I highly recommend you take a moment to pull out a map or pull one up on your phone and look at it. Look at both a map of the United States and a global map that identifies the Tradewinds and wind patterns. These winds switch from season to season and depending on where you live will impact your weather.

Definitions

Lion — unsettled, harsh, cold, windy wintery

Lamb — more stable, calmer, gentler, warmer

Polar Jet Stream — northern arctic colder air pushing south

Subtropical Jet Stream — southern tropic warmer moist air pushing north

Patterns

The fluctuation between the movement of the jet streams vying for dominance determines whether the month of March comes in like a Lion or a Lamb. During the winter months the Polar Jet Stream typically can push into the southern portions of the United States. As spring unfolds, the Subtropical Jet Stream begins to push north. The push and pull between both of these streams create unstable weather.

The Farmers’ Almanac (FA) was first published in the 1790s to inform people and assist in predicting weather for agricultural planning. The FA provided estimated frost dates and planting windows, along with historical weather records. Based upon repeated FA observations of “stormy early Marches and milder late Marches,” an easy memorable slogan emerged, “In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb.”

March and Tornado Season

March is only the beginning of the tornado season. Tornado peak activity is May and June. The tornado season is transient to various parts of the United States depending on the dip and rise of the Jet Streams mentioned earlier. March tornadoes often occur in late afternoon or evening, are fast moving, and frequently occur in lines of storms that span the conflicting fronts.

Tornado season often begins in the southern plains and deep south and expands northward as the Polar Jet Stream recedes north and the upward drift of the Subtropical Jet Stream. Tornado season is characterized by strong frontal systems, deep low-pressure systems, powerful wind events, and severe thunderstorms.

Average Tornado Activity in Ohio

Ohio averages 20 tornadoes a year. Prior to 2007 tornadoes were measured by an F-Scale (Fujita). Since 2007, there has been a modification and the scale is now known as the EF-Scale (Enhanced Fujita). Most Ohio tornadoes are weak to moderate (EF0-EF1). There are some strong tornadoes (EF2-EF3), while violent tornadoes (EF4-EF5) are rare, but devastatingly historic. Western and Central Ohio typically have a higher tornado frequency west of the I-71 corridor. The flatter terrain and proximity to advancing warm fronts creates this incubator for tornado development.

Top 5 Historical Tornadoes in Ohio

1. 1974 Xenia Tornado — Xenia & Surrounding Areas

April 3, 1974

F5

34 people died (including 2 Ohio Air National Guardsmen who died in a fire during disaster assistance), 1,150 were injured, and the tornado produced widespread destruction.

This tornado was part of the infamous 1974 Super Outbreak.

2. 1924 Lorain and Sandusky Tornado — Northern Ohio

June 28, 1924

F4

85 people died and this tornado is the deadliest single tornado in Ohio history.

3. 1985 Niles and Wheatland Tornado — Northeastern Ohio & Western Pennsylvania

May 31, 1985

F5

18 people died with 310 people injured.

4. 2019 Dayton Tornado — Dayton Area

May 27, 2019

EF4

Over 160 people were injured as well as massive home and infrastructure damage.

5. 2010 Millbury Tornado — Northwest Ohio

June 5, 2010

EF4

7 people died with heavy damage in Wood County.

5 Ways to Prepare

Ohio storms move fast and you may have only minutes to respond once a warning is issued. Many tornadoes in Ohio occur in late afternoon and evening, and therefore it is important to have alerts that can wake you if you are sleeping.

1. Know Your Safe Place Before the Warning

• Basement (best option)
• If no basement: small interior room on the lowest level
• Stay away from windows
• Avoid mobile homes during warning

2. Have Multiple Ways to Receive Warnings

• A NOAA weather radio
• Emergency alerts enabled on your smartphone
• Local TV or radio broadcasts
• Weather apps with push notifications

3. Prepare a Tornado Emergency Kit

• Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Phone charger or battery pack
• First aid kit
• Bottled water
• Sturdy shoes (debris injuries are common)
• Medications and important documents

4. Be Aware of Ohio’s Seasonal Pattern

• Warm humid air masses
• Strong winds forecasted
• Enhanced or moderate risk warnings

5. Strengthen Home & Family Preparedness

• Secure loose outdoor items
• Review insurance coverage (home and auto)
• Practice a family tornado drill
• Make sure children understand where to go
• Plan for pets

We need to be aware of the weather threats, make preparations, but NOT be in FEAR! Place God’s word in your heart. God wants us to have knowledge and be aware of our surroundings because without that Hosea 4:6a states, ”My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” The Bible speaks against us having fear in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Let’s pray: “Dear God, help us be aware of the upcoming threats while simultaneously believing you have provided knowledge to increase our safety. But, most of all, we pray for your continued protection that covers us as we depend upon Psalm 91 and Psalm 23. You are our Great Shepherd and our Hiding Place. AMEN!”

The post Tornado Season Starts In March In Ohio: What To Know appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

We live in a time of constant commentary. Opinions are everywhere – on the news, on social media, in podcasts, group chats, and even at the coffee shop or grocery store. We are encouraged to have a take on everything and to share it quickly. Silence is often mistaken for indifference, and restraint can look like weakness.

It’s no surprise that many people feel mentally tired. The exhaustion doesn’t come from thinking deeply but from being pulled into reaction again and again. In a world overflowing with opinions, what many of us long for is wisdom.

The Difference between Opinions and Wisdom

Opinions are easy to form. Wisdom is not. Opinions tend to be fast, emotional, and responsive to the moment. Wisdom, by contrast, is slow. It requires listening, reflection, humility, and time. Scripture often draws this distinction. The book of Proverbs reminds us that the one who has knowledge restrains his words (Proverbs 17:27), not because words are unimportant but because discernment matters.

Not everything requires a response. One of the subtle pressures of our time is that we must weigh in on every issue, express every thought, and react publicly to every event. But biblical wisdom does not equate constant speaking with faithfulness. In fact, James warns us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19). That kind of restraint feels countercultural in an age of instant opinions.

Why Wisdom Grows Best in Listening

Wisdom grows best in listening. Wise people ask questions before making declarations. They seek understanding before judgment. They are willing to say, “I don’t know enough yet” or “This really isn’t my concern.” Choosing to listen carefully is one of the wisest things you can do.

Another difference between opinions and wisdom is volume. Opinions tend to be loud. Wisdom is often quiet. It doesn’t demand attention. Scripture describes wisdom as something we are to seek diligently, like treasure, not something we display for applause. Wisdom often shows itself not in arguments won, but in lives lived in patience, kindness, and self-control.

What Jesus Teaches Us about Discernment

Discernment in everyday life doesn’t mean disengaging from the world or caring less. It means caring more wisely. Jesus Himself modeled this. He did not respond to every accusation, answer every challenge, or explain Himself to every critic. Sometimes He spoke directly. Other times He withdrew. Wisdom includes knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.

