Differences – Straight Up: Messy Truth

The blessing is the payback

on April 26, 2021April 25, 2021 By January

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 1 Peter 3:9, NLT Hurt. We have all experienced it. We have all had people hurt us-whether intentionally or [...]

Enough

on April 7, 2015April 7, 2015 By January 1 Comment

Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 My name is January. I am an approval addict. I want to be liked. I want to be [...]

My Father Told Me So

on February 4, 2015February 4, 2015 By January 2 Comments

How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Song of Songs 1:5 "Mommy, what's wrong with your hair? You look like a poodle." I had been coveting a short haircut for many years, always scared that the curls which adorned my head would make that impossible. That those curls would make me resemble a 30 [...]

For He Has Taught Me More

on November 23, 2014November 23, 2014 By January

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. James 1:17 "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" I hear the screams in the wee hours of the morning. The screams that have woken me from a state of sleep I seemed to have just [...]

Let’s Be Honest…I Walk Through the Desert, Too

on November 17, 2014November 17, 2014 By January 2 Comments

Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. Ephesians 4:25 Transparency. It is something I have come to appreciate. The art of showing emotion, letting others in on what is going on in life. Not hiding behind a smile. Not painting on a happy face. Not denying [...]

Every Single Strand

on October 7, 2014October 7, 2014 By January 2 Comments

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30 It is no secret that our home has been a breeding ground for one "learning" experience after another. So, it is no surprise that our home would start to breed other things as well. Like…lice. Yes, I know. Yuck. Gross. My thoughts exactly! [...]

What Happened to Compassion?

on August 19, 2014August 19, 2014 By January 2 Comments

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 1 Peter 3:8It was bound to happen again eventually. We just didn't think it would happen the second week of school. A substitute bus driver is usually no [...]

Different, Yet the Same

on November 21, 2013November 18, 2013 By January 1 Comment

I want you to take a look at the two rocks in the picture above. Notice the one on the right is smooth, shiny, easy to hold, and without sharp edges. To some, this rock may be more attractive. The rock on the left, however, is jagged. It's rough. It's edges are not smooth, but [...]