Tag: holyspirit
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Love One Another (Like Jesus)
Love one another…as I have loved you. These are some of the last words Jesus spoke to His disciples before his crucifixion. The world does not understand this kind of love. The world says: Love those who love you. Love those who look like you, talk like you and agree with you. The world divides…
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Seeking Strength Within the Struggles of Life
If there’s one common diagnosis (besides viral illnesses) I see often in my medical practice, it’s anxiety. We all carry worries. High social standing or a stellar financial portfolio do not make us immune to life’s challenges. They only lead us to believe we can handle every set back on our own. But this couldn’t…
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Prayer: A Pathway Toward Peace of Mind
Chronic stress is at an all-time high. In a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, a majority of Americans said their stress levels had increased and around 75% reported physical or emotional symptoms due to stress. Many factors contribute to this up tic but according to the Bureau of Statistics, money is the biggest…
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Discovering How to Be Still and Wait on the Lord
If you were to ask anyone who knows me well to rank my strengths, knowing how to be still and wait wouldn’t even make the list. I’m the first to admit, calmness within a delay is not a quality I possess. But if you need ideas and action, I’m your girl. Give me a problem…
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Open Our Eyes to See and Ears to Hear
The world competes for our attention. A variety of influencers from movie stars to media moguls vie for our interests. Politicians and corporate leaders work to redirect our focus toward their own agendas. With all these voices clamoring to garner our notice, how do we sort through the beneficial messages from the harmful ones? Do…
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God’s Grace Is Never Stagnant
The Jordan river in Israel flows into the Sea of Galilee then moves southward until it ends in the Dead Sea. It enters and leaves the Sea of Galilee, vibrant and full of life. Fishermen are still seen on the shores of the lake, as in Jesus’ time on earth, harvesting the tilapia that thrive there. In contrast, when the Jordan…
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Walking With God: A Powerful Partnership
Hiking is my passion. Over my lifetime, I’ve found that nothing calms my soul like a trek through the forest. The scent of pine and the chatter of birds within the trees draw me into a holy communion with the Lord. Nature is His tabernacle. It’s in these wild places—not within the walls of a…
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Hope When Life Throws You Roadblocks
It’s difficult to maintain hope when life throws you roadblocks. This is especially true when one obstacle after another litters your path. Sometimes these situations only act as speedbumps. But at other times, they’re a massive rockslide blocking your way. How do you keep a positive attitude when these roadblocks make any forward movement impossible?…
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Seeking Out and Sustaining a Healthy Dose of Awe
When was the last time a life experience instilled in you a healthy dose of awe? If you’re like me, either mundane tasks or sensationalized information overload compose most of your day. It’s no surprise we’re left wrung out and weary by the end of the week. We resort to stimulating our brain by scrolling…
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Staying In Tune with the Spirit
Our world is full of so much noise, it’s often impossible to listen. A busy work schedule, social media distraction, 24/7 news from around the world, all vie for our attention. How are we to stay in tune with the Spirit if a constant barrage of static interferes with our connection? It’s like trying to…
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Never Forget—It’s Not About You
In this life, it’s easy for me to lose sight of my real purpose. This is especially true when I’m recovering from an injury that’s taking much longer to heal than I ever anticipated. My mood tends to go to dark places and I begin to question whether the goals I’ve set for myself are…
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A Right Time for Everything Under Heaven
Even though I’m anxious to rototill the garden as soon as warm days arrive, I force myself to wait. Patience is a must this time of year. Tender plants wilted in the frost have taught me a hard lesson. There’s a right time for everything under heaven and gardening in the spring is no exception….
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In a World Full of Discouragement, Be a Barnabas
We live in tough times. Even a casual glance at events in the national and global news leave most of us shaking our heads. Add personal problems with finances or health to these outside forces and it’s easy to lose heart. How do we combat the darkness that threatens to invade our souls? There are…
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Lord, Let Me Offer My Breath as a Prayer
The mountain air is clear and crisp this morning. I inhale its freshness, releasing a deep sigh. Oh, how thankful I am to return to Appalachia. Its sheer beauty calms my troubled soul. I offer my breath as a prayer—not knowing exactly what to pray, I allow the Spirit to work in me and through…
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How to Find Inspiration When the Spring Runs Dry
I intended to write a blog earlier this week, but it wasn’t happening. A multitude of ideas bounced in my head yet none of them felt right. With every little thing causing a distraction, the flow of my creativity came to a halt. It wasn’t the first time I’ve struggled with how to find inspiration…
