For some, leaving Christmas decorations up into January (or after!) is a way to hold on to the joyous scenes of the season. For me, I prefer to spend the week between Christmas and New Year's slowly but surely taking down the last trace of tinsel. My household celebrates and decorates Christmas big—down to each room getting a makeover, from our vintage Christmas cottage comforter to the ice-skating Mickey & Minnie shower curtain in our daughter's bathroom. Simplifying and cle

Joy isn’t found in the absence of suffering, but in remembering who Jesus is and what He has done for us.

We don’t always get clarity on the road ahead. But God invites us to trust that the unknown path may be the most meaningful part of the journey.

Faith allows me to know that even though I’m often caught unaware by my life circumstances, God never is.  He’s already planned how to work through them for my good (Romans 8:28).  It’s hope of God moving in all things that allows me to move forward with joy and freedom, tackling my issues with faith instead of being dominated by them.

Even at night when my thoughts trouble me, I will bless the Lord… but learning to release control was not as easy as I wanted it to be.

The to-do list is still there, but it no longer owns me—my strength comes from God, the Maker of heaven and earth.

You are my Calm amidst the storm, and I know You will never forsake me—not now, not tomorrow, not ever.

By Barb Lownsbury The swish-swish of the windshield wipers kept rhythm as I searched through the dreary, rainy parking lot for a close...