One of the hardest parts about growing up in a Christian home is dealing with doubt. My doubts about faith came early in my teens, and I can recall feeling like there must be something wrong with me. Having taken classes, watched my parents and grandparents harness their faith in trying times, and…
“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Ephesians 4:7 I want a lot for my kids. I want them to be happy and successful. I want them to follow their passions, make a difference, and experience peace. But more than anything I want my…
Choosing Joy at Christmas Christmas can feel complicated. We can feel lots of emotions at once: harried with many things to do, spread thin inside a calendar filled with parties and people you may or may not actually want to see, longing for—or freedom from—Christmases past, with a ribbon of delight and a…
*The following is excerpted from an online article posted on PsychCentral. Students who take practice tests before the real test — a strategy known as retrieval practice — tend to achieve higher scores, even under high-stakes pressure, according to a new study by researchers at Tufts University. The findings suggest that the practice tests protect…
*The following is excerpted from an online article posted on Business Insider. When it comes to maintaining friendships, teens don’t text. Snapchat is the most popular platform among teenagers. It’s a place to post pictures and videos, but teens mainly use it as a communication tool. One of the ways that Snapchat keeps its users engaged is…
Note: We’re doing a 4-week Advent (challenge) to center on Jesus. Learn more and join us here. Christmas crunch time has arrived. In fact, I’m a little shocked you’re reading this because I figured everyone would be busy with events and travel and last-minute errands. But here you are, so let’s talk. I want…
Splink 1: Listen When Jesus appeared to three of His disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration, they were allowed to see His glory. Jesus was not just a man, but He was the Son of God. God spoke to told them that He was pleased with His Son and to listen to Him…
Trending Today on Twitter – 12/16/16 1. #HighCastle 2. #ImNotAMillionaireBecause 3. #NationalUglySweaterDay 4. #WhiteLiesOnMyResume 5. #YesSheCan 6. #2017Predictions 7. Useful Idiots Galore 8. Munhall 9. Logan Ryan 10. Albany County Source: Twitter Trending Today on Google – 12/16/16 1. Rogue One Trailer 2. Craig Sager 3. Seahawks 4. Blake Lively 5. Dylann Roof…
I have had the worst year ever. I don’t mean compared to other peoples’ years. I’m not so ignorant as to think that I have a particularly hard life when compared to so many others. However. In my world, 2016 has been one heck-of-a roller coaster. But not like a smooth,…
It’s mid-December. The temperatures have dropped, only half of the presents are bought, and none of them are wrapped. The stockings are not hung by the chimney with care, but instead are spilling out of the box sitting in the middle of the living room, half-unpacked. And the tree…well, it’s happily sitting in the…