Short Bursts of Encouragement
Your Groanings Are Heard #shortburstsofencouragement
My weary body screamed for rest, but here in front of me sat my son, recently back from his first semester of college. He wanted to talk into the early morning hours; I wanted to sleep. But there was no way I was going to pass up this opportunity to connect. My son wanted my…
When the New Year Doesn’t Seem So Fresh and New
The New Year has launched, last year has faded: things undone and mistakes made are left in the past. Each one buried under fresh grace. Redo Oh, the glory of the redo! This year dawns bright and promising. Each moment is waiting to be filled with steps of love and beauty, peace and purpose. Yet the…
That Silent Night: Perhaps It Was Not So Silent (song of joy) #shortburstsofencouragement
Perhaps it is the opening stanzas of “Silent Night”: Silent night, Holy night, All is calm, all is bright; maybe it is merely tradition. Whatever it is, we usually think of the Savior’s birth as one of peace and calm and relative quiet. Peace as in the peace that comes from trusting God, certainly; calm in the…
In the Beginning … and Always: Light and Life #shortburstsofencouragement
“In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1). But interestingly, in the beginning, darkness also existed: “in the beginning … the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths” (Genesis 1:2a). But glory, that’s not all! The Creator and Essence of Light (the Spirit of God) hovered above that darkness (Genesis 1:2b). …
Books that Matter for Advent #shortburstsofencouragement
I didn’t go shopping on Black Friday nor did I do much on Cyber Monday, but I do appreciate good deals. And as Christmas approaches, I especially enjoy finding discounts on books and other items that help me focus on the gift of Jesus. Few things I like better than curling up on a cold winter evening…
Give Thanks in the Mess: Happy Thanksgiving! #shortburstsofencouragement
I’ve had times when “I can’t see the forest for the trees.” I get too caught up in the minor details and miss the main point. Yet perhaps more often, I experience the opposite. In the midst of getting through a tough or rushed day, I tend to only notice the forest (and an overgrown one at that) and miss…
A Thanksgiving Tree: Because Being Grateful Is That Important
For years I never knew what to do for Thanksgiving decorations. The cheesy turkey candle on the window sill and maybe a couple gourds gracing the hutch was about as good as it got. It’s not that I didn’t like Thanksgiving or think it was important. I just didn’t know what to do for memorable…
A Poem of Praise (printable) #shortburstsofencouragement
Okay, my dear readers, confession time. I am not a poet. That being said, here is a poem of praise from my heart. Save it. Print it out. It’s my gift to you if it echos the cry of your heart. If not, consider writing your own. Father God, I love You so; You care for…
10 Ways to Positively Influence #shortburstsofencouragement
Water leaves marks on the land. It carves grooves and stains rock. People leave marks on each other. We influence souls and shape hearts. Our marks on others can be beneficial or detrimental, positive or negative. You and I, we have a choice. What will your mark be? Be reminded daily of how to positively influence others, download,…
When Love Is Hard, Love Anyway [Short Bursts of Encouragement]
I need to love… I need to love… I need to love… The chant continued as I argued with myself and God. “But this person doesn’t deserve my love.” “My heart isn’t there; it’d be a lie.” It’s not the first time I needed to remind myself to love someone. It likely won’t be the last. When…
Hello, I'm Julie, an imperfect wife and mother of four. Life in this broken world is not always easy. Yet, joy can be found in each day through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I find it's easy for our day's blessings to get lost in its happenings. But God's "mercies never end" (Lamentations 3:22) and His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
May the posts and pages on this site offer you a measure of peace and encouragement.
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