At the beginning of October, I was invited to attend the “She Leads America” launch in Washington, DC. Through a connection with my mentor I was introduced to Liz Doyle, the “She Leads” founder. This group was started in Michigan with the intention of recognizing and encouraging Christian women of influence. The women that are […]

Are you looking for a Christian or spiritual mentor? I found myself in this situation several years ago. My initial thought was to automatically assume the pastor’s wife or the pastor himself would be that for me. However, I realized quickly having the kind of intimate relationship I desired would not be very likely. I found a mentor by outlining a few things of importance. In this post, I will share the qualities as well as the questions you should consider as you select and approach a potential Christian mentor. 

You don’t have to accept whatever thoughts fall into your head…did you catch that? I’ll repeat another way. If a thought isn’t helpful you can reject and replace it. We are not at the mercy of whatever we think. We have the power to change our thoughts. That is the essence of renewing your mind. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV

For those of you who know me, you know that I recently took a job as a full-time substitute teacher at my kid’s middle school. I am with teenagers five days a week. Let’s just say there are some kids that are going to be amazing adults. There are others who need a whole lot […]

Facing Fear with Faith: A Story “Truman!” My husband gasped. I turned around to see my young son sitting stunned. I realized he wasn’t conscious although his eyes were open. In a matter of a few seconds, he regained consciousness in pain. He had been teetering on a metal railing like a typical eleven-year-old boy […]

My brother and sister-in-law have adopted this amazing encouraging phrase for their daughter who is two. When she gets hurt by falling over or running into something, they immediately tell her to say, “I’m tough.” After she says it through her tears they tell her to say “I’m super tough.” Humor is an effective tool to diffuse tense situations and build connections to our children. How can we incorporate humor to parent well?

If you are a Mom you have experienced a sleepless night. Guaranteed. Whether sleeplessness was from waking to care for a sick child, or worried for a teenager who missed curfew you’ve been there and done that. What did you do to overcome the anxiety and knock-on physical depletion from an unwanted all-nighter? I used to drink copious amounts of coffee. Then I tried a regimented night-time routine for everyone in the house. (That lasted for about a week) Lastly, I got some really powerful advice from a friend and a pastor. My cure for sleeplessness was going to battle in prayer.

Dating is supposed to be fun. While Christians may not do everything that their secular counterparts do, that doesn’t mean we cannot enjoy life. I hope this list gives you some great ideas to explore new things, have meaningful conversations with your partner, and strengthen your love for one another. If you are married don’t stop dating! It is one of the single greatest contributing factors to marriage satisfaction.

In my house most people call me “Mom.” That means I gave birth to a couple of the members of our household, two of them to be exact. While the title of mom implies that biologically I am responsible for their upbringing it encompasses so much more. I didn’t have any grand ideas about how beautifully warm and fuzzy motherhood would be. I had done enough babysitting and nannying to know that children can be tiny terrorists. However, I didn’t fully understand ALL that it would require.

I relate all too well with my friend. I pack every moment of every day with something. Whether it is work, laundry, a lunch date, serving at church, or attending the third baseball game of the week my schedule is packed. I like it that way. There is something about being busy that validates I am contributing to society. The problem with that mindset is that it depletes us over time. We cannot go 100 miles per hour without occasionally taking time to fill the tank.