Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4,...

It had been a wonderful day! We were all tired after hiking Grandfather Mountain and stopping on the way home to picnic beside a pristine North Carolina creek. Bedtime preparation was proceeding amazingly well. All that mountain air and country cooking was a natural...

Learning to control anger is a crucial life lesson – one that we need to master and pass on to our children.  Up until my young adult years, I had a huge temper.  It took very little to make me furious.  In moments of anger, I would slam doors, hurl various objects...

Diane was visiting in the home of some friends. Time passed quickly as each shared their various experiences of the past year. She ended up staying longer than she had planned and had to walk home alone. But she wasn't afraid because it was a small town and she lived...

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10, NKJV). Jesus lived and died so that we can experience abundant life, a life exuding joy, and a life so full that others crave to know the source of that fullness. Jesus did...

But Lord, You are our father. We are like clay, and You are the potter; Your hands made us all (Isaiah 64:8, NCV).  When our daughter was in pre-school, one of her favorite activities was playing with clay. Danna often pulled her little step stool over to the closet...

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV). When our grandson Justus was five years old. He participated in his first 3K race. I am in awe of him at this point in life for many reasons, but running a...

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11, NIV). As a grandmother, I can testify to the importance of gates. Shortly after our...

Being with You will fill me with joy; at Your right hand I will find pleasure forever (Psalm 16:11, NCV).

Our seven-year-old grandson was very sick and in the hospital for seven days. Justus had both a bacterial infection as well as a serious viral infection.

Set your sails for joy! Celebrate! Revel in who God is, in what He has done, is doing and will do in your life when you choose joy.