Wisdom Shows Up in How We Live

Wisdom also reveals itself in how we live, not just in what we say. It shows up in giving others the benefit of the doubt, in kind responses, and in choosing peace over provocation. In a time when opinions are plentiful and outrage is rewarded, choosing wisdom may look unimpressive, but it is deeply profound.

We do not need fewer thoughts, but we do need to not give in to the demand to react. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). True wisdom does not come from our opinions but from humility before God.

When we slow down, listen more than we speak, and resist the pressure to weigh in on everything, wisdom can grow – often in ways that shape us far more deeply than our opinions ever could.

The post Why We Need Fewer Opinions and More Wisdom appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

I would guess that most pastors do not crave recognition. They carry quiet burdens, work long hours, make many sacrifices, and give deeply from the heart because they love the people God has placed in their care. Still, even the most faithful shepherds grow weary. They need encouragement that refreshes, not recognition that exhausts.

So, this October, what if we celebrated Pastor Appreciation Month a little differently – by offering rest instead of pressure?

1. Remember the Heart Behind It

Pastor Appreciation Month isn’t about throwing a party; it is about honoring the people God has called to lead His church. Hebrews 13:17 reminds us that our leaders keep watch over us as those who must give an account. That kind of responsibility is weighty.

When we take time to thank and encourage our pastors, we are not just being polite – we are strengthening the very people who help strengthen us. A thoughtful note, a quiet prayer, or a sincere “thank you for how you have blessed my family” can mean more than any big event ever could.

2. Look for Gentle Ways to Encourage

Your pastor doesn’t need a spotlight; they need space to breathe. Instead of another banquet or public recognition, consider smaller, more personal gestures that restore their energy:

• Pray specifically for their needs this month. Ask God to renew their strength, protect their family, and bring joy back into their ministry.
• Give the gift of time. Offer them a Sunday off or cover a week’s worth of meals so they can rest without guilt.
• Send encouragement privately. A handwritten note, a text with a favorite verse, or a card signed by the congregation can speak volumes.
• Care for the family. Remember the spouse and children who quietly support from behind the scenes. Baby sitting, grocery delivery, or gas cards can be a real help.

These quiet, thoughtful acts often communicate love more clearly than a crowded schedule of events.

3. Guard against Burnout

Many pastors won’t admit when they are tired. But ministry can be draining – emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. If you notice your pastor seems weary, resist the urge to expect “business as usual.” Offer compassion instead of criticism.

Galatians 6:9 says, Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Your gentle encouragement might be the reminder that helps your pastor keep going through a difficult season.

4. Focus on Rest and Renewal

True appreciation happens when the shepherd feels seen, cared for, and restored. Some practical ideas are to offer childcare, update his office, or do some tasks for his family. Rake the leaves, power wash the deck, catalog his books – something that would take something off his plate, even if it is only for this month. And if you don’t already, serve somewhere in the church. Having adequate volunteers is always a blessing.

A Final Thought

Pastor Appreciation Month 2025 isn’t about adding one more thing to your church calendar – it’s about lightening the load for someone who carries a lot. You don’t have to organize a banquet or buy a gift basket. Just let your pastor know they are seen, valued, and prayed for.

Because when we honor those who serve faithfully, we reflect the heart of the One who said, Well done, good and faithful servant. And that is worth celebrating – not just in October, but all year long.

The post How to Celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month without Overwhelming Your Pastor appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

As the truth of this tragedy began to sink in, I was flooded with three specific emotions: An overwhelming sadness, a rising anger, and a sense of helplessness. It didn’t take long before realizing I needed to keep my anger in check. The Lord reminded me of James 1:20: “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires”. But I knew in my heart, that God was angry too! King David penned Psalm 11 and in verse 5 he writes, “The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence.” I began to ask the Lord, what can I do instead of just watching this tragedy and resigning myself to another victory for the enemy?

In the middle of the night I got the answer. I awoke with four specific actions I could take. I am still overwhelmed with grief but these action steps have begun to help me and perhaps they might help you as well.

1. Pray for Charlie’s family! Despite the unspeakable violence that took him, Charlie no longer needs our prayers. Doctors reported that because of the location where he was hit, it is likely his spirit left his broken body within a couple of minutes. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Christians at Corinth in Second Corinthians 5:8 with this truth, “Yes, we are fully confident and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be home with the Lord.” Long before we got confirmation that Charlie Kirk had died, his spirit was more alive than ever in the presence of the Savior he loved and proclaimed. So, it’s not Charlie who needs our prayers but rather his precious young family. His wife and his young son and daughter who now have only pictures and memories of their husband and father. They can no longer enjoy his presence with them. God cares about these things and so should I. Psalm 68:5 says, “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows, this is God, whose dwelling is holy.” Then James reminds us in Chapter 1 verse 27 that pure and genuine religion includes caring for orphans and widows.

I’m praying first of all for a peace that passes all understanding that can only come from Jesus Christ. Secondly, I’m praying that the Church shows up for this family to meet their needs and, where appropriate, fill the huge holes left by Charlie’s absence. Thirdly, I’m praying for protection for his young family. Also, for a divine shield to surround them and keep them not only from physical harm, but from those who are continually spewing hatred toward everything they believe in. I’m praying for his extended family as well, and for all of his colleagues. I want God to keep reminding me to pray for this family, not just until the Memorial Service ends, but even after this story fades from the news cycle. Their pain will last a very long time!

2. The second thing the Lord is prompting me to do is to pray for law enforcement, from the campus police to the FBI. I’m praying for a quick end to this manhunt. That the evil person or persons involved in assassinating Charlie Kirk will be found and brought to justice. King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 8:11, “When crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.” For too long, authorities have turned a blind eye to political violence. According to God’s Word, that is the best way to keep it going!

3. The third thing I believe the Lord is prompting me is to learn some lessons from Charlie Kirk’s life. While his death has been described as a political assassination, many commentators have been saying what stood out most about Charlie was his bold faith in Jesus. The millions of young people who looked up to him also understood this. He never passed up an opportunity to share the Gospel with his audience. He freely admitted that he was a sinner and that Jesus Christ came to earth to die for his sin, then rose from the dead to secure, for him, eternal life in Heaven. That Gospel was the foundation to all the other truths he advocated for. He believed very strongly in freedom. In John 8:36 it says, “If the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” When my life here comes to an end, I hope my wife says I was a faithful husband, my children say I was a great dad and my grandchildren say I was a fun grandpa. But most of all I want people to know I loved Jesus and that some people, including my family came to know Jesus because of my life. I want to emulate Charlie’s boldness to do what God calls me to do in my small sphere of influence.

