Author: Pam R

Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting…

Years ago, we were given a copy of the Oregon Trail card game. Oldest person goes first, so I picked a card and read, “You died of Cholera.” Wow. Fun! Rules dictate that the game continue with the remaining players. I don’t remember if it did. I was dead, right? But I was reminded of…

I caught myself indulging in a little “stinking thinking” this week. You know, the things your mind tells you that you know are not true, but you believe anyway. Stuff like, “you are such a failure.” “You’ll never get better.” “You are not sick, just lazy.” We all have that little voice in our heads….

I’ve been dealing with a dry, tickly cough for a few days. Seasonal allergies, I told myself. Then Saturday, I woke up with a sore throat. Uh-oh. It’s funny that, when I get sick, I wonder what I am being punished for. Because everyone knows that illness is a result of some moral failure. Then…

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;    his love endures forever.Psalm 107:1 NIV *** To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us – and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it…

I’m reading a series of books where the characters are Christians. They’re a quick read, and the plots are interesting. But each character eventually says, “It’s all my fault.” I think everyone feels that way from time to time. But is it true? I heard someone say, “The first thing we do is find someone…

“So instead of making vows about how my spiritual life will be perfectly well organized until I die, I seek to surrender my will for just this day. I look for small graces. I try to engage in little acts of service. I pray briefly to accommodate my limited attention span. I look for ways…

“Small graces” means to appreciate the simple and positive aspects of life, especially when facing challenges or hardships. It can refer to actions, or to experiences, like hearing the birds. Small graces can help us cope with stress and find joy in everyday moments. Whether we notice or not, we are surrounded by these graces every moment of…

The first time the 17-year “locusts,” as we called them, came, was the year I turned 8. I remember being grossed out by the thick coating of exoskeletons on the ground. At least that’s what I remember. It probably wasn’t that bad. Was it? *** From the internet: North America is the only place in…