The editors at Thomas Nelson have gathered meaningful and heartwarming works of literature that celebrate the Christmas season and published them together in A Classic Christmas: A Collection of Timeless Stories and Poems. Authors like Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning often wrote about the spirit of Christmas and the grace and…
Blessings at Christmas
God had clearly spoken. “We can start trying to have kids!” Martin said later that night. “I know, it’s crazy, isn’t it? Just think, nine months from now our life could look very different!” I said. Nine months later, our life looked exactly the same. I hadn’t gotten pregnant and now the disappointment we felt…
It’s Never Too Late: Never Give Up
Lord, You have told me that if I have a need I should just ask it of You. There is never too great a task for You. So, Lord, now I’m asking You. — “All That I Need” by Kathie Lee Gifford With time and distance, and hopefully a dash of wisdom along the way,…
The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi: Beginning the Journey
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. — Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV Before I (Kathie Lee) began my new job as co-host of the fourth hour of The Today Show in 2008, I felt the Lord tugging at my spirit…
Here, Now: The Better Thing
There are no holier moments on earth than birth and death. But it’s the moments in between that make up a life. A whole God-given, genuine life. Each moment sows into the whole, slowly revealing who we become. But do we show up for them, really show up? Or do we categorize them as pleasant…
Forgiving God
Getting hurt by people is hard. Getting hurt by what God allows can feel unbearable. While I might phrase my disillusionment as a question of why or how, when I lay my head on my tear-soaked pillow, questions can turn into bitter feelings. I probably wouldn’t want to raise my hand at Bible study and…
Stop the Downward Spiral of Guilt and Shame
Shame, by formal definition, is a painful feeling of having lost the respect of others because of an improper behavior, sin, or label of incompetence. It arises from dishonor or disgrace stemming from something regrettable, unfortunate, or outrageous. Chronic Guilt and Shame Can Lead to Depression Our main reason to be concerned with guilt…
Real Over Pretty
Their joy will be in doing what’s right and being themselves, and not in being affirmed by. — Galatians 6:4 TPT JESUS WASN’T PRETTY I didn’t know until I was older that Jesus wasn’t a mirror image of that tall, dark, and handsome man with the well-groomed facial hair who hung on our family room…
I’m So Sensitive: Why “I’m Sorry” Is Essential
Most of us are initially defensive when we learn we have hurt someone. But I have begun to gauge the health of a friendship by how fast we are able to push past the situation, and own our stuff, in the context of conflict. As my girlfriends and I get healthier and come to trust…
Count Sheep: Routines for Deep Sleep
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. — Ralph Waldo…