4. Finally, I’m convinced that this world needs to change, and I’m praying for revival! Admittedly in my angry moments, I want people to pay for what they’ve done. I want all the godless folks who commit or advocate for political violence to immediately be judged and removed. But that’s not going to happen, because our Lord is more merciful than I. Second Peter 3:9 reminds us, “The Lord is patient, He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

So, revival is the solution for our messed-up world! I attended college at Liberty in the early 1980’s. Back then, the Moral Majority was in full swing and our Chancellor, Dr. Jerry Falwell Sr. always told us students that our nation’s future would either be one of revival or judgement! Today it is much worse than it was in the early 80’s and I am repulsed by the hateful rhetoric and murderous actions of people who don’t know Jesus. Only He can fix the problem at its source. We read in Jeremiah 17:9, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” God is the only one who can fix the heart! The more people who hear the Gospel and receive the salvation Jesus offers, the sooner good can begin to overcome evil.

It’ll be a long time before I get over the tragedy of September 10th 2025 but God has given me a positive and I believe a Biblical way to respond and as I obey, I pray that He will do what only He can do to comfort the grieving and make things right. Rest with Jesus Charlie Kirk!

Tracy Figley

President Strong Tower Christian Media

The post Responding to Tragedy appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Depression is on the rise.  In the article, “U.S. Depression Rates Reach New Heights,” published in Wellbeing, (May 17, 2023), Dan Witters reports, “The percentage of U.S. adults who report having been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime has reached 29%, nearly 10 percentage points higher than in 2015.  Over one-third of women (36.7%) now report having been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime, compared with 20.4% of men, and their rate has risen at nearly twice the rate of men since 2017.”

These statistics are mentioned to let everyone know that depression is a real issue in our world today.  Depression in the 10 years leading up to the pandemic…increased by about 40% among young people according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Depression can be diagnosed on a scale from mild to severe. This blog is not to downplay the importance of securing a support system or scheduling an appointment with a Christian doctor or mental health provider.  This blog is to encourage individuals to fill our minds with the positive Word of God to align our spirit, soul, and body to God’s ultimate plan (Jeremiah 29:11).  The enemy attacks us in our mind with thoughts of worry, fear, and anxiety.  The enemy is out to destroy us and separate us from the LOVE of GOD!

Depression is found in and out of the “Church” contrary to what many people may believe. There are myths and misconceptions that may keep Christians from seeking professional help or admitting to a trusted friend or pastor they are experiencing depression. Christians have often taken the stoic (free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief) stance and suppress that they are experiencing some form of depression out of fear they will be labeled with one of the following myths.

• Myth 1: Depression is caused by a lack of willpower.
• Myth 2: Depression is caused by unconfessed sin.  Suffering is punishment from God.
• Myth 3: Depression is self-pity.  If you’re depressed, you’re just feeling sorry for yourself.
• Myth 4: Depression is caused solely by a chemical imbalance.
• Myth 5: Depression is due to lack of faith.

I have my own personal thoughts on the above myths.  My thoughts are based upon my own journey through depression as a Christian, as well as my professional background in counseling and education. I want to remind you, if you are experiencing depression my number one suggestion is to secure a support system (pastor or trusted confidant) or schedule an appointment with a Christian doctor or mental health provider who can assist you.  It may take both the spiritual side (prayer and scripture) and the physical (counseling and medication) to advance you out of the depression depending on the severity and longevity you are experiencing.

An Argument Against the Myths of Depression

I disagree that depression is due to a lack of willpower.  As stated earlier, Satan is always attempting to influence our thinking.  A person who might look at this myth gets trapped in a never-ending loop of self defeating efforts to try and do better.  This trying to do better often feeds into increased depression because the person is unable to achieve relief.

I do agree that depression can, but not always be due to unconfessed sin.  I definitely do not believe that depression is placed upon a person as punishment from God.  The same never-ending cycle of someone looking for that next sin they need to confess can feed into increased depression, just like the myth of lack of willpower.  As we become more and more like Christ in putting on the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control; we have more of God’s power to overcome the enemy and his attack on our minds.  As we can take the focus off the negative and place it on the positive, God is faithful to complete the work within us that He began (Philippians 1:6).

Myth number 3 falls into the same category as myths 1 and 2.  I don’t agree that depression is caused by self-pity.  However, depending on a person’s make-up, they may begin to feed self-pity that compounds and deepens the depression.

Myth numbers 4 and 5 are probably the most controversial within the Body of Christ due to their complexity.  I do believe that over a period of time a person’s chemical brain make-up can change due to depression.  Are some people more susceptible to depression than others because of their chemical make-up?  Chemical brain make-up can change due to trauma.  Trauma often proceeds depression because a person has a difficult time coping with the changes caused by that trauma. The issue is, if you are experiencing depression, there may be medication that can help you realign the chemical balance in your brain. Additionally, diet and exercise have been found to have longer lasting results and creates less dependence on a substance for the healthy recovery of your brain’s chemical make-up.

Myth number 5 may be used unwittingly as a weapon by those not or never having experienced depression. There is a fine line between faith and trusting that God will make all things right, and condemning oneself that they are depressed because they themselves lack the amount of faith necessary to recover. People then compare themselves to others they have seen and individuals in the Bible that experienced miraculous recovery, and then see themselves as “the one God did not heal.”

This article is speaking in general.  Each person’s experience is different.  If you are the person experiencing depression, reach out to a trusted friend first, and tell them about this article and how you are struggling.  If they are the true friend, they will not condemn you or state any of the above myths.  They can pray with you and give helpful encouragement and possible next steps.

The next section of this article is focused on the title, “The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength.”  If you’ve read this far, you may have experienced a sense of hopelessness.  I want to provide some of the scriptures that I have found helpful for me. 

I’d like to start with a hymn from my childhood called, “Reach Out to Jesus.”  Music choices can often lift the depressive spirit or thoughts we may be having in our head.

Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone? 

Does the road you travel harbor danger yet unknown? 

Are you growing weary in the struggle of it all? 

Jesus will help you when on His name you call.

He is always there, hearing every prayer, faithful and true. 

Walking by our side, in His love we hide, all the day thru. 

When you get discouraged, just remember what to do,

reach out to Jesus, He’s reaching out to you.

Is this life you’re living filled with sorrow and despair? 

Does the future press you with its worry and its care? 

Are you tired and friendless, have you almost lost your way? 

Jesus will help you.  Just call on Him today.

Often, depression is seeing life with no options or hope.  “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12).  The Bible is full of verses that provide hope if we choose to take them into our lives just as regularly as we might take in the prescribed medicine or exercises provided by a doctor or mental health professional.  Here are just a few of the many hope-filled, joy-filled scriptures within the Bible. 

“‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”

Lamentations 3:24

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:5

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Romans 15:14

“…Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10b

“Remember the word you gave me.  Through it you gave me hope.  This is my comfort in my misery.  Your promise gave me a new life.”

