As a society, we are always promoting our best for ourselves. However, these self-centered statements like “being my best self,” “being the best version of me,” or “ I am living my best life” can end up hurting ourselves and others. This happens when we interpret these phrases with the idea that we do it by ourselves, which is not a sustainable way to live. When I see these “best” phrases, there are two ways they potentially affect people's lives.
Read MoreBefore you can even think about 2020, you have to get your head around what 2019 has meant to you.
Read MoreWe checked our analytics and rounded up our 10 most-read articles of the year (can you sense a theme?!):
Read MoreI always have mixed feelings when I look back over my photo collection from the past decade. Facebook always seems to be able to pick out and share some good times that are memorable moments to remember. I love to reminisce over all the wonderful changes that have taken place in my life and I feel blessed to see how far I have come. On the other hand, I have to admit, I also feel a twinge of sadness.
Read More“Comparison is the thief of joy” - I tell myself this often, and while there is truth to that statement, there’s also value in looking back to other, harder times in our lives and comparing the past to today’s victories. When I compare my life to where I was 5 years ago, I rejoice at what God has done for me.
Read MoreThis time of year always grips me with stress and fear. Not necessarily due to the busyness of the holiday season (although that is certainly there) but because of all the unknowns looming in the year ahead. As disciples of Jesus, however, we are called to allow tomorrow to inform the decisions of today, but return to the urgent business of the living present, in the moment. In other words, we are wise about the future but we do not live there.
Read MorePropriety is not a word most of us know or use today. It means “characterized by appropriateness and stability.” As children of a holy God, this means behaving in a way that is appropriate for Christians and that doesn’t bring shame to the Gospel. But what does that look like practically in the modern world?
PLUS: Will Tirzah be around in 2020? Read this month’s letter from the editor to learn more about Tirzah’s future.
Read MoreDid you know that as believers and followers of Jesus, we need to be careful with how we spend our time? We do. We need to be careful with what we read, what we watch, and what we listen to. A lady that I have “followed” for years through her blog posts made me aware of this fact. Before I start, though, can I just tell you how thankful I am for an online community of women who love Jesus that I have never personally laid eyes on? Social media gets such a bad rap, but when it is used for good, the enemy needs to beware!
Read MoreLet’s talk about Halloween - about its origins, what it is today, and what the Bible has to say about this issue.
Read MoreTo the girl whose stomach sinks when she thinks too much about life… You are seen. You are loved. You are held.
Read MoreIn Philippians 4, the apostle Paul gives exhortations to the church. He encourages them to stand fast and to have peace and joy in all circumstances, an exhortation that remains relevant for us as believers today. But what about when we are faced with very real and, sometimes, debilitating anxiety? How do we stand fast to God’s peace and continue to rejoice when an anxiety attack urges us to take flight? These are two questions I’ve asked myself and am still pursuing day-to-day.
Read MoreHave you ever felt tired and worn out, but nothing seems to quench your thirst for rest? Imagine, you are in a desert and your mouth is aching for a drop of water. You see an oasis in the distance, but as you move closer, you realize your mind was playing a trick on you--a hallucination. Something looked like your solution (and for a bit it was) but your thirst was never satisfied. Sometimes we can feel this way about rest. We continue to look for long term solutions, but become disappointed with the momentary idea of satisfaction as we realize our coping mechanism was only giving us an illusion of rest.
Read MoreI wrote My Inner Child two years ago. Poetry is an outlet for my pain. Writing, although difficult, helps get pieces of my brain onto the page so that I have more clarity on my struggles. Little did I know that this is where I would continually meet with our God. Jehovah has used this poem as a place holder in my life. He has been whispering gently to me, “Darling, we are coming back to this place of pain and I will go through it with you.”
Read More
Ruthie Allen is a friend, wife, mother, entrepreneur, and photographer. She began the Return to Rest Retreat in 2014, understanding that her many titles complimented her, but that they were not what her identity was built on. Return to Rest is a retreat for ALL women rooted in finding true rest through Jesus Christ. Ruthie is excited to continue to share this message of rest with others as she facilitates this retreat in a cozy cabin in New Hampshire.
When I was in high school, one of my friends gave me a beautiful pink mug with the words from Philippians 4:8 written on it. I loved it as soon as I saw it. This gift has turned out to be one of my absolute favorite mugs. It traveled with me to college and, later on, to my first solo apartment. The pink mug has survived countless moves, and I still drink out of it at least once a week.
Read MoreI love fall! The minute I feel that slight chill in the air and I start seeing pumpkin everything, I can’t help but get excited. Sweaters, boots, chili, bonfires, apple cider--I love it all! But there’s something more significant about this season that draws me in every year. Fall can actually be a great reminder of God’s goodness, even in the toughest times.
Read MorePodcasts have grown increasingly popular over the years and it seems like you can find one on just about any topic. Today, we’re sharing with you some of the best Christian podcasts that are sure to fill you with positivity and encouragement as you go through your day.
Read MoreIn college, I bought a puppy. A really cute Golden Retriever puppy to be exact. It was a dark season for me and I was so tired of being there. I just wanted to be happy. So I looked at what made other people “happy.”
Read MoreHustle. It’s become the buzzword of our time - along with similar words like grind and productivity. It seems like everyone is managing a job, plus a side project, a full social life, an intense workout routine, and an Instagram-worthy home with a fridge arranged in rainbow order. There are hundreds of articles with advice for getting more things done in less time so you can then do even more things.
Read MoreAnxiety has become a buzzword in society. Everywhere we look we see people openly admitting that they have anxiety, followed by their recommendations on how to alleviate it. It’s almost becoming a normal thing to have some sort of mental illness and declare it across social media. Let’s not forget the jokes suggesting things like needing a Xanax to calm down from a day.
Read More
