I spent the majority of high school and half of college hopelessly depressed. Seriously. It wasn't pretty. I cried my way through classes... I cried at work. I got sent to counselors, who didn't know what to do with me so they sent me to more counselors... Nothing really helped. I developed an eating disorder. I prayed that God would just kill me, because I was just done. (Obviously, He didn't) I knew I was depressed, but I didn't know what to do about it. I didn't know where to turn or how to get better. So I was just kind of "stuck"... for a long time.   Now, before we go any further, let me just state that I am NOT a mental health professional--I'm a Christian blogger. And if you feel now the way that I did then, please talk to someone way more qualified than me. learn more...

Guest Post by Gina of GinaMPoirier.com In an ideal world, I wake up after 8 ½ hours of sleep each morning before anyone else is stirring, stroll out to my kitchen and patiently brew a pot of coffee. I sit out on my back deck with my Bible in my lap or go for a walk, enjoying the picture-perfect day. I praise God for the wonders of creation, feel joyful in his presence and faithfully present my requests to him in prayer. Then I welcome the rest of my family to the day, lead my kids through a peaceful morning routine and pretty much knock the socks off the rest of my day, like any Christian supermom should. It’s a nice picture, isn’t it? Take a moment and indulge in this fantasy with me.   Now let’s get real. Does the following sound familiar? I roll out of bed learn more...

Do you ever look around, see other women being awesome, and feel like you're not good enough or that you don't measure up?  Maybe it's the fit mom -- the one constantly posting her work-out videos and hot gym selfies on Instagram. She has kids climbing all over her, but that doesn't stop her! She's a beast in the best way, while your body's basically a lumpy, dumpy mess. Maybe it's the class mom at your kids' school. She volunteers for everything, her cupcakes are always Pinterest-perfect works of art, and she always looks like the cover of a magazine. Meanwhile, your shirt passed the sniff test this morning. Barely. Or maybe it's the friend who constantly posts pictures of her nice house and fancy vacations all over Facebook. You know you shouldn't be jealous, but it's hard not learn more...

When you think of growing in faith, what words come to mind? Words like important, routine and should? Or words like fun, interesting, exciting, or creative...?  Now, don't get me wrong. Growing in faith IS incredibly important. It is something we should do. BUT there's no reason why we can't have a lot of fun with it too!    The truth is, if you are only reading your Bible out of habit or obligation, it's way too easy to let it become stale and stagnant. It gets boring... routine... blah... And that's not what any of us wants! Would you like to add a bit of fun, excitement and creativity into your Bible reading time? If so, the 2018 FREE Flourish Bible Journaling Conference is just the thing for you (And it's free!) Read on to learn more...   * This learn more...

As Christians we have a responsibility to trade in satan's lies for God's truth. Here's how to take every thought captive for Christ so you can do just that! Do you ever find yourself thinking thoughts you know aren't true, but you feel like they're true, or you feel like you can't help yourself? » For example, maybe you're a chronic worrier. You rarely let your children out of your sight, and you're always giving them tons of rules and reminders to keep them safe. No running in the house! No jumping off the deck! No food unless I'm there to watch you! » Maybe you have terrible self-esteem. You know the Bible says God loves you, but you don't see how He could. You're fat, you're ugly, you're too old, you're stupid, you've messed up too many times... You feel like a failure. You learn more...

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to reach for your phone all day long, but when it comes to reaching for your Bible... you don't seem to get around to it nearly so often? Sure, you say that reading your Bible is important. And you truly believe that it is. But it isn't your Bible you find yourself reaching for as soon as you wake up in the morning, last thing before you go to bed at night, or multiple times a day when you have a few minutes to spare... It's your phone.   Now, if this is true for you, don't feel judged. I totally do the same thing. And sure, I could blame it on lots of things. The fact that I work online... the fact that I want my phone nearby in case of emergency... the fact that sometimes I just need a break during the day and my phone is always so learn more...