Psalm 119:49-50

The hope we need to face each day is not of our own making.  Our strength, our hope, and our courage is us being in Jesus and Jesus being in us.  We can find this oneness in Christ when we read about “The Vine and the Branches” in John 15:1-17, as well as reading Psalm 91 with the vivid picture of us dwelling in the presence of God.

The joy of the Lord is our strength in whatever circumstance we may be.  Therefore, let us be of good courage through the strength of Christ as we face each and every day.

The post The Joy Of The Lord Is Our Strength: Depression and the Christian appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

I’m more of a task-oriented person, so if you give me a job and a deadline, I will usually push to get it done, but I found that after a while, I was reading the words of Scripture as just words to get through. Now, I still think it is a good idea to read the Bible all the way through. God left us one book that tells us about Him and that He wants us to read, and I think I’d feel kind of stupid standing in front of Him some day with Him knowing I never even read it.

But this year I tried something different – I have been reading an archaeological study Bible. If you are imagining boring measurements from a dig site, it is not like that, but there are hundreds of photographs of artifacts and places. You will get an idea of what some ancient tools, seals, and pots looked like and learn how they demonstrate that the stories of the Bible actually took place. Pictures of ancient buildings and fields and mountains near where events occurred bring context to your reading.

Who, Where, Why, and When

But the archaeological Bible does more than explain the archaeology. It helps out with geography, history, and culture too. Maps illustrate the relation of one event to another, often answering the question why something took place where it did. The notes will give you a more complete look at history. It tells you what else was going on in the world at the same time Bible events were happening. And the many footnotes and side articles give insights to the people both of the Bible and their neighbors. Their culture is not ours, and the articles point out what was going on at the time God was speaking to them.

Ancient writers are quoted. These quotes have been found on monuments, carvings, and scrolls – poets writing about kings or regular people discussing regular people. One insert I recently read was text on a tablet from a Sumerian scribal school in which an older student mockingly criticized the work of a younger student – makes even the really ancient people sound just like us!

Slow Down

If you chose to make a more academic study of things, you could. There are notes, concordances, and charts. I don’t; I just use it for my personal reading. The most valuable part of all is that it slows you down. You won’t feel the same pull to rush through to get so many chapters read, but your understanding will grow.

Some examples of archaeological Bibles and similar cultural background Bibles you might want to check out are:

1. Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (NIV and NKJV) (sampler)
2. ESV Archaeology Study Bible from Crossway (sampler)
3. Archaeological Study Bible (NIV and KJV) This is the one I use, but unfortunately, it is now out of print. There is a digital version, and there are still copies available on places like eBay. (a helpful personal review found on youtube)

The post How To Read The Bible… Slower appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

My background is in Business and Industrial Counseling and Project Leadership.  Developing and maintaining a balanced lifestyle personally and corporately is vital to avoid burnout.  I have taught time management and find that it is not a one and done activity.  You need to review your plan once or twice a year.  You also need to take into consideration any changes that have come into your life like: illness, children/grandchildren, job change, or any other activities (self chosen or mandated by others) that may have become part of your routine.

I will run you through an abbreviated “Time Management” session within this blog.  This could be a 1 to 2 day workshop.  You can take the general concepts and spend additional time on your personal specifics to establish a healthy lifestyle that includes your family, your work, and others within your sphere of influence.

1. Make a list

Make a list (in a schedule format or the 24-hr segment) of all the things you do within a day.  At this point you are just calculating how much time you spend completing each activity (not at what time you complete them).  Realize that some days are different from others and you may need to create two or three versions (ex. M, W, F are the same, however, Tuesday and Thursday are different).  You can then decide if you want to make a list that includes Saturday and Sunday.

Often I use a 24-hr segmented circle and fill in the segments like this.

My non committed time is used for me to write my blogs, Bible study, cook, pay bills, stay in touch with family and friends, read news feeds, and watch movies with my husband.  During the school year, my non committed time is used creating lesson plans and grading papers.  I will be filling my non committed time soon with academic activities to maintain my teaching certification.  8-hours of non committed time is enough to hold a second job.  However, everyone at different times in their lives will find their non committed time will vary due to the stage of life and responsibilities they possess.

2. Take Away From Your List

Look at your list and decide if there is something you don’t like.  Do you spend too much time driving to and from “somewhere?”  Do you not get enough sleep?  Is there no time for your “favorite” hobby or activity?  Jot these observations down so you can come back to them later.

3. Add To Your List

Now decide if there is anything that you would like to add to your schedule.  Time to go back to school?  Time to spend with family?  Time to garden or paint?  Jot these observations down so you can come back to them later.

4. Delegate or Eliminate Needless Tasks

From your original list, determine if there is anything that is not your responsibility and you can delegate or stop.  This may take some time in thinking.  It also may be where you could spend a little extra money to have someone do for you, what you really don’t have time to do for yourself.  There are more and more services that deliver groceries and online ordered items right to your door.

My sister and I have an elderly mother that needs a caregiver.  At first we thought she needed a 24-7 caregiver after returning home from an Assisted Living facility.  However, after several months, we found she really only needed someone two times a week for a couple of hours each day.  My sister most often can order the groceries online and pick them up at the door or have them delivered to Mom.  The pharmacy delivers Mom’s meds and other supplies as needed.  My sister works full time, I don’t live in the area, and there is no way my sister can meet all of Mom’s needs and stay mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy.  It cost, but it is well worth it. With children or co-workers you may be able to create a carpool or a coop that shares responsibilities. Consider creative ways to streamline or reduce the burden of your responsibilities.

5. Group Tasks Together

From the original list, determine if there are activities that can be grouped together in a bundle so as not to be “running with your head cut off?”  Do you need to make a weekly or monthly grocery list that consolidates your shopping?

Here are some of my suggestions that I have worked on over the years.

• If I need to make phone calls, I lump them into morning and afternoon calls.  I allow 15-30 minutes total for each set of calls.  These can be either personal or business.  If I’m in the middle of another activity and I see it isn’t an urgent call, I don’t answer the phone and call back later.  I can then schedule longer family calls with kids, grandkids, and other family members during the week as I have time allotted.

• Paying the bills has always made my head hurt (even typing this sentence it started).  I’m very thankful through God’s grace paying bills really isn’t as stressful as it was in the early days of adulthood.  However, the anxiety still rises up.  Therefore, I’ve lumped my bills into batches (very similar to the phone calls).  I sit down and pay any bills that are to be paid between the 1st – 5th.  I have no more bills due until the 15th.  I don’t even worry about them and only pull them out on that day and pay them.  Then I pay any remaining bills from the 20th – 30th on the 20th of each month.  I’ve created my own file system so that the amounts, the phone numbers, and online accesses are easily available and it has reduced the time I have had to spend on a very uncomfortable, but necessary activity in my life.

