We hear of persecution around the world, but do we truly pause to pray for those who are currently be persecuted? More Christians are being persecuted today than in the history of the church. Next week in Iran, American Pastor Saeed Abedini is being tried for being a “threat to national security.” His crime? Becoming a Christian. If convicted, Pastor Saeed will hang. The U.S. State…
I’ve been studying family therapy, and it turns out that research shows a link between maternal depression after divorce and childhood depression and behavior problems. Shortly after divorce, moms often experience stress, financial troubles, and changes in friendships (might lose some of their couple friends), and her parenting style often declines as she tries to cope with these new life changes. As a result, children and teens often…
Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Linked In. Pinterest. Social media — what’s a girl to do? Our youth at church were recently challenged to find ways to fast from technology. As I talked with my daughter about what we could give up, I realized just how much my life is connected technologically. Social media isn’t just a way to connect with friends but its become an integral…
Everyone knows that being a single parent is tough, but unless you’ve lived it, you really have no idea just how much pressure single parents feel. Many single parents fall into one of two categories: the victim or the superhero. I’ve met single parents who continually play the “victim” card. They believe that life has dealt them a bum hand (and for many it has),…
Sometimes even though you know something is true, it takes a while for the reality of it to sink in. For years I dreamed of being an author, and even though I have published a book, I still have a hard time thinking of myself as an author. I recently read where someone wrote, “So now that you’re an author, start thinking like one.” I…
This month marks the seventh year anniversary of Michael’s death. In the Bible, the seventh year was often known as the Year of Jubilee. Many indentured servants were granted their freedom in the seventh year. Many Israelites were forgiven of their debts in the Year of Jubilee, and landowners gave their land rest from farming in the seventh year. The seventh year was a time…