Do you have ‘the joy switch’?
Have you ever lost it—at a time when things were humming along for you? You were feeling good—until someone said or did just the thing to set you off. You got derailed, pushed out of your sweet spot. You stopped listening
4 journal prompts for ‘Present Over Perfect’ living
Let’s talk for a minute about “perfect.” Perfect is brittle and unyielding, plastic, distant, more image than flesh. It keeps us isolated and exhausted, trying to reach some ideal that never comes. And so, instead: present. If perfect is plastic, present
When Trash Becomes Treasure, part 4
A Scripture study from Caring, part four of four. Jesus still did good amid his trials. He had compassion and kindness and love—even to the point of death on the cross. Just as Jesus continued his mission to salvage the lost
5 ways to protect your emotional wellness in the in-between
We’re in the in-between phase of our transition out of the pandemic and this is one situation none of us have ever been through before. We’ll each be navigating in different ways depending on our specific situations—working from home or
When Trash Becomes Treasure, part 3
A Scripture study from Caring, part three of four. Through the Scriptures we’ve seen how Jesus responds to “trash” days. We’ve gained perspective on how salvation is like being salvaged from the wreckage of this world and how God not only
Why you need to get out of your bubble
Our hearts have been designed for the kind of kinship and connection that can only come from being in a community and together with other people. God knew from the very beginning that this type of existence would be the
When Trash Becomes Treasure, part 2
A Scripture study from Caring, part two of four. Shortly after I had experienced my most recent garbage day, my husband and I had a Zoom meeting with our daughter’s teacher. Her teacher knows that we work for The Salvation Army
Tech program is helping seniors participate in life online
Like other older adults, Jeanie Lemaire, 70, didn’t grow up using computers and mobile phones. She recognizes the value of technology and has made some attempts to learn, but beyond making a phone call or sending a text on her
When Trash Becomes Treasure, part 1
A Scripture study from Caring, part one of four. Have you ever had a bad day? A terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day? One of my favorite books is “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day.” Alexander
How to be a social media peacemaker
By Douglas S. Bursch– We are called to be peacemakers. However, if our actions are not thoughtful and intentional, we wound those entrusted to our care. We harm friends, family, neighbors, strangers and the people we come across in our online
How to style thrift store finds at home
And what to look for while you shop Have you ever walked into a thrift store, seen items in every direction and felt like you just didn't know where to look or what to pick up? Or how you'd use that
Finding the unexpected power of selflessness
When I was but a young, self-proclaimed missionary attending church, my mother would play the piano and we’d sing the hymn Count Your Blessings, which encouraged us to name our blessings “one by one” to “see what God hath done.”