6. Fill Your Time Intentionally

After you have deleted, delegated, or batched activities from your original list, determine how much extra time you have now created.  Even if it is only 30 minutes you have gained, you now need to decide what activity can fill that time.  You also will want to keep an eye on your daily activities because you may be able to find other time that may be wasted without you realizing how it is robbing you of “productive” time.  How much time do you spend on social media?  How much time do you spend vegging out watching T.V.?  You may be able to convert some of these times to more “productive” activities you have listed that you would like to add to your life.

As you continue to review your activities in an ongoing fashion, you will find that it becomes easier to make decisions to add, delete, or delegate from your scheduled activities and create balance for you and your family.

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You know our children often ask us, “Are we there yet?”  They ask us how high is the sky or ask us how deep is the ocean?  Those questions actually do have answers even though they may be much larger than a small child could comprehend.  We as adults usually know that an answer is available for our children’s questions, but know explaining the answer to the young inquiring minds will be difficult for them to understand because of their lack of experience and knowledge.

However, when we ask the question “How big is God?”, we really can’t conceive that answer for ourselves.  We have to realize that compared to God, we are the young inquiring minds that lack experience and knowledge.  When we read the Bible it says that God is the Alpha, the Omega, the Beginning, and the End.  How do you measure anything that has no beginning or end?

One of my previous pastors, focused our congregation on praying and realizing we have so often view God as having limits, therefore putting Him in a box. The congregational focus was to meet in small groups and pray that God would reveal Himself outside of the box.  We were to look around us in nature and our every experience to notice where God was.  We learned that so often we miss the greatness of God because we might not be looking.  Our expectation is that God is far away and doesn’t take interest in our daily lives.

I’ve been reflecting again on how big IS God?  I was reminded of a song, “How Big is God?” that encouraged me when I was a child.  It was written by Stuart Hamblen.  (A side note: look Stuart Hamblen up and read his biography, it is a very encouraging life story).  The song lyrics push us to focus on God’s perspective of His greatness.  When we remember that His GREAT LOVE sent Jesus to rescue us as His children and to restore the family relationship He intended from the beginning of creation, we continue to fathom, “How Big is God?”

Song Lyrics:

Though men may strive to go beyond the reach of space

To crawl beyond the distant shining stars

This world’s a room so small within my Master’s house

The open sky’s but a portion of his yard.

Chorus:

How big is God? How big and wide is His vast domain?

To try to tell these lips can only start

He’s big enough to rule His mighty universe

Yet small enough to live within my heart.

As winter chill may cause the tiny seed to fall

To lie asleep till waked by summer’s rain

The heart grown cold will warm and trod with life anew

The Master’s touch will bring the glow again.

Science and the Size of God

Now let me blow your mind of how big God IS!  In my contemplation of this question I became aware of a statistic.  With this statistic I truly feel like the little child that lacks the experience and knowledge to grasp the greatness of God’s greatness.  Remember, I am a science geek.

The electromagnetic spectrum is 0.005 of what exists in the universe.  That includes: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays.  0.005 is five-hundred thousandths…that is a SMALL amount of what exists in the universe.  The light that we can see is visible light and is considered a “smear” within that spectrum.  So, if we are judging God’s bigness on what we can see, we are only seeing a smear, not even a fraction of how big God IS!

I started to think about the scriptures like:

He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him.

Psalm 18:11

He shrouded himself in darkness, in thick rain clouds.

2 Samuel 22:12

There is MORE of what we can’t see, even beyond the electromagnetic spectrum.  Have we unwittingly put God in the box of only what we know or can see?  How big is God?  God is bigger than the universe and bigger than our minds’ can conceive.

I challenge you and me to trust God like our children trust us when we can’t give them the specific answer they are wanting.  We may be asking the wrong question.  The real question may be, “How can I experience you God, in my everyday life in both the big and the small issues?”  This is what my former pastor was challenging us to do.

A minister I listen to exhorts us to know that “God is ABSOLUTELY Good!”  Knowing that God is absolutely good can allow our hearts and minds to be settled that no matter what we see around us, only good comes from God.  Let’s cling to James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  Also Matthew 7:11, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who seek him.”

Let’s stop asking as the children do, “Are we there yet?” and just enjoy the ride with God as our Heavenly Father and seek to know him and experience the adventure He has laid out before us.  Remember He said in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD.  They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.”

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What Is Lent?

is meant to commemorate the forty days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness, so some Lenten traditions do include self-sacrifice and special acts of charity during this time. Most involve confession and repentance. But for all religious traditions, Lent is a time to prepare for Easter, a time to actively prepare ourselves through Scripture, prayer, and repentance. We know there is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor and His love, but I think the very idea that we can do nothing, that it was all the work of God, sometimes causes us to take it all for granted.

Because we were, through God’s grace, crucified and buried with Christ – with no pain and suffering on our part – it seems easy. And it is:

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.

Acts 16:31

But if we don’t remember what that gift cost, we can also forget its value. We perhaps forget what sinners we were, how desperate our need was, and how great a sacrifice Jesus made for us, not just in His death, but in His very life here on earth.

But the other part of the story, the reason why Lent has an end, is because we were not only crucified and buried with Jesus, forgiven and made righteous, but we were also resurrected with Him into eternal life.

I Can

Attending this new church forced me to think about Lent. Whatever it was in my mind before or maybe what it is for others, it did not have to be for me. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the most important events in the history of the world. Believers, hopefully, are always mindful of this, but it is not wrong to spend a little extra time focusing on Jesus, the cross, His love and sacrifice for us that allows us to experience the amazing unearned and unending joy of Easter morning.

By the time you read this, Lent this year will have already begun, but the number of days doesn’t matter. Use whatever time you can to reflect on what a selfless gift Jesus gave us. The reflection, meditation, and prayer of the days of Lent can lead us to appreciate and value even more Christ’s sacrificial death for us.

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“Most mornings I recite the Lord’s Prayer. I’m not worth much for the new day until I’ve grounded myself in those words.” Our Daily Bread 

If we think about it just for a minute, of all the ways Jesus could have taught His disciples to begin their prayers, He chose those very words: “Our Father” (that’s Matthew 6.9) as a starting point. That’s where we go every day. Was that random? No! Jesus was never less than intentional with every single word. We all have different relationships with our earthly fathers. Some good, some far less than that. However, praying in that way, we should not be addressing my father or your father, but our Father. The One who sees us, the One who hears us, and who knows what we need before we even ask Him. What an amazing reassurance, especially on those days when we might feel forgotten, alone, abandoned, or just simply not worth much. Remember, regardless of where we are, and what time of the day or night it may be, our Father in Heaven is always near. 

