One of the surprising things, to me, about the Christmas story, is the way Joseph & Mary’s hearts yield themselves to God. Mary submits… despite her age despite her singleness despite the challenges it would mean for her despite the judgment of her community Joseph submits… despite the way things would look despite the “cost”…
Tag: heart change
Stop Waiting For a Zap
Today I want to ask you something: Have you been waiting for the elusive “zap?” What I mean by that is: Are you waiting for something to happen TO you in one of these areas: Is your child throwing tantrums and out of control? Are you in a marriage slump? Is your house a wreck? Are…
“Make No Provision” For Your Yelling
We’ve talked about yelling before here. I’ve made it no secret that yelling has been a struggle for me as a mom… but I have also increasingly found self-control and “success” in this area. Perhaps you struggle with yelling… as a wife? as a mom? I don’t know your exact situation… but I want to…
The Opposite of the Proverbs 31 Woman
Several years ago, I was able to take a basic biblical counseling class, and one of the sessions focused in on the “Anti-Psalm.” This exercise was a challenge for us to better understand what a text is saying by carefully thinking through the exact opposite meaning. It can be very insightful to look at the “opposite” of what we…
Are You a “Mommy Martyr?”
What is a “mommy martyr?” This mom: steps up to “do it all,” taking on more than she can cheerfully do, then feels bitterness and frustration doesn’t ask (but still expects) others to help may keep an internal “list” of all the things she does that no one else appreciates magnifies her own responsibilities, contributions, and burdens, and…
Just MYOB
Have you ever caught yourself listening to a sermon on someone else’s behalf? What I mean by that is, are you mentally internally saddened because, “so-and-so SURE COULD BENEFIT from hearing this,” but she isn’t there? Or perhaps you’re cheering the pastor on because you think, “Boy, I hope that couple across the aisle is paying…
“THAT Sin” Does Not Define You
“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.” ~1 John 2:12 Does one sin (or sin area) come into your mind when I say, “‘THAT sin’ does not define you?” I’ll be honest and tell you that I used to– as a believer– live under the weight…
Embracing Spiritual Growth (Without Despising the Growing Pains)
When our children are little– still young and immature– the discipline and structure we give them is for their good, because they do not yet possess the guardrails that will help them, for example, to get the rest they need. But note: they do not often see these things as “good.” They want to do…
5 Questions About Your Spiritual Growth
We have a bush, a beautiful bush that used to grow in our yard. (It was a Japanese Barberry— love them!!) But that was exactly the problem. It grew in the yard-– it had been planted in the middle of the grass. For two years, I mowed AROUND the bush, week in, week out. So earlier this…
What Is Happening In Your Heart When You Yell?
Last week, I shared how yelling is connected to my stress level, and many of you identified & shared your own struggles. Today I want to dig deeper. A common theme, for me and from you in the comments, was that we tell ourselves lies about the yelling that we do. We lie to minimize the…