Live your joy story!
15 May

The Surprise in All of This…

Joy
6 Comments
Relationships
What was your last surprise? I hope it was something wonderful. But we can also be surprised when someone makes a puzzling choice or life begins to look like a puzzle where none of the pieces seem to fit. It’s puzzling in my world right now. I’m not at liberty...
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01 May

My First Contact with The Racism Virus

Joy
8 Comments
In Difficult Times
At 9, I had an up-close and personal look at the racial divide. It happened during my family’s trip to a suburban Chicago shopping mall. As we exited a large department store, another child got my attention. He was with his family too. I wondered if he was just as...
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broken glass shadow wooden table
10 Apr

When Broken Is Made Better

Joy
10 Comments
In Difficult Times
As I walked into a backyard bridal shower, a lovely scene awaited the guests and the soon-to-be bride. White linens covered round tables while vases of flowers took center stage. Suddenly, a strong wind interrupted the perfectly sunny day. One of the vases fell, causing water and flower petals to...
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03 Apr

Fighting for the “Yes” in You

Joy
12 Comments
Living With Purpose
As I continue to look at 3 ways to focus on renewal, I see Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. He fiercely resisted every reason to say “No” to dying for our sins on the Cross. Luke 22:39-42 gives us the details. Jesus was in such “agony of spirit,” His...
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27 Feb

Why Being Still Leads to Being Clear

Joy
6 Comments
Living With Purpose
Anxiety chases me like a lion tracking down its next meal. As soon as something nerve-racking happens, the juices in my gut start to churn and I can almost hear anxiety growling. But as I resist it, there’s a greater churn in my soul. Be still and know I am...
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20 Feb

Running on Empty (with Ridiculous Faith)

Joy
12 Comments
In Difficult Times
There’s something powerful about praising God; especially, when it feels like we have nothing left. Delighting in Him pushes logic off the cliff of reason when we there is no patience, energy, resources or vision of a would-be victory. And yet, even if there’s no fruit from our labor, no...
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06 Feb

How Forgiveness Moves Us Forward

Joy
12 Comments
Relationships
Forgiveness feels good when it comes my way. It scratches my itch for another chance. It lets me back in when I should be left out. But when it’s time for me to forgive, forgiveness may feel awkward or even unfair. I know it’s the right thing to do. It’s...
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09 Jan

Living Life from The Inside Out

Joy
12 Comments
Living With Purpose
By January 2, I knew the holiday season was over. The outside of our home agreed and my teenage son took down our outside Christmas decorations. The inside of our home saw things differently. For a few more days, our Christmas tree stood in all of its ornament laden splendor....
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