I don’t know about you, but I enjoy getting new clothes - even new-to-me clothes. It feels good to add something to my closet. Now, how many of you like to purge your closet of old clothes? I know some individuals who still have clothes from when they were in High School. I mean, if I had kept mine from those days, they would probably be in style again!

Sometimes the peace of God doesn’t feel or smell or look much like we think it should—at least not at the start.

“God, help me …” I turned to my heavenly Father for what seemed like the tenth time. If I channeled my despair into prayer like the Bible instructs us —Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition...present your requests to God. And the peace of God...will guard your hearts and your minds (Philippians 4:7) — surely sleep would come.

I didn't have a name for what I was feeling. In hindsight, I was dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression and didn't even realize it. Suddenly, the things that brought me joy didn't do anything for me. How could I feel numb on Easter of all days?

Before I get into how to receive your healing from God, I want to ask you a question, and I want you to answer it honestly. Do you believe God is a healer? Okay, that was throwing you a soft pitch because most people would agree that God is a healer. Now for the hard pitch, do you believe healing is for you?

Jesus came to heal you and me, spirit, soul, and body. I am so thankful for this healing power available to us. However, why are so many Christians sick in their minds and bodies? Many of us have stories of people we know and love that battled or are currently battling sickness and disease. The question arises, why? Why did that good, Christ-loving Christian get sick? Why do children get sick and die, or why are babies born with birth defects? WHY?!? This question is often asked with anger and bitterness behind it. When a loved one gets sick and dies, it's not fair, and it hurts. Although we may not say it out loud, the thought lingers, "God, why didn't You do something about that? Why did you allow that sickness and disease in the first place?"

February is typically the month we focus on love because of Valentine’s Day. Most of the time, we talk about the mushy romantic parts of love. However, I want to focus on the not-so-fun but necessary part of love, forgiveness.

2 Timothy 1:7 says, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Something’s gone wrong. Your work colleagues have competing agendas and you can’t get the project out the door. Or you’re yelling at your kids and you don’t know how to stop. Once upon a time, God created all things good. But in this situation, God’s perfect created order seems very far away.

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!