Is discipline a consequence or a gift? The answer depends on where you have rooted your identity. As a little girl, I learned how to gain my parents' approval from a young age. Be good, do good, be better, do better, don't be a hassle, don't make waves. The problem was that no one could always be good, so inevitably, this led to[...]
My story, PRIOR to being rescued by the saving grace of Jesus, was not very pretty. I was not a person who sought to help or support others. My focus was specifically all about ME. I loathed Christians. I thought of them as hollow puppets with no understanding of anything beyond a bunch of rules that they blindly followed. Whil[...]
While in prayer, asking the Lord what He would have me write about for this month’s Heartstrong Blog Post, I immediately saw a picture of a rock being thrown into water and ripples being generated out from the place of the rock's impact. This image came along with the thought that what we say matters. Even a smile or one word[...]
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 (ESV). Come close to God, and God will come close to you. I remember life before constant digital noise: no inbox pings, Twitter tweets or Instagram notifications. Because of the Covid-19[...]
Whenever we would be driving long distances with our kids, we would limit screens and devices. Inevitably, every single time there would be an eruption of complaints. Even though we remained consistent on our road trip rules, the ever-wondering question would be raised, "What else are we supposed to do?" The answer was always, "[...]
“Mirror, mirror on the wall; who’s the fairest of them all?” The queen nodded and smiled brightly at her reflection when the mirror confirmed that it was still her beauty that outshone everyone else’s. She fixed an unruly lock of her glossy black hair and blew herself a kiss. She would ask someone to draw her a bath lat[...]
"So the Church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied." Acts 9:31 (ESV). What a time it must have been! The ACTS church. Focused and Faith-filled. Grounded and Grateful. Prayerful and Potent. Christ[...]
Why do we despise that which is good for us? Why do we see discipline as negative, harmful, and prevention of living our truest selves? I want another donut, just one more episode, just one more drink, just one more click, scroll, or post, indulgences that lead us to hate ourselves after but in the moment feel so authentically[...]
It's almost like we are allergic to repentance and forgiveness. Think about it? When was the last time someone came to you and simply said, "I was wrong; please forgive me?" Recently I received an apology from someone in our church; the email began with, "I might have been a little harsh... I had a bad week…." In a later comm[...]
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, honor God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians.6:19-20) (ESV). Paul piques our interest by asking, "Do you not know" as if we h[...]