Watch Out for Sparks

We live on a few heavily wooded acres that I call the Magic Forest. Part of life here involves picking up fallen sticks and eventually burning them. We’d hesitated to do anything with this year’s stack for fear that sparks might spread through the woods.

What made this year different, you ask? Well, conditions changed. A 100-year-old pine tree died suddenly on the edge of the clearing where we burn becoming a fire hazard. To be safe, we had a tree company out recently to remove it.     

Did you know that wildfires have already damaged nearly 1.9 million acres in America so far this year? Fire moves quickly and spreads rapidly anywhere conditions are hot, dry, and brittle, be it in forest, in grasses, or in human hearts...Read More

 

Use Gratitude to Combat Stress

Feeling stressed?

In the Psalms, we repeatedly see signs of David’s grateful heart. It was this perspective that allowed him to persevere in his many times of trouble and to accomplish wonderful things for the kingdom of God. Adopting an attitude of gratitude in the midst of ...Read More

How to Live in the Midst of the Storm

Most of you, like me and my family, are experiencing an unprecedented storm, one filled with uncertainty and fear. We didn’t expect it, may have been ill-prepared for it, and certainly don’t know when it will all end.

It brings to mind another group of people who, too, were caught up in a sudden and dreadful storm, not a COVID-19 storm but... READ MORE .

Wisdom First

If you want a truly successful life, seek wisdom before you act. Just because something seems right to you, doesn’t mean it’s always the right thing to do. Proverbs 14:12 makes it clear that a way that seems right to a person can instead lead to death, a death that includes relationships, finances, and even dreams. Before you take action, consider: 

• What does God say about it?
• What do wise counselors say about it?

If you don’t have counselors, seek them out. But use caution, simply because they have an opinion doesn’t mean they’re wise. A wise counselor is someone trained, or more experienced than you, whose own life reflects right choices. 

If your wise counselors are against it, wait to take action and thoughtfully consider their advice.

If God is against it, simply don’t do it. 

The more important the issue at hand, the more important it is to seek wisdom. Ultimately the decision is always yours, but remember, so too are the consequences. 

Walk in wisdom today, my friend. 

Ann 

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Does an Inner Circle Matter?

Have you ever stopped to consider the impact a group, whether it’s just a few people or a large number, can have on the individuals within it? Peer pressure is just one example of the influence groups have on behavior. We’ve all witnessed it up close—my apologies to the owner of the house I helped cover in toilet paper back in high school—but the influence of others on our lives extends far beyond just temporary actions.

There is actually a science to group behavior that’s studied by social psychologists. It reveals predictable patterns in the way other people influence our attitudes and actions. Certain types of personalities are more easily influenced, but we’re all affected to various degrees.

Research shows that over time we become the average of the five people we associate with the most. We begin to model those around us as a natural result of group dynamics, and the more time spent together the greater the impact on our lives. While we often see the end result of its negative impact in news stories and on our criminal justice system, the same power can be harnassed for good.

Who you spend your time and energy with is crucial to your life’s trajectory. If your desire is to be successful, surround yourself with hardworking, determined people. If you want to grow more Christlike, spend time with passionate people of faith. If you value financial stability, seek out fiscally responsible people. If you want to live a life of positivity, avoid negative, fault-finding complainers.

This doesn’t mean you should never associate with your existing friends or family group if they don’t match your goals and values. What it means is that you intentionally walk through life with people who are already headed in the direction you want to go.

When it comes to daily life you should love everyone, but choose your inner circle with great care. They should inspire the best version of yourself, not the basest.

Be blessed my friend,

Ann Wilds

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13:20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God Cares When You’re Hurting

Recently I witnessed a beautiful sight as God spoke life in the midst of the ordinary. He knew that His daughter was going through a difficult time, and used a stranger to buy her lunch and leave a love-note from Him. It wasn’t much, but in that moment it was everything to her.

In difficult times we sometimes forget, and can even doubt, that He sees or cares what we’re going through. If that’s you today be encouraged. He saw her and He sees you, no matter where you are, even in a fast food drive-thru line.

He knows and understands the present difficulty you’re going through and feels your pain. Jesus has already walked the path before you and walks it now beside you. He is with you in your hurting. He is with you in the trenches. And He is with you in the fight. You. Are. Not. Alone.

Be blessed my friend,
Ann

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
(‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬)

Life in the Potter's Hands

When my daughter was little we often played with modeling clay. I loved its silky texture in my fingers, soft and malleable just waiting for us to craft it into…well, more. At times the clay was hard and stiff when we first unwrapped it and we’d have to push and pull, and poke and prod it, before it was useful. In our hands, it would eventually transform back into something soft and supple. Now we could begin to work with it, forming shapes, cutting off a bit here, carving other bits there, until it finally looked like we intended, or at least it was a rough approximation to it. Nothing we made would sell as fine art, but still I keep two of our creations on my window sill, smiling when I see them from the sweet memory of times gone by.

Sometimes though, we’d grow bored and put it aside before creating anything, but a real potter won’t leave a lump of clay partially formed. With care, he molds it with his hands, pinching and pressing it until it takes the shape necessary to fulfill its intended purpose. Maybe it will be an elaborate sculpture or perhaps just a simple pitcher, but either way it’s only while the clay is pliable that it can be made into something more.

We live in a fallen world. People do horrible things to one another. Natural disasters, disease, and death abound. But don’t allow the sorrows of this life to harden you.

Instead of asking “Why me?” when troubles come, and they will come, consider asking “How can this be used to glorify you, God?”

When you remain yielded, He will mold every tear, every wound, and every heartache into beauty and purpose in your life. Your Potter is always working to mold you into so much more.

 – Ann Wilds

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

(Phil 1:6)