Are you struggling to connect with God? It could be spiritual laziness. Discover 5 signs that you might be spiritually lazy, plus action steps to help you conquer it and revitalize your relationship with God! Guest post by Mary at Healthy Christian Home It's 6:40 a.m. Cup of coffee in hand, I struggle to pry my eyelids open and focus. I reach for my phone (it's a habit, ok?) and my finger hovers between my Bible reading app and Facebook. Obviously, I know I should tap on "Bible" without a second thought and dive deep into Psalms. But in all honesty, I don't feel like it. Facebook, it is. Can you relate? As much as we want to be close to God, we don't always want to do what it takes to get us there. Similar to longing for those size 6 jeans, a learn more...
How to Wait on the Lord When You Don’t Understand His Plan
Guest post by Mary at HealthyChristianHome.com "God, are You listening?" I had waited years. Still, no answer. No answer for why my health was faltering, or how to begin the healing process. For 5 years I waited - and often wondered if God heard me or if the answers would ever come. Now on the other side of answered prayers, I see how God used this situation for good. And I'm amazed at the ways God provided for my needs. But in the middle of it all, I didn't feel patient. At all. I didn't want to wait on the Lord. What I wanted was to feel better - like, yesterday. Maybe you're in a similar situation. Whether you're waiting for healing, a future spouse, conflict resolution, or some other blessing - your desires are so strong, you can taste them. Maybe you learn more...
How to Make Your Marriage Exciting Again (even after a decade or more!)
Guest post by Mary at Healthy Christian Home Do you remember the fun of getting dressed up and putting on makeup before a date? Talking on the phone to your significant other for hours? Being excited about mundane activities like getting groceries or standing in line in the cafeteria, simply because you were together? When you’re dating and newly married, everything feels exciting. But inevitably, over the years this excitement begins to dwindle and is replaced with a feeling of familiarity. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing since it gives us a sense of security and steadiness in our relationship. But, it can tempt us to feel discontent as we look longingly at younger couples. It feels like a bad joke that after a few years of marriage, just learn more...
Time for a Much-Needed Date Night? Do These 6 Things.
Guest post by Lisa Yvonne at Graceful Abandon. I sat next to the man I'd been married to for nearly two decades, loading Netflix yet again. As I watched the red letters grow on the screen before our viewing history popped up, I wondered how we'd become that couple... ...that couple who equated date night with staring blindly at the screen instead of into each other's eyes. ...that couple who was so tired from living that they didn't have the energy to do anything extra to keep their marriage alive. ...that couple who had grown so comfortable with one another that they no longer enjoyed the slow simmer of anticipation leading up to being able to spend an evening together. And that's when it hit me: we needed to shake things up! It was time learn more...
How to Get Along with Difficult Family During the Holidays
Guest post by Mary at Healthychristianhome.com Stories of dealing with difficult family members are woven into the fabric of the Bible. Cain and Abel, anyone? Jealousy tore Joseph’s family apart and sought to ruin his life. And Jesus’ own brothers didn’t even believe in Him before the resurrection (John 7:5). It’s no different today. Conflict touches most families at one time or another. People often stay in their comfort zone and distance themselves from difficult family members throughout the year as a coping mechanism. But during the holidays, spending time with them is pretty much unavoidable. This is good, because it encourages us to deal with issues rather than run away from them. “But,” you might be thinking, “the holidays are supposed to be a time learn more...
4 Great Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress (These Really Work!)
Guest post by Mary at healthychristianhome.com “Not another holiday party,” I groan as I open our latest invitation. After the ornament swap, my introverted self would be tired and ready to hunker down with a cheesy Hallmark movie and a mug of cocoa. Instead, we are scheduled for an evening party just hours after the morning one ends. I feel less than jolly. And guilty. After all, these are Christian brothers and sisters I love spending time with. I should be happy! Can you relate? If you’re trying to conjure up holiday cheer to survive the constant hubbub of activity, this post is for you. Is it Wrong for Christians to Feel Stressed? I’m not a huge fan of Christian leaders telling people that faith eliminates stress altogether. Many authors and learn more...
