I am sometimes a rule breaker or a rule ignorer. I choose to ignore certain rules, not out of defiance but out of necessity.

The things celebrities demand while they are on tour span the spectrum from nutty to notorious

Like customers ordering from a menu or selecting a snack from a vending machine, some people use similar methods to choose a religion.

Since children possess the uncanny ability to take the simplest name and concoct an unflattering version, my husband and I gave much thought to what we named our children.

As wives, the importance of encouragement, respect and support for the men we love should be paramount. Equally important is reminding them how much we love and need them.

I am sure that during our childhood, our parents wondered if my brother and I would ever love each other—let alone be friends.

Whenever I catch a glimpse of a personalized plate, the game is to try and solve the letter puzzle before the car speeds out of view

In moments that seem overwhelming, we must remember that God loves us and is walking by our side every step of the way. He promises to never give us more than we can handle.

While many of us desire to be great wives and mothers, we often squelch our talents and gifts by assuming it is selfish to use them to benefit ourselves and others.

What is causing your grief or heartache? Whatever the situation, you can always find a bright ray of hope in the form of God's great faithfulness and unfailing compassion toward His people.

As we commit each day to the Lord through prayer, He helps us order our steps. Some things are necessary and some things can wait, and we need His guidance and discernment to know the difference.

One of the powerful lessons we learn from Job is that we cannot understand God's ways.

When God put Esther in a place of honor, she was a long way from her humble beginnings as a young Jewish girl, but she chose to step out of her comfort zone and take a risk on behalf of her people.

We need to know what we believe and live it out. We do that by studying God's Word, meditating on it, and obeying it. Then, as we gain a good foothold, we're able to turn and help others who are struggling in their faith.

Daniel was courageous, wise, righteous and godly. He stood by his convictions, and he lived his life in a way that pointed others to God. What was his secret?

We all need reassurance at times, don't we? Whether we're going through a long-term challenge or a short-term frustration, there is tremendous comfort in knowing that God has a bigger plan--and a good plan--in mind.

Worn out? Exhausted? Feel like you can't go on? Join the club. Thankfully, the Lord sees and understands our situation.

As positive Christian women, let's enjoy sex as God truly meant it to be--a beautiful bonding, both physically and emotionally, between a man and a woman who have committed themselves to one another for life through marriage.

"A time for everything" seems like a simple concept. But it's not so simple when it comes to the family calendar. It's amazing how quickly we fill up our time with so many different activities.

"I just can't handle it!" I'm guessing you've said these words at some point in your life. I know I have.

Have you ever lost hope? Have you ever come to a point where you thought the circumstances or relationships in your life were so broken that they could never be restored?

What battles are you facing? You probably don't have a large army lined up against you, but I'm guessing you have some battles in your life. We all do.

We may think we have little to offer. But God can take our simple love, faith and obedience, and multiply it into significant blessing for our homes.

It’s easy to pour out our needs to the Lord; thanksgiving and praise don’t always flow as vibrantly.

Now and then it’s healthy for us to do a loyalty self-check.

God isn’t looking for supermoms who can do it all on their own. He is looking for moms who will look to Him for guidance, wisdom, direction and strength.

If you’re like me, sometimes you don’t feel “strong and courageous.” Worries and fears creep in and take the place of strength and peace.

Aren’t you blessed to know that the powerful God of all Creation, the God who made you, faithfully loves you each and every day?

It’s easy for us, as moms, to complain about people or circumstances. But have you ever viewed your complaining and whining as a lack of trust in God’s provision?

As Christians, we are under grace, thanks to Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross for us. As recipients of God’s glorious grace, then, we ought to be showering grace on others in turn. And what does grace toward others look like?

It’s so easy for us, like Moses, to focus on what we can’t do—or perhaps don’t want to do. Over time those negatives can grow into mountains of worry, concern and confinement.

Think about it: we are created in the image of almighty God! Perhaps you don’t feel so God-like all the time. Me neither.

As moms we can get so caught up in trying to please others that we end up failing everybody. Often we feel paralyzed, not knowing who to listen to.

When we feel hurt, the first thing we want is to be comforted. But in some cases we need to think twice before we pour out our anger and hurt to a friend, especially if another friend is the cause of our pain.

