Discover the benefits of Thanksgiving.
If you live long enough, you will face trials. Gut wrenching stuff. The Lord even promised we would have troubles in this life. However, the Word also says “In everything give thanks…” (I Thess. 5:18) On the surface, that doesn’t make a lot of sense. No one enjoys the hard parts of life. I’d rather sip tea and read a mystery novel about someone else’s problems.
My guest this week was Carol Leatham. She and her husband planned on a vacation, but he ended up in a mental hospital, and she wasn’t sure how to cope. She discovered the benefits of thanksgiving and wrote about her journey in Finding Joy in my Messy Life. Her answers were raw and real.
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Do you ever feel like David the shepherd boy standing before a huge giant who is armed and ready to kill you? Life in our country feels like war sometimes. However, we know the secret to finding strength. My guest this week was author Debbie Wilson. She wrote a series of books on how big God is. The last one, Little Strength Big God, will arrive on the shelves soon. She shared the time she faced a cancer diagnosis and explained her response. You’ll be encouraged.
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Unlock the Keys to Hospitality: With the holidays coming, we are all thinking about having people in our homes. However, you might not realize the incredible impact hospitality can have.
My guest this week was Victoria Duerstock. She owns a Christian publishing house, and she has written the book Extra Ordinary Hospitality for Extra Ordinary Christians. We discussed how we touch others by spending time with them as well as some of the issues you might face as you open your house to guests.
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“Dear Father, As November arrives and we prepare for the holidays, warm our hearts with your love and remind us to hover ever closer to you. Keep our hearts pure so we are ready to meet you anytime. The business of celebrating, decorating, preparing meals, and entertaining family can distract us from building your kingdom. Help us to proclaim you and your grace with diligence. In your mercy, overflow our hearts with praise for your gifts. Blessed be the name of the Lord. In the Name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.”
May the below Others-Centered November 2022 Calendar Challenge be an encouragement to you and those around you. My team and I pray these prompts get you one step closer toward our God, the Ultimate Father, who controls ALL things, including justice, peace, and the nations.
To download, the November 2022 Others Centered Calendar Challenge, click here.
Churchill’s secretary and bodyguard collaborated this story, although Churchill didn’t publicly admit to the event.
Winston Churchill’s mother came from the United States, so he always felt a special comradery with the American people. In addition, he and Roosevelt shared a long-term friendship. After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt invited Churchill to the White House for Christmas, and they probably strategized about the war. One morning, Roosevelt devised a new name for what would become the United Nations. He eagerly rolled his wheelchair into the Lincoln bedroom to chat with Churchill. However, Churchill had just crawled out of the bathtub. The hot water had left his skin very pink. Horrified, Roosevelt apologized.
Churchill replied. “The Prime Minister of England has nothing to hide from the President of the United States.”
Churchill later remarked to King George VI that he was the only British Prime Minister who ever entertained a foreign dignitary in the nude.
What a joy to have a heart so pure, you have nothing to hide. Hebrews 4:13 says, “…there is no creature hidden from His [God’s] sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” The chaotic world around us reminds us Jesus could return at any time. Be prepared!
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9
Photo by Barthelemy de Mazenod
Katherine von Bora was my guest this week. Complete with photos, “Katie” shared the history behind Halloween. Her husband, Dr. Martin Luther, started the Protestant Reformation on October 31, 1517. The church celebrated All Saint’s Day on November 1. Weary of unethical practices wrote out objections he wanted to debate.
All Saints Day commemorated godly men and women from the past, and priests arranged the icons for the peasants to venerate on All Hallows Eve. Luther had a heart for the peasants and wanted them to understand salvation comes by faith in Jesus’s death.
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This is our third week discussing recover from church trauma. This week my guest was Nancy Kay Grace, who served as a pastor’s wife for 47 years. From her wealth of experience, she offered help on forgiveness and healing.
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Download a study guide on church trauma here
This is the second of three podcasts on recovery from Church trauma.
You do not expect to experience trauma at church, however, people sin at church too.
Author Rebecca White was my guest this week. She shared about living through a church split. You will hear her talk about kindness, helping others, and filling in for people who are missing. Yeah! The Holy Spirit worked. The church belongs to Jesus, and he steps in when we mess up. The Lord heals people using imperfect people. Beautiful!
Listen to the second podcast on church trauma here
