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  • How to Have a Peaceful Heart in a Busy Season

    How to Have a Peaceful Heart in a Busy Season
    2025/11/30
    The fall-to-winter season can feel overwhelming, with demands from work, family, and holiday preparations stacking up quickly. Psalm 127:1-2 reminds us that anything built without God’s guidance is in vain and that true rest is a gift from Him. By intentionally seeking His direction, setting boundaries, and taking meaningful breaks, we can cultivate a peaceful heart even in the busiest months of the year. Highlights God calls us to involve Him in all our work; without Him, our efforts are “in vain” (Psalm 127:1). Seek His guidance early, not just when life becomes overwhelming. Establish clear personal and professional boundaries to prevent burnout. Take intentional breaks during the busy season to rest, reflect, and refocus on God. Align your work and daily routines with God’s purposes to find true peace amidst busyness. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: How to Have a Peaceful Heart in a Busy Season By Aaron D’Anthony Brown Bible Reading:“Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food — yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves.” (Psalm 127:1-2, CSB) There’s something about the months of September to December that just seem to fly by. Blame the anxiety of school starting or the anticipation of Christmas, but something about the fall-to-winter season makes time seem to fast-forward for everybody! What is also true is that this time of year often brings out the worst in us busybodies, and the usually not-so-busybodies. We toil day and night performing favors, working longer hours for more money, stressing out about getting the right gifts or preparing the right food. We want everything to go right, while at the same time, neglecting our faith, health, and overall well-being. Don’t get me wrong. Work can be useful. Work is a venue for honoring God, serving others, distracting us from sin, and accomplishing good in the world. Faith without works is dead after all (James 2:14-17). That being said, while keeping ourselves busy with work can be productive, there’s an emphasis on can. Are we wise enough to know when work turns from a benefit to a disadvantage? If we’re being honest, usually not. The work we do, whatever that work is, should honor God. As Scripture tells us, anything we build without the Lord is built “in vain.” If we’re going about our busy season and have lost all semblance of peace, then we need to take a step back. Chances are, we’re not honoring God, and much of what we do is being done in vain. Intersecting Faith & Life: If you’re the sort of busybody that gets bogged down somewhere between September and December or all of it, then know you don’t have to stay as you are. You’re not stuck in endless toil and unrest. In fact, there are a few ways to ensure you have a peaceful heart during a busy season: Seek direction from the Lord. Scripture makes clear that we ought to seek God in all that we do. Whatever is done without Him is done “in vain.” We understand this when our backs are against the wall or we hit rock bottom. Then we want nothing but the Lord. However, when life is swell, work doesn’t feel so bad. Rather than wait for the craziness to eat the fan, seek God well in advance. Ask Him for what’s appropriate to do and how to best honor Him. Yes, God enjoys productivity, but putting our work above all else is sinful. Yes, God wants us to serve others, but He doesn’t want us to become so exhausted that we are bitter and angry toward those we wish to serve. By seeking God first, we’ll know how much busyness is good. We’ll have the wisdom to know what to do and how to do it. This will help with time management, navigating relationships, keeping our eyes on Jesus, and so much more. Set boundaries with yourself and others. Sometimes we overextend because we don’t know our limitations, and those who request of us don’t know our limitations either. If you want to find peace amidst busyness, you must set boundaries. That means setting aside time for work and rest, a time to spend in solitude with God, and a time to be among people. If you’re unsure what boundaries should look like, consider consulting someone who practices good boundaries. You may think having limits will hurt you during the busy season. On the contrary, the more rest you have and the better your performance, because you have more energy and mental clarity. Take a break from your toils. You ...