I shared this story before, that when my mother passed on to glory I was so distraught. I came home in this place of going, “Lord, I know You’re there, and I know You’re good, and I’ve served You for such a long time, but I don’t know what to do with all this.” I heard Him clearly say, “Do you trust me?” At that point, I had to start saying, “Father, thy will be done. Lord, Father, whatever Your will is.” So, we learn every moment we’ve been given another day to acknowledge Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and to pause and begin by saying, “Our Father…” It makes such a difference in our lives. And to remember today that the Creator of the universe knows you, loves you, and has a plan for you. You are individually loved by Him, all the way from here to eternity when You are His. 

Prayer

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6.5-15 NIV

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Psalm 1.1-3 NIV

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.”

Help us to remember that You are our provider. You take care of Your children and we have no need to worry. When we start to feel anxious or try to take things into our own hands, we can turn back to You and put our trust in You. We can put our troubles in Your hands and rest. 

Matthew 6.25-27 NIV

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Remind us of your love and care every day, even as the world around us feels increasingly inhospitable and cold. Show us how to love others as ourselves and be the hands and feet of Jesus to a world who desperately needs it. 

St. Teresa of Ávila

“Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which to look out Christ’s compassion to the world. Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good; Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.”

Lord, please draw close and help us to draw close to You. Renew us, and make this a spring season in our lives. Revive the cold and dead parts of our faith and open our eyes to all You are doing in the Earth. Show us the parts You have given us to play and the works You have given us to do. May You be given all the glory and all the honor and all the praise. Amen. 

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“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Philippians 4.8 NLT

Don’t Believe the Lies 

“It’s no secret that many of us are weighed down right now by chronic fears or worries- negative thoughts that can run away with you at night and you spiral. Anxious and toxic thinking. We even believe the lies of our enemy, Lucifer. ‘You’re not good enough. You’ll never change. You’ll never measure up.’ Flat out falsehoods that the devil designed to hold you hostage and keep you from the freedom and power that’s your birthright as a son or daughter of God. What we’ve discovered is that most of life’s battles are won or lost in your mind. Your mind is a battlefield. As a Christian, you have a choice: you can believe Satan’s lies to you, or you can believe God’s truth about you.” ~Tim Lucas

Talk Back

“The enemy always has some sort of tool or memory or situation he uses to terrify you, even though the good times are there. The dream is there, the blessing is there, and the goodness is there. There’s always this haunting, nagging defiance that says, ‘don’t you relax. You’re not worth it. You don’t deserve it and it’s not going to last. Everything else went away…maybe this will go away too.’ We talk about faith for bad times, but you also need faith in good times to actually believe the goodness of God is not going anywhere. To silence the voices that keep saying you’ll never make it- you’re about to lose everything. Fear gets in your heart. You can change your outcome, but you have to stop talking to yourself the way you do. If you continue to talk to yourself the way you do, you’ll always be where you’ve always been. It is what you say within yourself that heals you. You see, those voices that say what you can’t do, what you can’t have, what you can’t be, what’s not going to last, what’s not going to work, is how the enemy pulverizes the promises of God in your life. Talk back to those voices- shut the enemy down. The pressure I was going though was coming from the things I allowed to reverberate through my head. I was wondering if there are things echoing in your head right now that are stopping you from living your best life because you will not silence them by speaking back.” ~T.D. Jakes

You Are in Control of Your Thoughts

“Many times the problems we think we have with our lives are actually problems with our thoughts. Proverbs 4.23 says you’ve got to carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life. You are the narrator of your life. So we have to fix our thoughts. Jesus wants to change your pattern of thinking and give you a new pattern. That’s why Romans 12.2 says, ‘do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind then you will learn to know God’s will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect.’ So it’s about the pattern: if you think negative thoughts, you’ll become a negative person. You will likely find whatever you fix your focus on. If you decide to look for what’s good in life, you’ll find the good. If you decide to always look for the bad in any given situation, you’ll find the bad. If you don’t decide in advance to fill your brain with Godly, positive thoughts, your human nature will be more than happy to revert to its default setting, which is looking for what’s negative. 2 Corinthians 10.5 says, ‘We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’ Listen, your thoughts are not in control of you. You are in control of your thoughts.” ~Ryan Visconti

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The Bible Recap

There are a lot of things to love about this reading plan, including the fact that there is a corresponding podcast that does an overview of the reading, dives a little deeper, and has a section called the “God Shot” which points out a characteristic of God we learn from the daily reading. One of the things I’m loving the most about The Bible Recap is that it is a chronological reading plan- meaning you read the Bible in the order the events happened. It’s fascinating to see how the events play out and to get a more clear idea of why things happened the way they did. The plan’s focus is to help you see the character of God and fall more in love with Him and His Word.

Benefits of reading the whole Bible

Reading the entire Bible has many benefits. It can help us gain a better understanding of God’s plan and give us insight into the context of some of our most referenced Scriptures. You will learn to hear from God firsthand, instead of relying solely on your pastor or devotional books that only tell you what someone else sees in the Word. Knowing what the Bible says (and doesn’t say) will help you clarify what you believe and why. The way Tara-Leigh describes her experience is so beautiful and moving.

“The next year, I decided, ‘ok! I’m going to read it again, and I’m going to look for who God is…’ because that was the primary thing that was bothering me. So I asked God to give me a lens for that. I said, ‘God, this is the book You’ve given us to reveal Yourself to us, so help me to see who You are in what I read today.’ On that second trip through the Word when I was looking for Him, I found Him and I fell in love with Him. I began to see not just what He was doing, but why He was doing it…what His heart was behind it. He answered that prayer to teach me about Himself in a way that made me feel like I was learning a whole different God than I learned about in church.”

~Tara-Leigh Cobble

No matter whether you decide to follow a specific plan or not, I hope you’re encouraged to read through the entire Word this year. Focus on who you see God to be in those pages and verses and ask Him to reveal Himself to you. I pray your relationship with Him grows closer than ever before and you find yourself more in love with Him through this journey. 

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Set realistic goals that you can actually accomplish

Setting realistic goals is an important tool for success. It can be tempting to start aiming for grand objectives right away, but the best way to achieve your goals is to start small and work your way up. Focusing on attainable tasks will allow you to build momentum and increase motivation. Clearly define your goal, as well as what needs to be done in order for them to be achieved. This strategy makes any goal seem more realistic and easier to manage. 

How to make more time for Bible reading and praying

You probably already know that reading your Bible and praying are a crucial part of deepening your relationship with the Lord, but have you found yourself forgetting or running out of time at the end of the day for these important rituals? One of the best ways to make time for Bible reading and prayer is to simply block off time on your calendar for it. Take an honest look at your existing schedule and make a commitment to fit these two activities in. Once you make that decision, it’s important to be willing to sacrifice other activities – sometimes that means cutting back on TV or waking up a little earlier- but it can make a huge difference in your ability to spend meaningful amounts of time diving deeper into the Word and speaking with God. 

