Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Martin Luther King, Jr.   Download an 8x10 of this image here.   Today we honor a man who made a difference. A man of influence and leadership and passion. A man most notable for being a change agent. A thinking man. A man who counted the cost and was willing to pay the price for equality between the races. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who loved God, who sought to live a Christlike life, and follow God's will and calling on his life, no matter what. And it's for … [Read more...]

  If you listen to today's news or watch images of violence and hate flash across your screen it's easy to become discouraged. Maybe that's why this quote from the 1600's by English Puritan and clergyman, Thomas Manton, struck me.  It's incredibly relevant for the 21st century... more than 400 years after it was first penned.What an excellent ground of hope and confidence we have when we reflect upon these three things in prayer ~ the Father's love, the Son's merit, and the Spirit's power. --Thomas Manton Click HERE to DOWNLOAD this free 8x10 Thomas Manton QUOTE Printable for personal use.  Slip it … [Read more...]

  Do you battle with anxiety?     After a few incidents with slippery roads, like the time I uncontrollably coasted off an icy road and skated between a power pole and a row of cars in a used car lot while driving my husband's new car, I became fearful about driving or riding in a car anytime the roads became even slightly dusted with snow.  I still struggle with it to varying degrees, though all-wheel drive has helped those fears decrease a bit. [wink] Maybe your anxieties are over getting in an accident while driving or not having enough money to put gas in the car. These … [Read more...]

  What is it that you've been ruminating about? What are you carrying in the back of your mind all the time? What are you wringing your hands over?     Most of us get caught up in worrying or fretting at some time. It takes a millisecond for a thought to take off and then... there you are... chewing on it like a dog on an old bone. It's all consuming and about as useful as that old bone. I try to not worry about things, but then I get that pain, or that email, or my husband says something, and then... if I'm not mindful of things I can jump right on the worry … [Read more...]

      Most Friday nights as Tim works, my good friend and I go out on the town.  We live it up big.  This time we split a huge plate of chicken nachos and she did a little shopping for a Mother's Day gift as we talked and laughed nonstop. In between bites at the restaurant, we chat about all kinds of things. Often my friend talks about her sons and her grandchildren.  A real prayer warrior, she covers her family with prayer daily, sometimes even asking me to pray for them, too. I'm impressed with her practical love for them, how she exercises wisdom in staying out of her adult … [Read more...]

  It's Sunday! Easter Sunday! The day we celebrate the most transformational event in history...  Jesus Christ rising from the dead.     If you think about it... there were no believers... no Christians on Good Friday. Sure, Jesus had plenty of followers up until that time... but then... most of them like Peter fled. In fact, after the crucifixion of Jesus... Peter and Jesus' other followers hid in secrecy.  They thought they would be next. But Jesus. Jesus did something totally mindblowing... After he conquered death and rose from the grave, he went to where his followers were … [Read more...]

  Do you live in fear? You can stand and face your fear square on with these tips.   When there's a catastrophic event or a tragedy like the horrific school shooting in Florida many of us find fear paralyzes us. Events like this cause parents to hold on tightly to their kids. Students and adults alike are worried about the future and about potential violence entering their smaller worlds, like schools. And this event is just one of many gone awry in our world.   Jesus said in the midst of very tumultuous and troubling times... not entirely unlike … [Read more...]

  Remember that last time you were feeling overwhelmed? Here is a way to help you out of that spot.  PLUS... a free scripture art print to download.     There's no doubt you can identify with me... Earlier this week I had a task looming before me that I absolutely was not looking forward to doing. My stress level was creeping up and up by the hour. Feeling overwhelmed, I decided to ask a few of my friends to pray. They did. And the next day that seemingly gargantuan task was accomplished fairly easily. How many times do you live in dread, for whatever reason, keeping … [Read more...]

  In order to navigate through life, this thing called faith is a necessity. Why is it that something so necessary seems so complicated?     Faith.   It's a complicated word. For some...it has great spiritual meaning. For others...it's a bit nebulous.   A long time ago, when one of the girls from my youth group got married, I created some counted cross stitch art for her as a wedding gift.  I stitched these words from Hebrews 11:1... Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Why in the world was I so enamored with this verse … [Read more...]

