by Cynthia L Simmons | Jan 1, 2023 | Encouragement
Do you worry about 2023?
The world is getting crazier every day. There’s hope!
Josh watched his drunk father beat his mother. Fellow school children laughed about the antics of the town drunk, his father. One day Josh found his mother in bed crying. She told him his dad broke her heart and she wanted to die as soon as Josh graduated from high school.
After Josh graduated, his mother died. The tragedy made him despise his father, and he hated God. While he was in college, other students challenged him to prove God didn’t exist. He accepted and traveled to libraries all over the world, researching truth. Finally, one day, Josh realized his task was impossible. God was real.
He met a man who mentored him for six months through Scripture, and Josh’s mind and heart healed. He forgave his father. Josh devoted his life to writing and speaking about the facts he learned. Like Josh McDowell, we can “… overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NAS)”
by Cynthia L Simmons | Jan 1, 2023 | Encouragement
To kick us off with new habits that lead toward progress, and not perfection, my team and I have created a Habit Tracker to help organize your monthly goals. And yes, we want to aim toward monthly, versus yearly goals that we may forget. Studies show that monthly progress keep us in track. Here you can jot down your monthly goals and even include the Bible Verses that have inspired your goal. Each day, read those verses as you pray to our Everlasting Father and ask for strength and determination to get you close to His design, His will for you.
And as we do each month, let’s pray together: Oh Father, Creator, the One who holds our life breath, we humble ourselves before you as we step into this new year. Protect us from evil and give us your wisdom and guidance. May we speak the wonders of your mercy and grace every day of 2023. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
For your monthly encouragement, download, the January 2023 Others Centered Calendar Challenge, click here.
by Cynthia L Simmons | Dec 28, 2022 | Podcast
Normally, we start the New Year by thinking how we failed the previous year and wishing we’d done better. We wanted to lose thirty pounds and only lost fifteen. Let’s think positively. Author Peggy Sue wells challenged me to evaluate last year before launching into 2023. She said we can reflect and measure our progress. Reframe our thoughts, and then refocus for the new year. What a refreshing difference.
Listen here
For more New Year’s thoughts listen here
by Cynthia L Simmons | Dec 22, 2022 | Podcast
Christmas Prayer,
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Listen here
Another podcast: Christmas in a messed up world, listen here
by Cynthia L Simmons | Dec 22, 2022 | Uncategorized
Cynthia offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of God’s only begotten son, Jesus.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
by Cynthia L Simmons | Dec 16, 2022 | Podcast
How do you mix inflation and Christmas? Years ago people recycled. Women would remake a dress to update the fashion. Or they would take a dress and cut it down to fit a child. People worked with what they had. So why not DIY Christmas? Redo and remake things and make them better than they were. I created a refrigerator magnet from junk mail and yarn. If you’d like to make one, download the directions here.
My guest this week was Tina Yeager. She wrote a book called Upcycled. Sometimes when we have been through a hard time, we feel totally useless, but the Lord can use all that heartache. Tina shows how. And he offers a free pattern for a gift here.
Listen here.
For more Christmas craft ideas, click here
by Cynthia L Simmons | Dec 16, 2022 | Uncategorized
How do you mix inflation with Christmas? If we look back in history, people recycled. So why not make gifts? Your kids will have fun, and grandparents love gifts from your kids. Cynthia created a refrigerator magnet from junk mail and yarn. You can download the free instructions here.
This week my guest was Tina Yeager. Her last book, Upcycled, shows great ideas on how to take old stuff and reuse it, make it better. It’s what God does for us with our heartache. Plus, it costs less. Be creative this Christmas!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
by Cynthia L Simmons | Dec 8, 2022 | Podcast
Today many women exhaust themselves with decorating, presents, parties, and entertaining for Christmas. But how did people celebrate years ago? Has the holiday always been this hectic?
Martha Washington joined us this week. She offered her thoughts on the holiday and explained customs in her day.
Watch here.
To discover more about Christmas in history, click here
