Easter has an awkward history no doubt. So many of the iconic images and traditions of Easter have pagan origins. But isn’t it amazing that most elements of Easter can be reclaimed to point to Christ? So where do some of our Easter symbols come from?
In the aftermath of this tragedy, God called me to forgive—not just the mother who had caused so much harm, but to extend grace and help where I could. It became clear that we couldn’t sit idly by while single mothers and their children suffered.
Years ago, hiking a mountain was just a dream. Trapped by yo-yo dieting, sugar addiction, morbid obesity, and emotional exhaustion, my heart was heavy with guilt and shame. But then everything changed! By God’s grace, I quit sugar and adopted a low-carb lifestyle. This decision renewed my mind and helped me gain a one-hundred-pound weight loss victory.
Spiritual warfare is real. According to 2 Corinthians 4:18, the spiritual realm is even more real than the physical world. But it’s challenging enough to do battle with the devils we can see, let alone the ones we can’t. Is it possible for Christians to stand up against spiritual attacks and make a difference in the world?
Experts believe the Widow Brain serves as a coping mechanism to protect us from the intense pain and grief of loss. We may think we are abnormal because the symptoms last so long; they can last up to one year or longer.
Have you ever had one of those days where everything seemed to fall apart? Maybe it’s not just a day—perhaps it’s weeks, months, or even years of turmoil and chaos. When everything feels like it’s crumbling, it’s easy to believe it will never get better. Hope can feel lost.
I sat alone with God, reflecting on the jobs I’d held. He lovingly explained that I was not defined by things He gave me to hold.
When my family lived in Taiwan, each Christmas and Easter I went into schools and shared about Jesus. One of the first times, I was speaking to some kindergarteners, and I said, “You know how your parents love you even when you do something wrong?” Every child shook their head NO. It broke my heart. I shifted gears, remembering the culture I was in. These children had learned already that love was earned and could easily be lost in their culture.
When my husband, Tom, was in high school, a classmate leaned over and casually asked, “Hey, would you like to go to church with me sometime?” Tom wasn’t opposed to church. He’d just never been invited before. This invitation got him to a place where he began hearing the gospel.
Many of us live it. Our self-concept is flawed. We place ourselves before a funhouse mirror, convinced we are looking at a true reflection.