How Do You Respond To Stress And Hard Times?

By Kevin (Shooting the Breeze)

This past week was not a very good week for me.  On Tuesday afternoon I had a pallet of drywall land on my foot.  One word: OUCH!  Thankfully nothing was broken but it hurt and it still hurts!  Thursday morning, I found out that I have Type 2 Diabetes.  This was not the news that I wanted to hear.  Then to top off the week, later that afternoon the window on our van was smashed by vandals.  Ugh!  I felt like Alexander from Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

I have a confession to make.  I don’t deal well with stress and hard times.  My first reaction is to fall apart.  I begin to think negative thoughts.  I begin to shut down and all I want to do is crawl into some hole and stay there.  I know … not very healthy!  Unfortunately, this past week I experienced all these symptoms.  Again, it was not a very good week for me. 

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We Will Dance!

By MAD21

In the midst of the insanity that life is sure to bring us, there is always one sure thing. Our longing for home, and all that word means. To be at our home with the family and friends we love and all things familiar. It brings us rest, rejuvenation, elation, security, joy and comfort.

But what I am talking about here is our home. Our true home. The one that comes after the struggles of living this life. Take a moment to think about it. This world wants to water down what it means to "go to heaven."  The world talks of it being just that sweet wonderful place in the sky people go when they die if they are good. But no! It's SO much more than that!

Can you wrap your mind around it? We get to be in the presence of HIM. Not just some famous guy who will give you an autograph in your book and shake your hand. But the ONE. The creator of all things. The creator of your most passionate feelings and emotions. The creator of all things that bear descriptions beyond our ability. Can you fathom feeling the overflow of emotions that are too overwhelming for us to feel in our human forms?

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Are You Using Your Gifts?

By Pat

Do we use the gifts God gave us wisely, in the way in which He intended for them to be used? I have to say in honesty that I probably don't, and it shames me. Sure, sometimes I do. But is that good enough?

Several chapters in Exodus describe the construction of the temple and the ark, the alter and the making of the priestly garments. And although God's instructions for each item were very concise, everything was carried out to perfection from the curtains to the tabernacle to the perfumed anointing oil. God's plan was carried out successfully because the talents needed to complete God's plan were used obediently. (Exodus 36:1).

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He Has Overcome The World

By Pat

This morning, for my morning devotional, I read Acts 12:1-19. I am familiar with the story...as you may be too. Peter had been imprisoned by Herod, and the situation was dire. He was in chains and was guarded as well, so there seemed to be no hope for escape. But Peter was in for a big surprise. The night before he was to go on trial, angels came to the prison and Peter was set free.

Now, the timing of me reading that particular scripture could not have been better. I have been struggling of late with very heavy and difficult issues, but instead of being imprisoned by tangible chains, I have been imprisoned by invisible chains of doubt and fear. I have allowed Satan, not King Herod, to lock me up and fill me with terrible feelings. Feelings that I don't even like to acknowledge to myself.

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Being Still

By MAD21

I have written before about one of my favorite times of the day. I was reminded of this post tonight when tucking my oldest daughter into bed. She's been having a rough time adjusting to being in school everyday, and therefore, not with me. She is a very social child. She loves her friends, her school, and her teachers. But apparently, they don't take the place of Mom. Which I am actually happy about (I know, that might change in about 8-10 years). I'm glad she misses me and is still unhindered and unafraid to express herself to me.

I have to admit, I struggle with the separation a lot myself. Since school started, we've all been insanely busy. Two different school schedules, work schedules, working on this blog, soccer, riding lessons, friend's needs, family needs, baths, shopping, keeping the house from overflowing with toys, dirty clothes, dishes, and dust bunnies... It can be a bit overwhelming at times.

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