I love nice things. I’m sentimental about gifts I receive and souvenirs I’ve collected during mission trips and vacations. I like sturdy, solid wood furniture that lasts forever and takes an elephant to move. I like everything in order and …in its place. Get the picture? My dilemma began in 2015 with our first move from a 2-story 3,400 square-foot home to another 2-story 2,400 square-foot home. I cleaned out closets, gave things away, and filled the trash to overflowing numerous times. Thought I’d done a great job of letting go. However, a year later, we grew homesick and opted… 

A Practical Guide for Loving Your Neighbor in their Time of Trial Through the years, I’ve struggled with should I or should I not when it comes to my response to various levels of family, friendships, co-workers, neighbors, and acquaintances during their times of difficulties? I managed okay, but probably not as well as I’d hoped in certain situations. Sometimes, the feeling that I was in the way or intruding swept over me. That’s when it was time for a quick exit. Then a sigh, and ‘I should have known better.’ I prayed they’d forgive me for overstepping the boundaries of… 

An Invitation To Celebrate When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned – by Bekah Jane Pogue   If you want a fresh perspective on how to develop a real relationship with God, Choosing REAL offers positive insight. You’ll find confirmation that no amount of work, serving, or giving can make God love you any more than He already does. In case you haven’t noticed, life doesn’t always go as planned. Your child becomes ill, a loved one dies, or your tooth breaks. Your car won’t start, you have a flat tire, or run out of gas. What about, you lose your… 

Women of Faith Bible Study – Forward by Patsy Clairmont “Why do I need to pray? It’s never worked for me.” “When I pray, it feels like my prayer bounces off the ceiling. I don’t think God hears me.” “Must be some magic formula. I hear people talk about prayers being answered, but I’m clueless.” If you’ve asked those questions or the mountain of other questions about whether God really hears and answers prayer, then you are in for an eye-opening revelation. Yes, absolutely, certainly, positively, definitely, completely, assuredly—God Answers Prayer! Does that answer YOUR questions? Maybe? But, how can… 

The pre-lit 7-foot Christmas tree that worked perfectly last year, kept me buried in its branches for over an hour. I searched for lost electrical plugs hanging in its depths hoping to find a logical reason why all the bulbs wouldn’t light up. Branches slapped against my cheeks, scratched my arms, strained my aching back, and yes, the ultimate…broke a nail. Ulg! For someone who likes everything in its proper place and in perfect working order, this process was a test of my nerves and patience. Tension rose and my face warmed. Tears threatened. Thoughts of throwing the tree out… 

I thought I was prepared for anything my mother might say or do, but nothing was farther from the truth. The very core of my heart shattered when I realized she no longer recognized me or my two sisters. “You sure are sweet.” She looked at me with a distant gaze and smiled. “Thank you. I take after my mom.” She smiled again. “That’s nice.” I questioned, “Do you know who my mother is?” She squinted her eyes, “Hmm, I’m thinking.” Dementia and Alzheimer’s is a sad and heartbreaking disease. Medication has done little to slow its thieving, memory-snatching process…