My church is currently doing a series called “What Happy Couples Know.” At first I was discouraged; after all, I’ve been single for nine years now. I don’t have any prospects of a relationship or marriage. I’m not saying that door is closed, but at this moment I’m seeking happiness as a single Christian woman approaching 50. I’m seeking to …
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I love freedom coaching because I get to help people process their own responses to outside stressors and learn to be the person God created them to be. I find this topic … learning to reconcile well, is key to having healthy relationships. We aren’t taught how to do this in school and we often learn bad habits from our …
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Busyness and chaos only began to describe the week I’d been having, not to mention a lingering sinus infection. Relaxing and reconnecting with God were a couple of my top priorities for the weekend. I showed up to my scheduled massage appointment, anticipating an hour of relaxation and relief. About 10 minutes into the massage, I had a flash of …
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Spiritual growth is something to strive for as we grow in our relationship with the Lord. But what about betrayal? Betrayal is the ultimate act of mistrust and breach of faith in someone or something. Is it necessary for spiritual growth? The most obvious betrayal in Scripture was when Judas handed Jesus over to the authorities. He was one of …
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Recently, I said something I thought was innocuous to a good friend. I didn’t know how bothered she was about it until two days later, when she texted, then called me to talk about it. She was upset, but remained appropriate as she shared her side. I listened intently to hear her heart, then asked her to forgive me. Later …
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This is part two of how to reconcile well. In part one, I shared how the enemy uses our desire for reconciliation or our avoidance of it against us. Reconciliation is a gift we’ve been given to exercise. Because without it we’d either be handling conflict in our own strength or not handling it at all. Since all gifts are …
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God said to my heart, “You have the gift of reconciliation.” When that was spoken, I didn’t understand it. I knew that Jesus died to reconcile us to God, but what did that have to do with me? I’ve always been the kind of person who is distracted to the point of immobility when there is an unreconciled conflict. I …
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Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. –Luke 6:37 (NIV) While driving to church one Sunday morning, I noticed several signs warned of road improvements up ahead. That specific roadway was heavily traveled and in desperate need of repair. But after clunking …
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So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. –Mark 15:1b Jesus — the Creator of everything — being bound. When I read the story of Jesus’ arrest before His crucifixion, the words “they bound Jesus” jump off the page. Think about this: According to the first few verses in John chapter 1, nothing exists …
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I’ve burned my skin several times this year. Each time was a result of poor judgment and a good dose of stupidity. The first burn happened while I was making soup. The base begins with warming olive oil in a pan with herbs and then adding sausage creating a beautiful aroma. In error, I should’ve thawed the sausage entirely instead …
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Single Matters Magazine with Jill Monaco Ministries Christian singles discuss the matters of life, relationships, singleness and faith
