One of my greatest blessings occurred when I was part of a Christian community that allowed me to serve others anonymously at a spiritual retreat. These ladies I served never knew my name or saw me during the weekend. I worked behind the scenes. However, I knew their names and prayed over each of them as I served.That retreat was filled with many people willing to give up a weekend to serve. I am ...  Read More

I love helping others and have done so most of my life. I’ve worked in fast food, customer service, and counseling. I have also volunteered in church ministry. All these jobs require giving of yourself and putting the needs of others first.Jesus says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each ...  Read More

Remember the days when the postman delivered mail to your letterbox, and it wasn’t just a bill in the envelope? Before mobile phones and email, people wrote letters and sent cards. Now it feels like a dying art.Today we have lightning-fast alternatives to connect with others: phones, instant messaging, abbreviated language – lol! We no longer take the time to put pen to paper and share heartfelt w...  Read More

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another" (1 Peter 4:10 NLT).When I was 14, I signed up to be a Candy Striper at our town’s hospital. For all those below the age of sixty-five, let me explain exactly what a Candy Striper is and does. A Candy Stripers’ duty was to volunteer each week to help the nurses with things like making su...  Read More

It’s early, my favorite time of the day.  Time for a cup of coffee and connection.  I look through the morning paper and catch up with what’s happening in our community, state, and the world—page after page of headlines that primarily reflect challenging issues, sadness, trauma, and trouble.  My heart hurts with each page.  I shake my head at what others have done or said, for what seems to be mos...  Read More

It’s December! Christmas is only a few weeks away as I write this message.  It seems it has been Christmas since early September when all the stores and local shops began setting out the decorations, sales, and everything holiday!  Strange, we seem to “celebrate” way before the time is near, and what we “celebrate” is nothing more than buying and buying…it makes me sad.The birth and life of Jesus ...  Read More

In Isaiah 53, the beautiful prophecy brought hope to Israel seven hundred years before Messiah would come as a babe in a manger. These words were fulfilled over 2,000 years ago through the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and bring hope to us today.“Surely he took our pain and bore our suffering…he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the...  Read More

What does it mean to adore Jesus, especially as we approach this holiday season?  Read More

 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 NIVIt’s hard to explain what a gift Jesus has been to my life. It’s not something I can tangibly express to a skeptic, but hopefully, it is evident in the way I conduct my life as a f...  Read More

Darkness and worry are hard on the body. Our Creator made us to withstand a lot, but He doesn’t want hardship for us. People hurt people, and poor personal choices are part of this life—God calls us to lean on and trust Him through those times.   Read More

I am loved by Love Himself, yet I often have a hard time understanding why. I read the truth of this in Scripture but don’t know how to believe it about myself. In doing this, I doubt the very heart and nature of God. As a Christ-follower, I am an heir and child of the King. It is right and good to honor God by loving myself as He loves me. This requires knowing what true love looks like (1 Cor. 1...  Read More

Love God by Janet   Read More