I have learned that focusing on what I cannot do does not create anything positive in my life, but only serves to bring me down. Instead, focusing on what I can do brings me joy and allows me a greater opportunity to give thanks regardless of my circumstances.

Jesus was full of both truth AND grace. If there are only rules without a relationship, people will rebel. If there are only relationships without rules, people will believe what they want, adapting to many other kinds of religion, or no religion at all. We need to have both!

On January 2, 2023, a very standard football game, meant to entertain and unite fans, had an extraordinary and extremely unexpected result: Terror. Fear. Pain. The response: People began to pray. When we choose to pray, what appears as a tragedy in our lives becomes an unexpected opportunity to see, feel, and witness God’s presence.

It is for sure helpful to receive encouragement and affirmation from others. We are to love others by providing that. However, what is more deeply important is receiving what God offers us: His presence, His promise, and His power.

God’s call on our life isn’t a linear, timely plan. Abraham’s story invites us to remember that calling often looks like wandering and waiting.

In a healthy fear of the Lord, God hasn’t given you a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and a sound mind. We fear God by taking refuge in Him. We fear God by choosing to run to Him in the midst of our problems instead of the world. Family, we must draw near to Him to establish a healthy fear of Him.

There's a gift in today - find it! Not only does our Heavenly Father know all things, but He can do all things! Jesus knows the situation you're stressing about right now. And He can do something about it!

While the blessings of being Jesus’ disciple, a child of the Most High God, are too numerous to count, I wonder how many of us have actually considered what it costs to be a disciple of Jesus? The reality is that Jesus does not want a blind, naïve commitment that expects only blessings.

Our grandson, Emery, loves our Fisher Price Nativity set and, as an almost three year old, spent a lot of time moving the pieces around. We’d talk about “baby Jesus” and all of the nativity scene characters and animals. I so badly wanted to be able to know all that was going on in that little mind. I wonder… Should we leave the nativity set up year round?

As we embark on a brand new year (yay!!!), how are you beginning to shape your schedule? Being stuck is not where you’d like to direct your 2023 energies - amIright?! Listen, the more you choose to create margin, space, or holes for holiness in all of your doings, the less anxious and pressured to over commit you’ll begin to feel. A fresh rhythm will begin to emerge between you and God, and naturally, the more you will begin to grow. Let’s do it!