I sometimes become tired of self-help books that suggest marriages would be harmonious if we understood that there are innate differences in men and women. It’s not that I don’t believe we have differences, it’s just that often these books address stereotypes rather than useful differences. Over the past few years, I have become encouraged by an admonition Peter gives women through the Holy Spirit in 1 Peter 3:4 when he writes, “but let your adorning be …

In the adult Bible class, Wednesday night 5/11/11 and Sunday 5/15/11, we discussed some of the recorded prayers in the Bible and what we can learn from them. Marilyn Smith shared the following with the class. It is a wonderful Prayer of Praise to our Heavenly Father. Thank you, Marilyn, for sharing this with us.
 
David’s Prayer: 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 (NIV)
10 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
“Praise be to You, LORD,
the God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the …

 
What is meditation and how will it help us to confront the daily challenges of our faith?
 
Ok, so, “What’s in your head?” There are several scriptures that talk about meditation and or thinking and the benefits or sins that result:
 
Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise worthy- MEDITATE on these things.”
 
Paul had just told the Philippians …

‘..therefore, you all shine like stars in the universe to this crooked generation…’ Philippians 2:15
I read the verse above last week and to be honest, I just wasn’t feeling it.
Apparently this is one of those bottom line verses. A command, not a suggestion.
You should shine. Period.
But sometimes, friends, I just don’t feel very shiny. How about you? Do you ever feel that life has just dragged you through the mud?
That stress and sadness and fear and frustration have rubbed at you …

A few years ago, when I just had four children and when the oldest was still three, I loaded them all up to go on a walk. After the final sippy cup had found a place and we were ready to go, my two-year-old turned to me and said, “Wow! You have your hands full!”
She could have just as well said, “Don’t you know what causes that?” or “Are they all yours?!”
Everywhere you go, people want to talk about your children. Why you shouldn’t have had …