The lasting impact of strengthening your relationship with Jesus

Building a relationship with Jesus is incredibly transformative. Understanding His teachings and letting the living Word transform your heart and thoughts will have an impact on every part of your life. If you’ve lost the joy of your faith, or are struggling with fear or bondage of some kind, drawing close to Jesus. Find a small group or Bible study to join to have brothers and sisters in Christ to walk this road with. There’s no better goal or resolution than to grow closer to God!

Stick to your plan and don’t give up

Sticking to your plan requires focus, resilience, and most of all God’s help. Throughout this process, it’s important to not give up when challenges come up- and they will. Maybe people in your life will be offended or annoyed by your renewed devotion, or maybe you’ll find the draw of distractions stronger than before. Whatever happens, rather than abandoning the plan altogether, take the time to reassess why something might not be working. Use this as an opportunity to rethink the approach that you are taking. Set yourself up for spiritual success by making changes in your schedule when you have to and be tenacious with your quiet time!

Celebrate your accomplishments at the end of the year

As the end of the year approaches, it is important to reflect on your accomplishments and celebrate your wins. Whether big or small, taking time to acknowledge the progress you made throughout the year can be incredibly empowering and motivating for new goals. One way to do this is writing a letter to yourself listing the ways you’ve grown or what you’ve learned. Celebrating individual triumphs reminds us that our growth is valuable and worthwhile.

Here’s to a Happy New Year, and walking closer with God than ever before! 

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Making Memories with Loved Ones

One of the best things about Christmas is getting to spend quality time with loved ones. From singing carols around the fire to making snow angels in the backyard, there are plenty of fun activities that can create lasting memories for years to come. If you need some inspiration on ways to make special memories this holiday season, try baking cookies together, doing an Advent calendar based on shared interests, or taking a stroll through your local light display. Even something as simple as sharing your favorite childhood stories over hot chocolate can go a long way in creating meaningful experiences with those you love most.

Family Traditions That Last a Lifetime

We all have our own unique family traditions that make Christmas so special every year. Consider adding a few small activities to strengthen your bonds with each other. Whether it’s an annual trip to Grandma’s house, reading the Christmas story together, or decorating gingerbread houses after dinner on Christmas Eve, it’s important to keep these traditions alive and make sure they stay relevant for future generations. Family traditions are powerful reminders of shared experiences and help us stay connected no matter how far apart we may be. What traditions do you have with your family?          

The Gift God Gave Us

The true meaning of Christmas is celebrating God’s greatest gift—His son Jesus Christ—and remembering why He came into this world thousands of years ago. Jesus’ birth offers us eternal hope and reminds us that no matter what life throws our way, we are never alone. This year when you’re wrapping gifts or driving around town looking at twinkling lights on houses, remember this timeless truth: God gave us His Son so that we could be reconciled to Him and experience true freedom in our lives. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3.16-17

This holiday season, let’s take some extra time away from shopping lists and crowded stores to focus on what really matters—spending quality time with loved ones while remembering why we celebrate Christmas in the first place; God’s greatest gift – His only Son, Jesus Christ! No gifts under the tree can compare to His unconditional love and grace which He has given us freely, so let’s cherish these memories and share them with one another now and always! 

Merry Christmas!

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“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” 

Psalm 34.18

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Isaiah 43.1-2

Jesus, please draw close to anyone suffering through pregnancy or child loss. Wrap them in your arms and comfort their hearts in this time of pain and stress. As they grieve, help them not to fall into depression or despair, but to trust Your ability and desire to heal. Ease their anxiety and help them to hand it over to You. Strengthen their marriages. Help them not to blame themselves or each other and to become stronger in their relationships. Bless their finances, their homes, and their jobs. 

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 23.4

Lord, please help the husbands to have support in place, as well as the wives. Remind the people around them that even though sometimes men don’t express their emotions the same way women do, they have sustained a loss and may be hurting, confused, and feeling guilty too. Rally a tribe around them to care for and encourage them. Be close to the other children of the family and protect their hearts and minds from confusion and ideas that they aren’t enough. Be their shelter, O God. 

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.”

Psalm 145.18-19

Please give their doctors and medical professionals knowledge to find underlying problems and the wisdom to correct them. Grant health and wholeness to their bodies. If they become pregnant again, please put your protection around the fetus and give them complete health. 

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41.10

For those trying to adopt, open the right doors and close the wrong ones and help these precious families to see that You are working for their good. Give them supernatural peace and trust. When they get their child, help the adjustment process to be smooth. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8.28

Please feel free to use the comment section to add to this prayer or to lift up people you know who are struggling. Thank you for praying

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This is the thing, family. When we don’t have it together is when we trust God the most. That’s why He allows us to have weakness. When you have those moments when you feel like, “I don’t have it together” that’s ok! I want to tell you that it’s ok. I know I’ve had times when I feel like I’ve shared with people and they feel like it’s not ok to not be ok, but those are not your people. I know it’s frustrating with people who are never ok…we don’t want to be that! But to have moments of leaning? That’s when we need Jesus the most. Know today, it’s ok not to have it all together. 

To help you remember, here are some scriptures and quotes for you to meditate on this week. 

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12.9-10

“Be patient with yourself. Nothing in nature blooms all year.”

~Unknown

LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

Isaiah 33.2

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73.26

“It’s okay to not be okay. Just keep moving forward. It’s a bad day, not a bad life.”

~Thobi D. Brown

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16.33

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121.1-2

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41.10

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Graced For Your Race

Taylor: “I don’t think I’ve mastered the art of learning how to balance everything perfectly in my life. There’s a lot of days where I call [Robert] crying, just because sometimes it’s so overwhelming between him traveling and 2 babies under 2 and one on the way- just life in general. I find myself beating myself up a lot. I feel like if I’m satisfying Robert’s needs, then my babies are lacking. If my babies and my husband are doing great, if they’re not lacking for anything, my spiritual life is lacking. So, I’m constantly beating myself up because an area is lacking in my life. I usually just have to take a step back, and [Robert] helps me with this, and just reminds me that I’m human- I’m one person and I need grace, but ultimately one thing the Holy Spirit always speaks to me is, ‘Taylor, you’re graced for this.’

So many people say, ‘Taylor, I don’t know how you do what you do.’ And then I look at their life and I say, ‘I don’t know how you do what you do!’ But ultimately, it’s because I’m not graced to be who they are. I’m graced to be Taylor Madu, Robert Madu’s wife, and so with that being said, that’s what I keep in the forefront of my mind and in our home, that before the very foundation of the earth, God knew the plans He had for Robert, for me, and for our children.”

“Sometimes you have to be careful because things can become a competition, like sending Daddy out for ministry vs. family and all that, but I don’t think it has to be that way, I think we just kind of do it all together. If there’s an area that’s lacking, we take a step back, we acknowledge the area that’s lacking, and we give attention to it and then we move forward. I don’t know if you’ll ever learn to balance it all perfectly…but I think it’s important to never create that competition.”