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    7 分
  • Preparing Our Hearts and Homes for Advent

    Preparing Our Hearts and Homes for Advent
    2025/11/29
    Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas—it’s a season of spiritual preparation, reflection, and anticipation for the coming of Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 reminds us of the promise of a Savior, calling Him Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. By intentionally preparing our hearts and homes, we can embrace the joy, hope, and light of Christ, creating meaningful family traditions that honor His arrival and cultivate a posture of worship. Highlights Advent is derived from the Latin word for “coming” and lasts four weeks, focusing on Christ’s first and second comings. Attend special Advent services to reflect, pray, and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Use an Advent calendar to daily engage with Scripture, small treats, or family moments that highlight Christ’s arrival. Light an Advent wreath weekly to symbolize expectation, reflection, and Christ as the light of the world (John 8:12). Create visual reminders like Advent chains or prepare a manger to help children and families anticipate Christ’s birth. Share the story of Jesus with others each week, following the example of the shepherds in Luke 2:17-18. Advent encourages both personal reflection and communal celebration, fostering gratitude, faith, and joyful expectation. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Preparing Our Hearts and Homes for Advent By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—Isaiah 9:6 Preparing a home for the arrival of a new baby is a busy time, full of choosing clothes, bedding, accessories, and more. It’s an exciting time of getting everything ready and waiting for the day to come. It’s a time when families and friends come together to help prepare and celebrate the coming birth. As well, during the Advent season, we can remember, prepare, and celebrate anew the coming of Jesus as a newborn baby into our world. Some Christians may ask, what is Advent? Even though I grew up as a pastor’s daughter, we didn’t really emphasize Advent; it was something celebrated in more liturgical churches like Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran, so we didn’t really learn or practice the observance growing up. The word Advent is derived from the Latin word “coming” and is a time of anticipation, prayer, spiritual reflection, and preparation for the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. Advent traditionally starts four weeks before Christmas, beginning on the Sunday closest to November 30 and ending on Christmas Eve. Yet, it’s a beautiful time of preparation, lasting four weeks, leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ first coming at Christmas in the birth of our Messiah, and also the anticipation of His second coming and return to earth, yet to occur. 6 Meaningful Ways to Prepare for and Celebrate Advent The following are six traditional ways to prepare our hearts to celebrate Advent. Attend special Advent services. Some churches and denominations offer Advent services leading up to Christmas, where attendees join together to prepare their hearts for Christ’s birth with Scripture reading, an Advent message, songs, and prayers. Follow an Advent Calendar. Leading up to Christmas day, as a family, go through an Advent calendar, which offers 24 or 25 doors to open, each holding a small surprise, toy, candy, or Bible verse inside to help us focus on, prepare, and celebrate each day of Advent. Opening each door helps to teach us about Christ’s coming, along with creating warm family moments and memories to last for years to come. Light an Advent Wreath. An Advent wreath is traditionally made out of evergreens, but can come in various forms, such as wooden or plastic, holding four candles to represent the four weeks leading up to Advent, lighting one candle each Sunday. Traditionally, because purple represents royalty, the candles are usually three purple and one pink candle. Lighting the wreath offers a time for expectation and reflection, where we can look forward to Christ’s coming and rejoice because Jesus is the light of the world. As John 8:12 records, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” Create an Advent chain. As a visual countdown to Advent, young children may especially enjoy making an Advent chain, linking together colorful pieces of paper to represent each day leading up...
