How to Overcome Fear

Fear can have a debilitating effect in our lives. It is easy when we look at the world around us and the things that are happening to give in to fear -to be fearful of what tomorrow holds. But there is a way out. Last week we looked at some of the wisdom and practical advice in Romans 8. And is it Romans we turn again to read how to deal with fear. It is by not going back and giving in to the path we were on before- the path of sin, the old life. We have moved on … Continue reading

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? Part 2

Yesterday we saw how we need to make the most of the freedom we have to further the cause of the gospel, by taking the opportunities we have. As Paul underwent his imprisonment not only the guards came to hear the gospel message but other Christians were encouraged and trusted in God because of the faith they saw in Paul. What’s more, rather than them cowering in fear afraid to speak out, they actually grew in ‘courage to speak the word of God without fear’ Philippians 1:14. Plus, the numbers of believers trusting God was growing. That’s often the way … Continue reading

Tell Them Before It’s Too Late

Sometimes God stops us in our tracks and gives us times to recharge our batteries, whether we like it or not. This week has been like that for me. As I’ve struggled with the flu, it’s been a case of doing the essentials. Anything else has had to be put on hold. So, it’s been a week of bible study and prayer, writing my blogs but little else, and doing crosswords, reading or watching DVDs, when the head could not focus on print. This means several of my blogs have, or will, result from movies I’ve watched. One was ‘The … Continue reading

Suspicion (1941)

Joan Fontaine won an Oscar for her role in “Suspicion” as Lina, a young woman who is given to reading books, riding horses, and living a quiet life with her parents on their country estate. She is traveling home by train when she meets up with Johnny (Cary Grant) a charming rascal who manages to “borrow” some of his train fare from her. He comes to a fox hunt on her estate and manages to schmooze her, breaking down her natural walls. When he doesn’t return as promised, she realizes how much she likes him, so much so that when … Continue reading

Too Many Baby Boomers are Facing Alzheimer’s

A new report from the Alzheimer’s Association has some bad news about the future of Alzheimer’s disease. Right now, more than five million Americans are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease — including as many as 250,000 people under the age of sixty-five. By 2010, the Alzheimer’s Association predicts that there will be five hundred thousand new cases reported each year. By 2050, the Alzheimer’s Association predicts that there will be one million new cases of Alzheimer’s disease annually. The bad news focuses especially on baby boomers. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that ten million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s disease in their … Continue reading

Accepting Our Children’s Pain

As a parent, I know that there is nothing more difficult and upsetting to me than when my children experience pain. I want to stop it; do anything I can to keep them from suffering and feeling pain and it can be incredibly hard to be present, listen, and be compassionate without getting angry and wanting to jump into revenge mode. In order to be able to be truly available for our children, however, we may need to be fully present and accept their pain first. It can be especially hard when we have done something that has caused our … Continue reading

Scrapbooking Withdrawal and How I Conquered It

First I would like to say it is really nice to be back and cozy with my family at families.com. I have missed you all while I took a break in November to get some writing done and other projects. I am happy to be back and look forward to sharing some all new and fun articles to get you on your scrapbooking way. Now, onto the bigger statement at hand. I suffered from Scrapbooking Withdrawal during all the time. I had absolutely no spare minutes to spend doing one of the things I love to do most. So I … Continue reading

Gospel Doctrine: Sorrow Turned to Joy

As Christ prepares Himself to leave His disciples, He warns them of His impending death. He knows that they will view His crucifixion with pain and sorrow. And yet, he promises that “your sorrow shall be turned to joy” (John 16:20). Two thousand years later, we look at the atonement of Christ almost always from a joyful standpoint. After all, it was because He took our sins upon Him that we are able to return home. Similarly, we would not be able to be resurrected had He not first suffered death and then resurrection, and so we would not be … Continue reading