The comparison trap The only way to thrive in life is to be yourself—to flourish where you are right under the patch of grass God has placed you on. The dangerous mistake so many of us make is that we compare ourselves with others. Brennan Manning made the observation that "we are all cracked pots". In [...]
It is possible for us to limit God's ability to what we term as 'easy' things As I journey on in my “lessons on faith” God continues to show me aspects of having faith that I have never seen before and today is yet another insight. I was thinking along the lines of our faith [...]
Do you still feel as though you deserve to be punished even after you have been forgiven by another? Do you put yourself down, saying, “I’ve made too many mistakes for God to use me!” Do you assume that others will be blessed by God, but believe that you have forfeited His blessings because of [...]
Sometimes it is hard to see God’s fingerprints in the push and pull of everyday life. It can be hard to see how God is present in the moments between opening your eyes and that first cup of coffee. You’ve barely gulped down your coffee, when a child who can’t find a textbook, or a [...]
Gratitude is a buzzword in all sorts of circles. It is spoken of in corporate circles, and on talk shows. You are encouraged to journal about gratitude and the things you are thankful for. Gratitude has become a watchword for positive organizational behaviour or positive thinking or as a significant support for depression. A few years [...]
The knock at my door was soft, apologetic. I soon discovered a bouquet of anxious faces clustered in the hallway of the hotel where I was speaking for a women’s weekend retreat. “A situation has come up,” Jill, the retreat committee chairman, explained, keeping her voice low. Uh-oh. Ten minutes later—hair combed, lipstick in place, [...]
It's your story, your life, your pain, but it could also be someone else’s strength, someone’s gift. Blue, pink, red and yellow. I wonder what colour I will get next year? These are paper bags I have collected over the years of going to the Beauty for Ashes women’s conference. My husband has had many ideas: The [...]
I don’t know about you, but change is not my favourite thing. I think we all have some resistance to change, especially if it is unforeseen change. I think it’s a vulnerability thing. We see ourselves as vulnerable when there is change in and around our lives and we feel it puts us at risk [...]
I love being with happy people! There is something so contagious about their joyful and fun filled lives. On the other hand, I avoid the company of miserable and bitter people. They are not pleasant to be around. Why? Because generally they are full of complaints, their countenance is dark and they exude an atmosphere [...]
We all battle with our thought life to some extent. Here is a very helpful Bible study compiled by Vicky Chilvers giving some keys to controlling your thought life. Imagine you are helping a psychologist, minister or emotions coach compile a book on Thought Life. What five chapters would you like to see in the [...]