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    7 分
  • Psalm-Powered Gratitude for Any Season

    Psalm-Powered Gratitude for Any Season
    2025/11/28
    Gratitude isn’t just an action—it’s a heart posture rooted in worship. Psalm 100:1-5 calls us to “shout for joy to the Lord” and “enter his gates with thanksgiving,” reminding us that praising God and offering thanks should overflow from our daily lives. When we intentionally create space for gratitude, whether in prayer, family life, or personal devotion, our hearts are renewed, joy is cultivated, and worship becomes a natural response to God’s goodness and faithfulness. Highlights Psalm 100 emphasizes joyful, heartfelt worship as the foundation of gratitude. Giving thanks is both an opportunity and a command—acknowledge God’s goodness in every season. Intentionally making space in your life for gratitude and prayer prevents busyness from crowding out thankfulness. Worship leads to joy: as we praise God, our hearts naturally overflow with gladness. Gratitude involves both personal reflection and communal expression, encouraging family and others to share in thanksgiving. God’s steadfast love and faithfulness span generations, giving us a secure foundation for praise. Practical tools like gratitude calendars or journals can help integrate thanksgiving into daily routines. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Psalm-Powered Gratitude for Any Season By: Laura Bailey Bible Reading: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” - Psalm 100:1-2 NIV Recently, I purchased a magnetic calendar for our fridge to keep everyone in the family in the loop on our schedule. As a bonus to the calendar feature, there was a spot for prayer requests, gratitude, and to-do lists. For the first few weeks, I filled every section of the calendar to the brim. I invited my girls to add prayer requests, items they were thankful for, and activities they would like to do. Yet, as the weeks passed, the boxes containing our schedule continued to overflow, and eventually took over our gratitude and prayer request boxes. Oddly enough, the “to-do” section continued to grow exponentially, even though our schedule was already maxed out.As I stared at the calendar, I felt a familiar pang of Holy Spirit conviction. I knew He was gently nudging me to make some space for the gratitude and prayer request section. The reality was, my family was in an intense state of burnout, and looking at the calendar was a visual reminder of our misplaced priorities. We’d neglected to take time to offer gratitude, to linger over the many blessings, the abundance of grace and mercy bestowed on our family by a loving God. We were so internally focused that we neglected the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. When I was little, my church choir teacher would always start our time together with Psalm 100, specifically focusing on the call to “make a joyful noise.” I am not sure how joyful we were, but we surely did take the command to “shout the Lord’s goodness” to heart. Knowing I needed some psalm-packed gratitude, I turn to Psalm 100, allowing the “Psalm for giving thanks” to penetrate and encourage my weary heart.“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” - Psalm 100:1-5 This Psalm celebrates our opportunity to come before the Lord and worship. Far too often, I take for granted the luxury to enter the House of the Lord without opposition. Most Sundays, I come before the Lord out of obligation, not opportunity, to praise and offer gratitude for all He has done. Psalm 100 is an invitation to worship the Creator of the universe. To shout for joy, to the ends of the earth, letting everyone know that God is good! When we bow before the Lord in humble submission and with an abundance of thanksgiving, our hearts will naturally overflow and produce joy and gladness.We are called to know God on a personal level, not just “know about Him,” but to seek an intimate connection to our Heavenly Father. God created us physically, but also made us a new creation in Christ — spiritually, those who’ve accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. We enter God's House with thankful hearts, giving Him the glory and honor for all things. We praise Him for He is good, His love ...
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    7 分
  • Giving Thanks Isn't a Day - It's a Daily Posture

    Giving Thanks Isn't a Day - It's a Daily Posture
    2025/11/27
    Thanksgiving is more than a holiday—it’s a lifestyle. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 calls us to “rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances,” showing that gratitude should be our daily posture. From small blessings like a morning cup of coffee to the vast gifts of God’s love, cultivating a heart of thankfulness transforms our perspective, lifts our spirits, and strengthens our relationship with Him. From all of us at Lifeaudio and Salem Media, Happy Thanksgiving. Highlights Gratitude is a daily choice, not a seasonal habit. Starting small—like noting one thing you’re thankful for each morning—can shift your mindset. Counting blessings outweighs burdens and fosters joy and contentment. God’s goodness and provision remain constant, even when circumstances are difficult. Journaling or listing gifts of God can deepen awareness of His work in your life. Practicing gratitude strengthens your heart, aligns your perspective with God’s will, and brings joy. God delights when His children acknowledge His blessings and rely on Him daily. