Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. – Leviticus 19:18

In the 1987 movie The Princess Bride, Westley is a shy farmhand who eventually rescues and falls in love with Princess Buttercup.  In stark contrast to Westley, Inigo Montoya is a swordsman who seeks revenge against the six-fingered man who murdered his father. His favorite phrase to say is: “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

It’s easy to hold a grudge and react like Montoya, but it’s hard to love like Westley.  But God commands us specifically to not “seek revenge or bear a grudge,” (Lev. 19:18).  [Read more…]

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM!” (2 Cor. 3:17)

I absolutely love it when I understand a Biblical concept! I know that sounds a little strange, not like the usual, “I love pizza” or “I love that dress,” but it is true! Too many times I have heard people say they, “don’t get that religious stuff” or “Bible study is boring.” If they only knew the freedom that comes from understanding God’s Word!

I have taught Bible study for over 10 years and throughout that time women have come to me and said that God’s word is just what they needed in their life and they would be lost without it. [Read more…]

Once we have identified what we are experiencing in difficult times as a spiritual struggle, how can we prepare ourselves to grow from it?

1. Honestly express your emotions to God. We may be hesitant to talk with God about what we are really feeling, but God can handle it! 1 Peter 5:7
2. Fight the temptation to run from your distress. The temptation is to try to get back to “normal.” However, you have a “new normal” and God has much for you to learn in the new life. [Read more…]

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. – Romans 12:2

We all love a before and after picture. We love to see what changes have taken place in someone’s life. There have been many television shows that are all about makeovers — everything from What Not to Wear to Extreme Home Makeover. We watch the transformation occur in 30 short minutes. Wouldn’t it be great if it happened that way in real life!

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Most of us hate feeling powerless; and, indeed, it is not very good for us – especially for extended periods of time. It can lead to depression, anxiety, outbursts of anger, alienation from others, physical symptoms; and, in its trauma form, it can lead to the symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD (e.g. nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and loss of concentration or memory to name a few).

Sometimes powerlessness comes from circumstances we have little or no control over. Other times it comes from the consequences of our actions. The latter can be even more frustrating because we may say, “I could have done something different“. We ruminate and replay the situation over and over. This can be helpful if we can process it into lessons learned, insight, awareness about others or ourselves, and character growth.

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