Growing in Wisdom and Truth

January 2, 2026Leave a comment

As we begin a new year, we have the opportunity to make a fresh start and begin positive new habits. You may be like me in that you want to continue to grow in wisdom and truth each year, especially in a culture that seems to be heading away from those foundations. How can we allow our roots to grow deeper in what we know we can trust?

There is no greater source of wisdom and truth than the Bible. Let’s make this year a time of digging in and reading God’s Word. Not just listening to what others have to say, but really getting to know the Bible ourselves. In it, we find the beautiful story of redemption woven through every page. We learn about the God who loves us and sent His son to offer His life as payment for our sins.

Let’s resolve to read the Bible daily and feed on its principles. I personally like the One Year Bible, which offers a reading in the Old Testament, the New Testament, a Psalm, and several proverbs. You can also find the One Year Chronological Bible, which I did last year, and loved it.

The Bible is a treasure. It is a spiritual book that must be spiritually discerned, so ask for His Spirit to guide you in all truth as you read. I recommend the ESV Study Bible if you want to delve deeper into specific passages. My point is, let’s not neglect the greatest source of wisdom and truth for our lives. May we make it a goal to read the Bible every day, and become men and women who know and love what is good, pure, and admirable.

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – Jesus

The Month of Mom

May 10, 2025Leave a comment

Motherhood – it’s the toughest job you’ve ever loved! Through both the joys and the hardships, your words, actions, and example speak volumes into the lives of those you love. In this springtime of the year, I want to encourage you to think about the seeds you are planting into the soft and fertile soil of your children’s minds and hearts.

Whether you are a mom, grandmom, aunt, or teacher, here are some tips to help you think about making a positive impact for generations to come.

Speak Words of Truth – In a world full of misinformation, our young people are hungry for what is real and true. Wisdom from the Bible offers a firm foundation to feed the mind and spirit. We can choose deliberate times throughout our week to teach our kids spiritual truths from God’s word and plant seeds of hope, faith, and peace in their hearts. Children’s devotionals and Bibles offer great resources for intentionally building an understanding of God’s love.

Use Teachable Moments – Opportunities to teach, train, and discipline occur spontaneously throughout each day, but we have to be looking for them. Disappointments or frustrations can become opportunities to ask God for peace and direction. A beautiful day, a trip to the zoo, a walk on the beach, a view of the stars – all offer joyful ways to point to the Creator of all things. Let’s grab these moments to gently point upward and invite our kids to see something bigger than themselves.

Remember the Power of Your Example – Our kids learn best, not from the words that come from our mouths but from the life lessons they observe in our actions. Our example shouts loudly and teaches our kids how to act and how to live. What positive principles does your life teach? Is it kindness, hope, and trust in God? Or is it anger, resentment, and constant frustration? It’s good to ponder what we are portraying.

As you can see, we have a powerful influence. Let’s be intentional about relaying positive messages and life lessons to the young ones in our lives. I am convinced that the only way I can be a good example and speak words of wisdom is to seek the Lord’s help each day. Every morning, I pray for His Spirit to flow through me in order to love those around me with grace and sincerity.

Keep looking up and leaning on Him as you speak into the next generation through your words and actions.

Photo by Sai De Silva on Unsplash

For more positive encouragement check out Karol’s book, The Power of a Positive Mom

The Journey from Palm Sunday to Redemption

April 16, 2025Leave a comment

How fickle the crowds were. How fickle I can be. The crowds adored Him on Palm Sunday, and by Friday, they were yelling, “Crucify Him!” Yet, in my own life, it is easy to praise Him when things go well, and become angry when life goes sour. What I so easily forget is that God has a plan, and sometimes it includes hard things.

Hundreds of years before Jesus entered humanity in a trough cradle, the prophet Isaiah spoke about the Messiah’s purpose and His sorrows:

Who has believed our message
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
    and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
    nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.
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.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:1-6, NIV)

Clearly, God had an intentional plan from the very beginning. A plan to rescue and redeem humanity. A plan of forgiveness for all who believe. Christ’s death wasn’t a mistake or an afterthought, it was a Good Plan. In fact, later in this same passage, Isaiah reassured God’s people:

But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him
    and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
    he will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
    and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
    he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
    my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
    for he will bear all their sins. (Isaiah 53:10,11, NLT)

God’s good plan included both pain and victory. Jesus’ death on the cross was deliberate and purposeful. Because He loves us, He gave His life on our behalf. Our response is to believe and to trust Him.

This Holy week, as we observe His loving and ultimate sacrifice, let us fall to our knees in worship and thanksgiving. Let us proclaim this good news to all who will hear. And let us recognize that God has a good plan, not only for humanity, but for our lives personally. He can redeem even our biggest troubles.

Reflective questions:

In what area of your life do you need to trust God’s good plan for you?

Do you believe Jesus gave His life on your behalf?