Positive Change

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No matter your past, you can make positive changes for the future. I often encourage young moms and dads with these words in our Engage Parenting classes. It’s important to be reminded that we don’t have to be stuck in our past or our mistakes. And although the way we were raised has an impact on us, it does not define us.

We can decide to take positive steps in a new direction. I’m not saying it’s easy, but it is possible to forge new paths. The apostle Paul said, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

What has God equipped you to do? Press on toward that goal. Seek His help and guidance each day as you make wise and healthy decisions for the future. Our past can strengthen us and teach us, but it doesn’t own us. Let’s take intentional steps each day to make a positive impact in this world as we bless and strengthen others.

3 Simple Steps to Positive Change

Identify old, unhealthy, unproductive patterns, attitudes, or mindsets in your life.

Intentionally replace negative thought patterns with positive phrases, words, scriptures, or quotes.

Implement new actions and habits. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you in a positive and productive direction. Pray daily for God’s help, strength, and guidance.

Keep On Doing Good

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It’s easy to grow weary in the midst of the many needs around us. Whether it’s a close friend, a family member or those who are suffering in southern California, we can quickly become overwhelmed by the ongoing care for others. Perhaps you find yourself asking the questions:

How can I help? Whom can I serve? What can I do to make a difference?

We can’t solve every challenge, but we certainly can do something. I always begin with prayer, “Lord, help the people in need. Show me how I can be your hands and feet. Direct me in ways to serve and give.” As I continue to pray for people in my life or in crisis, ideas begin to come to me on how I can be a support and who I need to reach out to with care. Remember, the Lord is full of compassion and He wants to direct our paths to help. Prayer is not a passive response to disaster, it is a powerful one!

As we see the overwhelming and continued needs in California, many trusted organizations are at work. Here are several of the ones I am familiar with who are not only boots-on-the-ground but also sharing Christ’s love:

Texans on Mission https://www.texansonmission.org/disaster-relief

Hollywood Prayer Network https://hollywoodprayernetwork.org/

Salvation Army https://salvationarmy.org/

Finally, I just want to share a story about how one neighborhood can serve another. As the desperate needs started surfacing in California, I began praying how my Neighborhood Bible study could help. One of the ladies in our Bible study had a contact with a precious family who lost everything in the Altadena fires. She reached out and asked how we could help. The family was able to provide a list of several families in their neighborhood along with their GoFundMe links.

We decided that we could pray and give and offer support for these families. We can’t do everything, but from our neighborhood to theirs, we could do something. Please continue to ask the Lord to guide you on how you can help. The physical needs are great, and the emotional needs will last for a long time as well.

Do not grow weary in well-doing. May God’s strength and wisdom be with us all.

Photo by Marlis Trio Akbar on Unsplash

Simple Ways to Thrive in 2025

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I love the first day of January! To me, each new year is filled with the potential to improve on the past. Sure, we’ve had accomplishments in the past year for which we can be grateful, but with the turn of the year comes the opportunity to rethink, regroup, and reconstruct for the future. I like to keep things uncomplicated and doable when it comes to a fresh start in January. Allow me to share three practical routines that help me take steps forward – perhaps they can encourage you as well.

Plan each day the night before. As I close out the end of each day, I take a moment to consider what needs to be done for the next. Typically, I write down the top three priorities that must be accomplished and then think through a general schedule for the day. I also make a list of who I need to call, email, or text. This has become a game changer for me over the years, as I sleep more peacefully and wake up ready to jump into the day.

Get up and get out. Whether it is a brisk walk outdoors, a trip to the gym, or a stroll to the local coffee shop, we all need physical activity and the social encounters that go with it. At our house, we have a giant white fluffy alarm clock known as our faithful dog. She demands a walk every morning, rain or shine, Saturday or not, so we don our sneakers and take her around the neighborhood.  Not only do we start our day with a breath of fresh air and a little exercise, but we typically make new friends along the way.  

Take some time each morning to pray and meditate on God’s Word. Find a quiet place and begin a daily routine of praising God, thanking Him for His blessings, and giving Him your concerns and worries. Dedicating daily quiet moments can equip you mentally, spiritually, and emotionally for the joys and challenges you face. Seeking God’s wisdom and direction and acknowledging your need for Him sets you on a path of finding your strength in Him. When we give our day to God, the twists and turns we encounter become opportunities to say, “Father God, I know you are in charge. What would you have me to do or learn through this situation?”

These are three simple practices, I know, but influential nonetheless. I hope this year will be filled with mercy, love, and peace for you and those around you. Let us seek to love God more deeply and to love others more sincerely in 2025.

Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash

Indulging in Joy and Forgiveness This Christmas

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‘Tis the season to splurge, right? From our favorite Holiday foods and lattes to decorations and shopping, there are certainly temptations to live more lavishly than normal. And if you’re like me, it’s easy to justify our excesses as we vow to do better starting in January.

But there are a few extravagances in which we should indulge, especially during this season of thankfulness and giving. What if we indulge in:

Relishing God’s abundant love and mercy toward us.

Forgiving and offering grace toward everyone we encounter.

Seeking His peace, wisdom, and strength.

Loving others in word and deed.

Praising God for who He is and all He does.

Sharing a smile or a hug.

Listening well and building a bridge of understanding.

A great list of indulgences, wouldn’t you agree? There are a few items that would be best to restrict from our diets during this time of year. Here’s my recommendation of habits to curb:

Grumbling

Gossiping

Anger

Bitterness

Let’s choose to make it a joyful Holiday Season, not because of the outward fluff of food, gifts, and decorations, but rather the inward qualities of a Christlike spirit. Let’s indulge ourselves in Him.

In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of sins,

in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

that he lavished on us.

Ephesians 1:7

Photo by Diliara Garifullina on Unsplash

Choosing a Positive Direction for the Fall

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Oh the joy of gathering together and finding a common connection! As summer fades and the school year begins, let’s take deliberate and positive steps into a new season of connections. One of the ways we can deepen our friendships as women is to study the Bible together. Several years ago, I reached out to my neighbors to see who would be interested in starting a neighborhood study. A handful of women began to gather over cups of coffee and an open Bible. It was beautiful. Friendships were born.

This fall, we are starting our fourth year of growing together. We call ourselves “House to House” Bible Study because we meet in different houses each week and simply study the Scripture together. We are non-denominational, non-political, non-gossipy, and non-grumbly. Our group has grown to many women outside our neighborhood, and the connections continue to deepen as we walk through the truths of the Bible together. If you live in the north Dallas area and or want to join us via Zoom, please email me at Karol@Karolladd.com (subject line Bible Study) and I’ll send you more information.

Many of the women in our group have never been to a Bible study before, while others are well-versed in His Word. It’s a lovely mosaic of people from all different denominational backgrounds. I’ve found that in general, women are hungry for fellowship and hungry for truth. Neighborhood Bible studies offer both.

Wherever you are, I want to encourage you to connect with the people God puts in your path. Reach out over a cup of coffee with neighbors and invite them to join you as you grow in truth. You can simply study the Bible or study a book that points to Biblical truth. I’ve listed several of my books below that are perfect for reaching out and gathering women together. Ask God to give you the courage to make positive steps of connection this fall as you encourage women with His love.

Here are some of my books that make a great group study: