People often talk about practicing spiritual disciplines. You may wonder what that means and why it's significant.
The practice of spiritual discipline promotes spiritual growth among followers of Jesus Christ. People have practiced spiritual disciplines since Biblical times as ways of experiencing the power of God.
Many spiritual disciplines can help encourage spiritual growth, but today I will focus on four you can use regularly to maintain your spiritual health.
Bible Study
While this may...
I will never forget the first time I asked God to speak to me in His word. I was seeking direction after years of eating disorders at the age of 18. I opened my Bible to Roman’s 12:2, and it spoke directly to my heart!
The bible tells us in Romans 12:2-3 that we have the ability to discern God’s perfect will in every area of our lives. It says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s...
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
Did you ever notice how many of Jesus' blessings were a direct response to faith on the part of the recipient? Jesus did not tell the leper, "By my power, I will heal you." He didn't tell the bleeding woman about the Father's will for healing. He always...
Do you know it’s Gods will to heal you in your disappointments, as well as your most broken places!?
Sometimes I think we tuck the deeply broken places away, thinking if we just ignore them long enough, they will eventually resolve themselves.
When I had a emergency C-section with Ollie, I cried and felt so broken that I didn’t have the birth I imagined or desired. I took my disappointment to him just days free coming home from the hospital, and He gave me such a clear word of redemption and...
"The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” Proverbs 13:4
As a parent, I try to teach and model the concept of “doing the difficult things first.” It's challenging because it's the opposite of our human nature. We tend to go in the direction of the easy path. However, it isn't always the most fruitful path. It is rare that the things worth doing are also the easy ones. Taking on the difficult tasks in your day, to-do list, and your...
It's hard to be a teenager. In my opinion, it's never been more challenging than it is now.
My daughter recently told me that her friends have begun abstaining from food, dieting, and even purging to be thinner and more “socially acceptable” over the past year or so.
I have been discussing this topic with her lately, as social media, cultural pressures, and skimpy fashion trends make it increasingly difficult for teens to navigate one of the most challenging times of their lives.
As a...
“Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2
As a child, my mother used to warn me, “Be careful with your friends. You become like the people you spend most of your time with.” Now that I have my own kids, I am even more aware of this. Choosing our company carefully is critical. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we tend to emulate and act like the people we...
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27 (NLT)
Have you ever experienced a relationship where the other person did most of the talking? In such situations, chances are you never felt that they truly knew you. Establishing a solid connection is difficult if they never ask or inquire about you and your life. My spiritual journey has taught me that sometimes the most beneficial thing we can do is zip it when we are with the Lord to grow closer to Him.
It is not...
Most of us would prepare for a severe storm if we knew it was coming.
Having lived through two Midwest winters, my perspective of storms has changed. If I knew a storm was imminent, I would stock up on food. I would ensure that I had candles, warm clothes, and chargers for my handheld devices. Knowing that a storm is coming provides the opportunity to prepare. It's intuitive for most of us. Interestingly, the emotional eating process and preventing restrictive feelings are remarkably similar,...
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
There is nothing more spectacular than fall in the Midwest. The spectrum of colors is difficult to describe. I stood in awe yesterday morning, gazing at a painted sunrise sky and rainbow of changing leaves. As I tried to take it all in, I praised God for His great love for us. What a wonderful gift He...
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