  Have you ever had a friend ask you to pray for her? Have you ever thought about the power you are wielding when you take her up on her request and purposefully pray? Earlier in the week I had been feeling poorly and was not doing well at all. I messaged my friend and asked her and a mutual acquaintance to pray. They did. I was greatly improved the next day. So much so that I had an extremely full and productive day.  A very good day. The next day I was up at the crack of dawn and running on full throttle.  It was pretty amazing considering how busy I was the day before. When my … [Read more...]

  This past week one of my dearest friends, after getting her son off for his freshman year at college, turned around and drove south with her daughter to help her settle into a new home for graduate school.  As she was sitting in the hotel lobby, we started to get caught up on the details of these momentous life events when something came up on the TV there and she asked if I knew about the events in Barcelona, Paris, and Charlottesville.  Frankly, beyond Charlottesville, I was unaware of the maddening attacks.  I had hardly been home all week and mostly absent from social media and news media. My … [Read more...]

  Have you ever embarked on a new project and then found yourself overwhelmed? Maybe you've been working on something for a while, but things just haven't clicked.  Or... Maybe tell yourself that if you read another book on the subject and get some expert advice, you'll figure things out. Somewhere, deep in your spirit, you sense that you were created to do something significant.     Most of us have hopes and dreams. Have you noticed... some people not only know what they were created to do, but they are doing what they were created to do?  While on the other hand, some seem … [Read more...]

  Have you had a weary week? Are you running on fumes?     Often we are incredibly busy with demands of work, family, and home.  We feel we can hardly breathe, let alone sing. Yet, our Creator God, the One Who keeps our world and our galaxy precisely spinning, the One who counts every hair on your head, He sings over you in JOY! The Lord will take delight in you,     and in his love he will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you... Zephaniah 3:17 (GNT) There is something so sweet, so loving, so powerful in those words.  Just by reading them I feel loved, … [Read more...]

  Have you ever had a hard day and out of the blue a stranger flashed you a big smile as you entered a building?  Have you sent a friend an encouraging text or message? Have you lent a helping hand only to have the person you assisted express overwhelming gratitude for your small kindness? When I came across these wonderful life words by Zig Ziglar... Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart. immediately I remembered that the best things we can give are not only FREE for us to give... but those gifts return to us in double measure. So in the spirit of … [Read more...]

  I am absolutely giddy today for this First Day of Spring! Yesterday I discovered that the pussy willows were coming on and those little soft furry little pale gray catkins were stunning against the clear blue sky.  We stopped the car to take some trimmings.  I have so many ideas... but haven't quite decided what I will do with my bundle of kittens.  You'll just have to watch the blog to see. [wink] In celebration of the First Day of Spring, I've created a sweet 8x10 printable art quote for you to print out and frame.  The colors are so soft and lovely.  I hope you can find just … [Read more...]

  March is the month that winter and spring collide.  And boy do they collide.  With unseasonably warm weather followed by whipping high winds and then snow. (I'm sorry to hear some of you are going to be walloped with a foot or more.)  March is definitely the month when the sun shines warm and the winds blow cold.  That's why I created this lovely printable quote on March for you.  It would look perfect framed alongside a pretty floral arrangement somewhere in your home. I hope you like is as much as I do...I created a FREE 8x10 printable version of this … [Read more...]

  Are you up for all that's green, Irish, and yummy that makes St. Patrick's Day fun? Then you'll love knowing I got bitten by the St. Paddy's bug. In just a short time I had cut paper, covered books, moved a few things around, and created a brand new St. Patrick's Day vignette to take the place of my Peaceful Winter Vignette.  To say I had fun is an understatement. All that goodness inspired me to find an Irish Blessing to turn into a St. Patrick's Day Quote and Printable for you. I hope you like this one... May your troubles be less,  And your blessing be more.  And nothing … [Read more...]