The difficult circumstances you’re facing right now are an opportunity for you to show God how much you trust Him.

It starts with a little dig or a nasty remark or an accusation. At that moment, each of us has a choice.

If we decide not to acknowledge the desperate needs around the globe, what we choose not to know will eventually hurt us.

As moms we want to do the best we can at the responsibilities God has entrusted to us.

We may think we’re getting away with sin, but we never really do.

I hate the word budget, don’t you? I know a budget is important and, ultimately, a good thing. But I’d still rather not have to think about how much money I do or don’t have.

We have a saying in our house: “Just let it go.” Usually it’s directed toward siblings in conflict, but I find myself needing to heed this advice just as often.

Why do we keep making the same mistakes? We promise ourselves we’ll do better next time. We vow to overcome. We try as hard as we can . . . only to eventually fall again.

As moms we put in long, exhausting hours, and the result is that we get to enjoy the richness of a loving family in a peaceful home with happy kids.

It’s human nature to want revenge. Yet God tells us not to seek revenge.

I like to define integrity as living your life as though no one but God was watching.

What can we do when we’re caught in a situation where gossip is being handed to us? First, we can try to graciously change the subject or turn a conversation headed in a negative direction around with a positive spin. For example, if

As moms were so busy taking care of our families needs that it’s easy to look past the needs of people outside that circle.

A lack of self-control can rob and defeat any life.

Most of us can admit we aren’t perfect. So why are we surprised when we go through difficult circumstances?

Moms are powerful! We wield quite a bit of influence, not only by virtue of our position, but also by the depth of understanding and love we have for our families.

It would be great to leave our children a large inheritance. Hey, it would be nice simply to save enough to pay for their college education.

You may have a great idea or know exactly how to accomplish something or have it all figured out. Or you could just be wrong and not be able to see it. As moms we’ve learned to be master problem solvers; but as capable as we are, we can’t know everything all the time.

Balance, balance, balance.

Have you ever said to yourself, “When will I ever learn just to keep my mouth shut?!”

Have you ever noticed that when you’re upset or anxious, your stomach gets all tied up in knots, and the last thing you feel like doing is eating?

It’s much easier to shape and mold a young child than it is to try to retrain a teenager.

Remember, God does not communicate in a mystical voice. Rather, He speaks as a natural part of the relationship He has with His children.

Does your life get easier after you accept Jesus as your personal Savior?

In the Gospels, Jesus tells us to be careful how we talk about others. In Matthew, in fact, He links anger and name-calling to murder.

Last week I spent time talking with a single friend of mine. She is in love with a talented and sensitive man who, for years, lived alone in the mountains of the Philippines caring for the very poor. Now he is getting his doctorate at a school in Manila. His exposure to different people and faiths has led him to believe that Christianity works for some, but doesn’t work for everyone.

Remember the television series “Mission: Impossible”? It started with these words: “Your mission, should you decide to accept it….” The message would then continue, assigning to the hero a task of gigantic proportions.

Forgiveness is not something we do only once. It is something we learn to do as we walk with Christ.

Our youngest son was diagnosed with cancer when he was 14. I couldn’t believe my precious child was so sick. I sat through his medical examinations as if I were in a dream.

Have you ever listened to your teenager and wondered, “Where did my sweet little child go?” Have you tried to have a real conversation with your teenage son or daughter and given it up as hopeless?

I love people with a sense of humor, who love to laugh! Do you?

If we believe God is in control of everything, we must accept that He allows pain to enter our lives. When it does, we have a choice. We can either overcome the pain, or we can be overcome by it.

Do you want your children to talk to you and tell you what is in their heart? I do, but sometimes my mouth gets in the way.

I hate to say this, but I usually form an opinion about whether or not I like someone after meeting them the first time. I am open to changing this first impression, but I find that it is often correct.

When your child comes to you with a problem, do you fix it or do you show him or her how to fix it?

It is always hard for me to go to parties. It is especially hard for me to be in a large group made up of people I have not met or people I do not know well.

Who is supposed to teach your children about God? Who is supposed to teach your children right from wrong? Who is supposed to teach your children who God is?