Estudos Bíblicos

This is such an unprecedented time. In my work with kids, counseling in-person pre-Safer at Home and Shelter in Place orders and post-those same orders, things have changed quickly. We all know the things that have changed in terms of the social distancing, and many of us are familiar with the statistics on infection and loss. But what I’m seeing change are the internal worlds of kids, in light of this pandemic. How the Quarantine Affected Kids in the Beginning For younger kids and some adolescence, before the Safer at Home orders, I was seeing a spike in anxiety. And, with anxiety already at epidemic proportions itself in America where we were seeing one in child suffer from anxiety, with girls twice as likely—that’s saying a lot. Children were afraid of contracting the virus themselves—o...

Point #2: Why We Run to Idols Slide 2 of 5 Why the allure with idols? In our present fallen state, we tend to prefer things we can see and control over the One whom we cannot see or control. Further, idols offer immediate relief from whatever discomfort or pain we are facing. Although God does promise to heal and comfort us, the timeline for that is often not immediate. Finally, some idols hold such power over us because of the affirmation that comes with them. By contrast, idols such as alcohol and pornography carry social stigmas. But what about working long hours at the job? Or getting pumped at the gym? Addiction to work or exercise often bring initial praise from colleagues or friends. But that only makes those idols more seductive. As long as the idol keeps giving us some immedi...

Some of us have been navigating the waters of long-distance grandparenting for many years. Others, thanks to COVID-19, have more recently been plunged into its waters. Either way, this leaves us all asking questions about how to connect with our grandchildren. First, from a long-distance grandma who’s been at it for over fifteen years, please let me reassure you that connecting with grandchildren no matter the physical distance is possible. Yes, feeling connected to your grandchildren when you can’t simply reach out and touch them does take some work, but it is not impossible. Consider these 4 creative ways to connect with your grandchildren during COVID-19. 1. Snail Mail Send handwritten letters and cards Write your grandchildren regularly. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy letter (although...

Psalm 103: He Renews and Redeems Our Lives Slide 7 of 7 From Psalm 103 - There’s great power in choosing to set our hearts and minds on Christ; offering Him praise for who He is and the way He’s at work in our lives. He forgives our sins. He heals our diseases. He redeems our lives from the pit. He crowns us with love and compassion. He satisfies us with good things and renews us. He is compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love. Remembering God’s promises, and choosing to praise Him and trust His Sovereignty, is the first step towards finding hope in your day: "Praise the Lord, O my soul… who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your life with good things so that your youth is ren...

Eighteen years ago this November, Daddy died. And for 40 years prior to his death, I was unsure of his salvation. He never opened his Bible, never set foot in a church, and he could be cantankerous. He lived with us two years before his death and my heart yearned to know if my daddy had truly given his heart to Jesus. A week before his death, I gathered the courage to ask, “Daddy, are you afraid to die?” He snorted and grumbled, “Of course not.” I plunged on. “You do know if you’re a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, He will send His angels to carry you over to the other side?” He looked at me with that you’re-about-to-stomp-on-my-last-nerve expression. “Well, I’m just layin’ here a waitin’ and a wavin’.” He rolled over, done with our conversation. But my heart contorted—“waitin’ and a w...