Crohn’s Yesterday, we found out that our son has Crohn’s disease. He’s 10 years old. Too young to face a life sentence, which is essentially what Crohn’s is: an incurable auto-immune disease which attacks the good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, causing chronic inflammation. During his colonoscopy, his small intestine was so inflamed that the […]
Focus
“Sharing is Caring”
You may have seen this quote at the end of a blog post, by the social media sharing icons. If you came to my house, you’d hear it recited among my children as they try to weasel a toy from an unwilling sibling. In truth, though, sharing is an expression of caring for others, and […]
What Empowers True Community?
Pray for one another. (James 5:16) “My family is coming into town, and they insist on staying with us, even though we don’t have enough room and we really don’t get along very well. I am stressed out about their visit; I don’t know how I’ll make it for a whole week with them in […]
True Community Celebrates the Success of Others
“Rejoice with those who rejoice.” (Romans 12:15) Have you ever outwardly congratulated a friend on her accomplishment while inwardly wishing it could have been you instead of her? Have you ever felt like giving up on your dream after seeing another person fulfill it first- and better? Have you ever been so focused on your […]
How Do We Carry Each Others’ Burdens?
“Carry each other’s burdens.” (Galatians 6:2) We All Carry A Burden If you are human, you have a burden. Are you in a relationship where you feel obligated to deliver or perform for approval or acceptance? That’s a burden. Do you have credit card debt? That’s a burden. Do you bear the weight of poor […]
What is True Community?
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in […]
McMuffin or StudMuffin: The Choice is Yours
Today, McDonald’s unfolds a new initiative: the All Day Breakfast Menu. Now, by popular demand, their 27 million daily U.S. customers can enjoy many of their trans fat laden, high sodium and syrup infused breakfast delights any time of the day. I will not be one of them. THE LINE Each morning when I leave […]
5 Strategies to Avoid Unnecessary Spending
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26 Part of adopting a minimalist approach to life is living only with those things that are necessary and bring […]
Minimalism in the Bathroom and a Beauty Giveaway!
Over the past few weeks, I have slowly been working my way through our bathroom drawers and closet. We currently have one bathroom to service our family of seven, and lines are frequent in our hallway. The good news is that we will hopefully have a second bathroom installed this year yet- hallelujah! I don’t […]
Minimalism and the Mindful Shopper
Yesterday, I went shopping. I didn’t want to go, but my new little soccer players needed shin guards for their first games today. Kohl’s department store loomed across the parking lot from Dick’s Sporting Goods. I brought the 30% off coupon that arrived in the mail, just in case. That coupon nearly burned a […]