This week I want to talk about keeping the clutter and chaos of what is going on in the world around us from taking up residence in us. How can we live in this chaotic world yet not let the chaos take us over?

As Christmas has come to an end, part of me really likes to get my house back to normal even though I LOVE Christmas decorations. I start putting Christmas items away. Before you know it, I want to tackle the kitchen cupboards, bathroom drawers, and my closet. It just feels good to clear the clutter and get organized. There is a sense of peace and accomplishment to put things in order. Okay, maybe that is the perfectionist in me trying to sneak out, but she's useful sometimes!

Most Christians have the desire to grow closer to God yet are unsure how to accomplish that. We picture God as a distant being who we don't want to bother, all the while longing to be close to Him and hear His voice. The thing is, He wants to be known by you and talk to you daily. He wants to reveal Himself to you and be your helper and friend.

If you are a parent or grandparent, it is fun to build up the excitement for Santa to come on Christmas Eve. However, are you building the same excitement and hope (earnest, intense, expectation) in Jesus - the reason for the season?

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." See, even God has plans made for you. He has written them in His “planner” for your life, and it is full of good things. His plans for you include hope and a future - not just any future, but a good one! The only deterrent that can prevent you from receiving that excellent plan for your life is you! If you choose to have your life your way, you forfeit God's plan. He won't override your will. He wants you to hope in Him and expect that His plans are best and will bring you peace beyond your understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

Through December, I want to focus on the subject of hope. Naturally speaking, hope is like something we wish for. It's nothing more than blowing the candles out on a birthday cake or throwing a coin into a fountain. A wish doesn't have an action attached to it - it is merely a fun thought of what we would like to happen. Find out what Biblical hope is here.

It seems as though everyone I talk to lately is ready for Christmas. This has been a tough year, and I think people crave the warm feeling that Christmas time brings. I am usually one to wait until after Thanksgiving to start celebrating Christmas. This year, I'm feeling a little differently. I'm ready to sprinkle a few Christmas decorations here and there. I'm want to play some Christmas songs and watch a couple Hallmark movies while drinking some hot chocolate...now.

You may have the belief that there is no harm in Christians participating in Halloween festivities - it’s an innocent holiday to dress up and eat a lot of candy! Yet, others of you may have a bold conviction to stay far away from anything remotely affiliated with Halloween. So, what does the Bible say about it?

Did you know that you have the capacity to change things? The Word says that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person does much. So, how do we make our prayers effective? There are actually many different kinds of prayer, but I want to give you the main keys to effective prayer.

I have realized that much of the anxiety I have experienced in my life is rooted in having an imaginary standard I had to live up to. If I am truly honest, the standard of perfectionism I had created for myself was not for me. It was for others - which is why it has been a source of anxiety.

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt overwhelmed by all you needed to get done? If so, this one is for you!

We have always taught our children that the choice of who they marry is probably THE most important decision they will ever make second to making Jesus the Lord of their life. The person you marry will have an impact on every area of your life - whether you realize it or not.

This week my family will embark on a new school year - my husband and myself as teachers and our youngest son as a Senior in High School. As schools start across the country they look extremely different than ever before. No one would have ever fathomed how quickly our world would change in a small amount of time. In fact, it almost feels like some kind of sci-fi movie that we are stuck in.

We all have in our possession two great gifts. The first gift you have been given is your talents, something which is unique to you. The second gift is time, which is something we all have an equal share of. I love watching people really excel in their natural talents. You may feel like there is nothing extraordinary about you - like God kind of passed you up on the talent side of things, but that is just not true.

The 4th of July is probably my favorite holiday. Maybe its because there is no stress attached to it. There is no expectation of how this holiday should look. I love the carefree feeling of summer, and I love to watch the beautiful fireworks. This year I appreciate that we can still celebrate together as "One Nation Under God."

Raise your hand if you have ever gotten to the end of your day and realized that you wore your shirt inside out all day. Unless it’s the style (as it was when I was young to wear sweatshirts inside out), It’s embarrassing to think how many people saw you that day and maybe noticed but didn’t say anything.

This month I have been addressing things we can do to give ourselves a personal “spring cleaning.” This week I want to discuss sleep since sleep is a significant influence on our health. Good sleep is obviously needed to help us lead productive lives - but why does it seem at times that the rest we so badly want and need stays just beyond our reach?

One of the most frequently asked question I get as a pastor is, “How do I hear from God?” or “How can I recognize when God is speaking to me?” So, I want to give you a little lesson on prayer and hearing from God. The following are habits that I have developed in my own life which I think will help you as well.

There is one verse that has really been ruminating in my mind and heart for the past week. That verse is 2 Timothy 1:7. It reads, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Another version says ..”a sound mind.”

This verse hits home for what is currently going on in our world as well as for me personally. First, we need to remember that we shouldn’t be in fear. Fear does not come from God - it comes from the devil and he is doing a good job at getting people snared in his web of fear that he is spinning.

Last week, I wrote about the need for a mental and physical “spring-cleaning.” You can read that blog here if you missed it. The first part of spring cleaning that must take place is decluttering. You know, those items around your house that you are keeping for some reason that you probably forgot about. When a room is decluttered, you are able to see other items more clearly as well as use the space for its intended purpose.