider light. It’s not meant to be hidden away! Jesus encourages us to let our light shine brightly. This involves:
    • Living authentically.
    • Sharing your faith when the opportunity arises.
    • Showing love and kindness in everyday moments.

    When you let God’s joy shine through you, people will notice! Your light points others to Jesus.

    So, let’s go out there and be that salt and light! Show the world the goodness of God in everything you do. You’ve got this!

    With Joy,

  • Bible Marking: A Simple Color Code

    Using a color code to mark your Bible is a helpful way to enhance your study and make key themes stand out. It allows you to easily find important passages and see patterns in scripture at a glance. Here’s how to get started:

    “Reading Bible” by NappyStock/ CC0 1.0
    1. Choose Your Colors
      Start by assigning different colors to various themes or topics. For example, you might use:
    • Yellow for promises of God
    • Green for spiritual growth or discipleship
    • Blue for prayer and worship
    • Red for key verses about Jesus or salvation
    • Orange for instructions
    • Purple for God’s attributes or commands
    • Brown for sin, disobedience, and evil
      Make sure to use highlighters that won’t bleed through the pages.
    1. Create a Key
      Write a key in the front or back of your Bible or on a card for easy reference. This way, you’ll always remember what each color represents.
    2. Start Highlighting
      As you read, highlight verses according to your color code. This helps organize your thoughts and makes it easier to return to specific topics later.
    3. Keep It Consistent
      Consistency is key. Stick with your color scheme across the entire Bible to build a cohesive system that will serve you well in the long run.

    Color coding your Bible makes studying more interactive, allowing God’s Word to come alive in new and meaningful ways.

    With Joy,

  • FAITH: Forsaking-All-I-Trust-Him

    “Faith words“

    When I was little, my mother would use this anagram to remind us that faith is simply letting go of all our expectations and desires and placing them in God’s hands. Today, more than every I know that we make a choice (every day) to trust that God is who He says He is and that we can trust Him.

    It sounds so simple. But it can be the hardest thing to do. It’s not a one-time decision but a daily practice of surrender, choosing to lean not on our own understanding but on His promises. When doubts creep in, as they often do, we can remind ourselves that God is faithful. He is working all things together for our good, even when life feels uncertain.

    Faith is a journey, and each step brings us closer to His heart. The more we trust, the more we see His hand guiding us, shaping our path, and leading us toward the fullness of life He desires for us.

    So today, I choose again to forsake all my fears, anxieties, and plans. I place them in His capable hands, knowing that He holds my future, and I trust Him completely. Will you do the same?

    With Joy,

  • Heart Transformation: the Power of Choosing Joy

    Woman Jumping for Joy – Sunset

    Let’s be honest—life can be hard. Difficult situations often make us question not only the goodness of God but even His presence. Yet, the truth remains: God is good, and He is with us, no matter what challenges this world may bring. Over the years, I’ve discovered that one simple shift in our mindset can make all the difference. Choosing to trust the Lord and embrace joy in every circumstance has transformed my life.

    Joy is more than a fleeting sense of happiness. It’s a conscious decision to focus on the positive, regardless of what we face. When we choose joy, we deliberately embrace peace and contentment in each situation. This shift doesn’t just lift our spirits—it builds resilience, enabling us to navigate hardships with grace and strength.

    Choosing joy also transforms our perspective. Instead of being consumed by stress or negativity, joy helps us focus on who is truly in control (spoiler: it’s not us). This mental shift opens the door to trusting God fully. When we trust Him in both the good and the bad, our faith grows stronger.

    Joy opens the door to many good things. When we approach others with a joyful heart, we radiate positivity—and that positivity is contagious. A joyful spirit can uplift those around us, creating a ripple effect that spreads through our families, churches, workplaces, and communities, transforming lives.

    I know this isn’t always easy. Can we really choose joy when life throws us curveballs? Absolutely! We have the power to control our reactions. When we prioritize joy, we fill our lives with meaning, purpose, and connection, building a foundation for a truly abundant life in Jesus Christ.

    With Joy,

  • Joy-Filled Faith: Where is Your Focus?

    If you are reading this, I am going to assume that you are a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ and that you are either intrigued by the thought of a joy-filled faith, or that you in a place where you are in desperate need of joy.

    Let me assure you – wherever you are. I believe that there is a place for you here and a lesson to learn that will enrich your faith.

    Lets go back a few years…

    I accepted Jesus Christ when I was a child and was lucky to grow up in a home that focused on living with faith. But it was also legalistic and sometimes centered primarily on my behavior. The way I am wired has made it hard for me to find joy in my walk with Jesus because I was always very aware of my shortcomings and flat out failures.

    I spent many years checking boxes. Studying the Bible. Following the “rules”. Serving in church and the community. Raising a family. Living a full and happy life.

    My life was (is) full of wonderful memories and experiences. Packed with joy. BUT, my faith was not.

    Let me say that again. Life was good. Full of joy. BUT my faith was not.

    My faith was obedient and deep. But not filled with joy.

    The journey to a joy-filled faith is what I want to share with you.

    It all began with a simple song about joy from childhood. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment, but it began popping into my head over and over again. I would find myself humming the tune, singing the words and then one day… I realized it was what I was missing. Joy in my faith!

    Here are the words:

    J. O. Y. what a wonderful way to spell joy.

    J is for Jesus and He takes first place

    O is for others you meet face to face

    Y is for you, so whatever you do, put yourself last and spell joy.

    It dawned on me that I was living my faith focused on myself. My behavoir. My mistakes. My works. My faith.

    Not Jesus.

    I was living my faith backwards.

    Stop and think about your faith. Are you focused on yourself? Your behavior? Your works? Your mistakes?

    Are you checking your “faith-living boxes” but missing putting Jesus first?

    I’m going to wrap this up for now, because there will be a lot of opportunity to talk about this more. For today, spend some time meditating on how you live your faith. Is it focused on your actions or on Jesus? Who He is, what He has done, and what He wants to do in our lives.

    Take a look at these verses. Pray for God to reveal himself.

    John 3:16; John 14:6; John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:8-11

    With joy,