No For Now

Robert: “We don’t even like to use that term ‘balance’ because to me, balance just gives that imagery of you have all of these precious vessels that are important to you on a tightrope and you’re trying to hold it all together and if you’re not careful, you’ll start to put all these things against each other. Like, oh no, this is ministry time and this is family time. We just try to be good stewards of everything God has put under our jurisdiction. That takes reflection, that takes stepping back, that takes saying, ‘No for now, maybe later. That’s not for this season.’ For instance, I just got back from New Zealand. I was preaching there and I was gone for 11 days and preached 14 times. That was 1 of 2 international trips I took this year, but after getting back I saw [Taylor’s] face and she was like, ‘that was your last international trip. Put your passport away. You are staying in these United States of America.’ So I was like, ‘Ok.’ We just made the decision that for right now, I am not doing international trips because for this season with our kids, I cannot be gone for 10 days. I can do a trip here and there, but that’s just for this season. 

There are different guardrails we put in. One of the things we do is at Easter, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and holidays, those are days that I don’t care who you are calling me to come preach, I’m not going. We’re going to go to church as a family. That’s just some different guardrails that we’ve put in.”

Taylor: “I think so many times in ministry, because I grew up in a pastor’s home, so many times it’s like ‘God has to be first’  but God is in us and with us. It’s not like He’s separate from that, so I feel like sometimes people feel the pressure that they have to put their ministry above their family and I think if you’re out ministering to the world and He’s changing lives, yet the home life is suffering, something’s wrong.”

The Danger of Comparison

Robert: “Comparison is the thief of joy. This is one of the messages God has given me the mandate to tell the body of Christ because social media has changed the landscape of life. It’s amazing how you can be so content with where you are and so happy, but then all of a sudden awareness drives discontentment. Can you imagine how happy you would be with your spouse if you just didn’t know, but now you have notifications on your smart device that’s making you stupid. We will take social media breaks and just keep our eyes on who Jesus is and what He has called us to do. It’s a slippery slope when you start playing the comparison game and nothing will steal your joy more than looking at somebody else. And let’s be honest, it’s not real. We’ll laugh sometimes, we’ll post a picture and somebody will comment, ‘Awww, we just want what you guys have.’ 

Taylor: “And we’re like, ‘you don’t know us! You don’t know what we have. I’d be careful about saying that!’ It’s so easy to put anything out that you want to paint this false persona. There are so many family pictures we take that look perfect, but it took us 10 billion photos to get that picture. But that sums up social media. It’s not realistic. I encourage everyone to just be you and remember, you’re graced for your race.”

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I heard this message and I thought some of you needed to hear it, because whether you’re 2 or 102, you have a call on your life. If you’re older, I want to encourage you not to give up, and if you’re younger, take it seriously. Whatever phase we’re in in our life, our call matters. This is a tremendous message called “Walk Out Your Call Unhindered” and I thought it would challenge you this morning to be the warrior God has called you to be. 

“Take some time to study the Word. What are the promises of God upon my life? What is the inheritance of a believer? When you are rooted in the Word of God, you can’t be easily shaken. I’m reminded by something- when the Lord came out of the wilderness and went to the synagogue, the first Scripture He read was the Scripture in Isaiah: 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61.1-3 NIV

He begins to list out the things He has been anointed for. One of them is to proclaim liberty to the captive. You see, that is so fascinating to me and so profound. He is to tell the captives- those who are living life like they are bound- He is to let them know, ‘Hey, guys. You’re actually free because of who I am and what I represent.’ What is keeping you bound right now in your life? Whatever it is, you have freedom in Jesus Christ. Who the Son sets free is free indeed. If it’s an addiction, if it’s a behavior, if it’s a mindset, lay it down before Him and replace that lie with the truth of God’s Word. You have to know what is the knowledge of God and what are the arguments against the knowledge of God. In that, you will find personal freedom. I’m believing this for you and I just want to say a word of prayer and we’ll seal this. 

Heavenly Father, I thank you for everyone [reading] this. Lord God, I thank You that You know them, You see them, You know them by name. Lord, I pray that as they study Your Word, that Holy Spirit, You would make the Scriptures alive to them, that it would not just be head knowledge, but it would be sealed in their hearts who they are because of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” ~Stephanie Ike

I pray that you claim that today and have an awesome day, whatever you’re going to be doing!

Lauren Kitchens

FYI – a public affairs program with interesting people and hope-building projects around Ohio!
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I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

The Gift of Peace 

Before Jesus was betrayed and taken to the horrible crucifixion, He told his disciples what would happen in the days to come, when He would no longer be with them physically. He told them about the horrible things that may happen to them, but also the incredible gift that was coming to those who believe in Him- the Holy Spirit, who would dwell within them. He encouraged His disciples to continue trusting Him and to remain in Him. In Jesus, we can enjoy the gift of peace, knowing that whatever comes our way, we’re with Someone who has overcome the world and defeated death. This is a beautiful piece from someone being real honest about what they’ve gone through. A lot of you listen to Christian music, and Big Daddy Weave has been around for years. I love their music. This is called “Hating Yourself” and when Mike Weaver shared his words, I was like, I understand that. And I don’t know if you ever dealt with thinking I just don’t like myself, Lord. I know I need to love who I am because of who I am in You, but I need help along the way. Mike Weaver is just being honest about when he dealt with that.

If you are in a place of self-loathing, I pray that will be lifted off you in Jesus’ name. 

Hating Myself

Man, I just went through a really weird season, but an awesome season because I never really knew how to give voice to this, but I just hated myself. I never knew that was wrong, either. I knew that Jesus loved me, but I was never good enough for me. I had this standard for myself that I could never live up to, it seemed like. Nobody ever put that on me. There was this day, I remember literally the feeling of the cold concrete on my leg as I’m sitting on the floor of the garage, telling God everything that I hated about me and man, I had a list too. In the middle of me just pouring out, God shows up. And it was the voice of God in my heart, saying Michael, you need to let Me tell you what I think about you for once. So I’m sitting there, ready, on the journal of my heart, ready to write the most profound thing I’ve ever heard and God says to me, I like the way you smile. And I don’t know what it was, but as simple of a thing as that was, it was like- it just- there are these walls that I had built up in my heart and God just took this wrecking ball to all of them. He just began to fill my heart and my mind with stuff that He, the God of the universe, likes about me. He showed me that day that His love for me is not based on my ability to perform for Him. It’s completely based on what Jesus has done. It makes all the difference.

Mike Weaver

FYI – a public affairs program with interesting people and hope-building projects around Ohio!
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The post What Does God Think of You?  appeared first on 93.7 The Light.