Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Spiritual Challenges”
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an obsession as a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling. This word is thrown around casually by many, including me. The key word here is unreasonable. I’ve stated that I’m obsessed with work, but that’s clearly an exaggeration. Or is it? A few years ago while researching the Internet for a writing project, …
You may remember April 20, 1999 as the day two students went into Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado with semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and bombs. They killed twelve fellow students, one teacher, and wounded twenty-one others. It’s a hard day to forget for many, but for me, it had personal impact because it was my first year as a teacher. …
If your mom was anything like mine, you grew up with the adage if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. One of those lessons we learn early and often forget later in life. I know I’ve struggled at times to swallow back things best left unsaid. I was recently convicted by the Holy Spirit …
If you’re a Jeopardy fan, the answer to the title of this post would be, “What is a red herring?” You may wonder why I’m writing about stinky, smoked fish. A red herring is a term for a literary device that leads readers (or an audience) toward a false conclusion. If you’re a fan of mysteries, I’m sure you’ve seen …
You only have to read through the book of Jeremiah to see that our culture is sprinting toward the path of the Israelites. The chosen people turned their backs on God, and each generation fell further into depravity than the one before. Sexual immorality, debauchery, human sacrifice, and idol worship to name a few. Our only saving grace is Jesus, …
There isn’t a time I can recall when I didn’t believe in God and know the name of Jesus. I’d go to bed every night and say The Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, and The Act of Contrition. There was a superstitious quality to this nightly routine—if I didn’t fall immediately to sleep, it was often because I’d forgotten to say …
Stand up if you like to make New Year’s Resolutions. Great. There are quite a few of you out there. Now, if you typically fail to keep them past the end of February, take a seat. Hmm. It doesn’t appear they often survive the test of time. Resolutions are disciplined habits, and unless we do something regularly for at least …
“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2 Saturday afternoon, I had a book signing at a sweet vintage/home décor shop in Lewisburg called the Old Rink Emporium. It …
Do you remember the old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? I’m sure whoever came up with it meant well. In fact, it originated in the Christian Recorder March 1862, so the author may have felt it was biblical. But the truth is, words do hurt. Proverbs 8:12 says, There is one …
Tell me I’m not the only person out there to ever get a little head-slap from God. It not only hurts (emotionally), but it’s humiliating, as well. That moment when the Holy Spirit unveils my eyes to my failure, and I hang my head in shame. Why does it always come as such a shock? One would think I’d be …
