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Platelets: The New Pink

Chris Alexander
18 Oct 2016
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  It’s pink season again. With October being the official breast cancer awareness month, the color pink is in full bloom. But what does wearing pink have to do with curing breast cancer? For some, it is a reminder to have a breast exam for early cancer detection. For others, it is the time to make that donation or raise money to fund cancer research. This is worthwhile, as many of us know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and we pray that these funds can help our loved ones now. Unfortunately, for many of these cancer patients […]

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I Love Me… I Love Me Not

Patricia Hartman
8 Oct 2016
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“I, Nadine, promise to enjoy inhabiting my own life and to relish a lifelong love affair with my beautiful self,” Nadine Schweigert vowed. That’s right – she married herself. With all the talk about same-sex marriage, polygamy, incest, polyamorous relationships of various kinds, it’s not surprising to find that there is also a practice called sologamy. What is Sologamy? It is the act of marrying yourself with a commitment to self-love and self-compassion. It’s also known as “same-self marriage.”   Is this related to the celibacy encouraged in the Bible? In 1 Corinthians 7:6-8, Paul describes singleness as a gift […]

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That’s A Sorry Excuse!

Patricia Hartman
15 Sep 2016
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  Have you tried to apologize, but your spouse won’t accept it? Has your spouse apologized, and you don’t believe he/she is sincere? You are not alone.   What happens when an apology is not offered, appropriate or accepted? Whatever the root of the offense, it sits in the middle of your marriage keeping you from harmony. A wall starts to form, built with blocks from every unreconciled past offense. A pattern of language forms and becomes part of your marriage dance. When you consider that God calls you to become one flesh (Genesis 2:24), this wall is not only […]

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Overcoming the Challenges of Step Parenting

Linda Nunez
13 Sep 2016
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  Being a step-parent is very sacrificial and requires a thick skin to roll with the punches that come with the role. I always tell my friends who are dating a person with kids that step parenting can be extra hard work. Marriage is hard enough alone, so imagine adding kids, exes and brokenness into the mix! Many couples step into to a blended family ill-equipped with blinders on and unrealistic expectations about what this intricate process needs. Like me, many think they will beat the stigma of the evil stepmom Disney has unfurled and magically swoosh her new family […]

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Connecting with Smartphone Obsessed Kids

Maritza Cosano
2 Aug 2016
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75,400,000 — That’s quite a significant number. It represents the total population of millennials — those people born between 1983 and 2000s — dubbed “the smartphone generation.” The largest generation in the United States, this population is certainly different from any other, as they are digital natives. They witnessed the explosive growth of the Internet and were brought up completely immersed in it. It is what shaped their always connected, tech savvy and digitally infused lifestyles. Now parents are frustrated with the smartphone generation, as they cannot come to terms with today’s 24/7 digital world and their kids’ obsession with […]

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Factors Impacting Rising Stress Levels

Andrea Goff
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“God does not give you more to do in one day than you can achieve.” I recently heard this quote and have to confess that there are times when I am guilty of adding far more to my schedule than my regular daily responsibilities and the marching orders God gives me in the morning. Overloading can quickly result in a stressful day, and instead of enjoying the 24 hours provided, I can find myself under pressure and missing out on the simple joys of life. Stress is defined as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from […]

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Benevolence and Justice

Jeff Masters
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How do you respond when you see the person walking the street between waiting cars with his sign stating: Will work for food… but he is seeking handouts? What are your thoughts towards the single mom or widow who comes to church to ask for financial aid? In Thessalonians 3:10 the early apostles did not want to be a burden to anyone, and they gave this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” But Matthew 5:42 tells us to “Give to anyone who asks you, and do not turn away.” Finally we have heard: “Don’t throw […]

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Back to School Tips from a Teacher

Linda Nunez
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The first day of school is fast approaching, and for most kids this day is full of excitement and new everything. For first timers though, (like kindergarteners or kids attending a completely new school) the first day of school can be more stressful than thrilling. But what about us parents? We also get nervous on the first day of school. I must admit that I definitely get a little anxious. With a five-year-old entering kindergarten and stepkids going into 5th and 12th grade, I worry if my kids will like their new teacher and classmates; if their school is safe […]

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Getting Fit with Kids

Linda Nunez
1 Jul 2016
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I gained well over 60 pounds during my pregnancy with my daughter. I stopped weighing myself after I surpassed my husband’s weight.  As an avid athlete before my pregnancy, I was very eager to lose that weight once I got the green light to exercise by my doctor. To my surprise, I hit a brick wall when I realized that spending two hours in the gym was no longer an option. No one tells you that working out after childbirth can be very difficult, and sometimes, non-existent — especially for working moms. Between work, meetings, house chores, daycare/school needs and […]

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Micronutrient Deficiencies May Be Dragging You Down

Andrea Goff
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We all dream of growing old with vibrant energy and health. John 10:10 tells us that he came that we may have life and have it abundantly. Sadly some Christians feel as if they are barely keeping their heads above water, with very low energy levels and struggles with sleep disorders or anxiety and depression. These symptoms may be an indication of inadequate nutrition. University research shows that 50 percent of people taking multivitamins are nutritionally deficient, despite supplementation. Micronutrient deficiencies have been linked to inflammation and chronic disease, which affects the mental and physical health of an individual as […]

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