What is it like in January where you live? For most of my life, I’ve resided in locations where the first few months of the year are rather bleak. The temperatures are cold. The streets become slushy. And the sky is draped with a curtain of gray. Although typical for January weather, it makes “wintertime…
As you prepare for the coming year, there are several important things you can do between Christmas and New Year’s Day to make the months ahead the very best yet! Check out this list: RENEW Hit the reset button on your daily commitments to determine whether or not they are to be continued this next…
Christmastime with extended family can be challenging! And if you have a relative (or two, or three) that you consider more naughty than nice, it’s often hard to have a “holly jolly Christmas.” However, Christ does call us to do what sometimes seems impossible to do. In Luke 6:27 Jesus says: “Love your enemies, do good to those who…
Most of us think of the holidays as the best time of the year! However, when a family experiences the fracture of divorce in their household, this season can easily become a flurry of emotions that are not so merry or bright. 6 tips for single-parenting this Christmas season: 1. Be flexible Blended families have more complicated situations. Obviously, you’re now split between…
Whether you’re new to recovery or have been clean and sober for several years, the holidays can present a challenge to your previous addictions. Even those who feel they have the issue conquered can still experience flare-ups due to the celebratory intensity of the season. Tips for maintaining your sobriety during this season: Prepare ahead of…
During the holidays, we tend to focus a lot on thankfulness as well as providing for others. It’s become part of our seasonal tradition as we’ve grown up with families of our own. But how do we teach this valuable lesson of gratefulness and giving to our youngest kids? Through their senses Especially with preschoolers and younger…
How can I say thanks . . . for the things You have done for me? Things SO undeserved . . . yet You gave to prove Your love for me. The voices of a million angels . . . could not express my gratitude. All that I am and ever…
We’ve all heard the saying: “Have an attitude of gratitude!” But really, can gratefulness toward others cause any real beneficial impact for ourselves or those around us? Amy Morin, psychotherapist and author shares the following advantages to living a thankful lifestyle in her blog post from Psychology Today titled “7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude”: Gratitude opens the door to more…
Most people think of Valentine’s Day as a time for romance. And obviously, it is a day set aside for couples to express their love for one another. But during this season we can also show love for those we care about in non-romantic ways. After all, the Bible reminds us in John 13:34 to…
Realistic or not—many of us make a few ambitious New Year’s resolutions each year when January rolls around. We may decide to drop some weight, spend quality time with family, or get out of debt. However, by February 1st these goals are often a distant memory. Instead of moving forward with our plans, often we…