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Giving Thanks Isn’t a Day—It’s a Daily Posture By: Alexis A. Goring Bible Reading:“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV Here in the United States of America, the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us.It is a time to practice gratitude and share what we are thankful for in this life. Often during this time of year, people tend to be more appreciative and count their blessings from God. But giving thanks shouldn’t be an occasional event; it should be a daily posture. I’d like to share a story illustration that I heard a little while ago: A husband told his grumpy wife, who was feeling ungrateful every day, that she should give thanks for what she has. He presented a challenge: Every morning when you go to the kitchen to make your coffee, name one thing you are grateful for, then write it on a piece of paper and put that paper into this glass jar before you drink your coffee. His wife was angry at him, but followed his instructions, and for the first few days, all she could write was “coffee,” but a few days later, she realized that she also appreciated the sunlight. So, she put “sunshine” on the paper, and a day after that, she thought of something else and wrote it down. Before long, the jar was filled with notes of what she was grateful for, and her entire mood had lifted. Her mentality improved. As her gratitude grew, so did her positive attitude. My maternal grandma told me many years ago, “Gratitude will change your attitude. Take inventory of your blessings.” Her words ring true for me to this day. She was a wise woman. She was right because I found that when I remember to count my blessings instead of my burdens, I feel better as I realize how my blessings outweigh my burdens. When I focus on what’s going right in my life instead of what went wrong, I naturally start giving thanks to God. The Bible says that God wants us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This means that no matter what we face, we need to look for the silver lining. I believe that God can restore the most broken places and people in our lives when we put our hope in Him (Romans 8:28). Sometimes, we don’t see the resolution until we go home to Heaven. But no matter what happens here on Earth, the truth is that God is good all the time and He has good plans for our lives. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). Thanks to God’s Son (Jesus Christ), we have the hope of eternity with our Creator when we put our faith in Him (Romans 10:13). There’s always something or someone to be grateful for, even if you are just happy that your heart is still beating or if you, like the woman in the story illustration above, are only grateful for your daily cup of coffee. Well then, that’s a start! Ann Voskamp wrote a book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. Toward the end of it is a challenge for the reader to write one thousand things that they are grateful for. I accepted this challenge promptly by going to a Christian bookstore and buying a beautiful journal covered in a purple and pink design, then writing down what I was grateful for several times a week. My first entry in this journal was made on February 28, 2011. I wrote “Rainy days”. My last entry was made on September 23, 2017: “God’s love” being the ...
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    6 分
  • Practicing Contentment This Thanksgiving

    Practicing Contentment This Thanksgiving
    2025/11/26
    Thanksgiving is a season meant for gratitude, yet it can also bring comparison, grief, and longing. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us that contentment comes not from circumstances or possessions, but from trusting in God’s promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” True contentment arises when we recognize His presence in our lives, even when what we desire seems absent. This season, learning to be thankful for what we have—not what we lack—can transform our hearts and deepen our trust in God. Highlights Contentment is rooted in God’s faithfulness, not worldly circumstances. Thanksgiving can trigger comparison, grief, or longing, but gratitude refocuses the heart. Practicing thankfulness for family, home, and relationships cultivates a heart of contentment. Avoiding a love of money or material things helps prevent discontent. God’s promise to never leave or forsake us is the foundation for genuine peace and joy. Even in seasons of loss or unmet desires, contentment allows us to recognize and appreciate God’s blessings. Reflecting on Scripture daily encourages a shift from want to gratitude. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Practicing Contentment This Thanksgiving By Vivian Bricker Bible Reading: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). While thankfulness should be our main focus on Thanksgiving, sometimes it can also be a time of comparison. When we go to family get-togethers or friendsgivings, it is hard not to compare our lives to others. Maybe we are the only single person amongst our friend group and we want to have a spouse. Or maybe we are recovering from the death of a loved one and we have a hard time coping with the lightheartedness of those around us. Personally, ever since my mom passed away, Thanksgiving has never felt the same. Some years it has been easier to cope with, while others the depression, grief, and loss has felt overwhelming. Although my family’s Thanksgiving doesn’t look like other people’s Thanksgivings, it doesn't mean we can not practice thankfulness for the blessings that we do have. In truth, it has allowed us to develop contentment for the circumstance we have found ourselves in. While I would want more than anything for my mom to be here, all I can do now is to be content and thankful for the family I do have and the time we have together. The same goes for any circumstance you have found yourself in this year. My friend really wants to be married, but she hasn’t ever dated anyone and it gives her grief every year she sits in front of her siblings with their spouses. It can be painful to be in this situation and quite depressing, however, if we change our hearts to contentment rather than want, we will learn to be thankful in our present season of life. Instead of thinking of what your life is lacking, reflect upon all the blessings you do have, such as your family, a loving home, or a fulfilling job. Intersecting Faith & Life: The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). While nobody knows with certainty who wrote the Book of Hebrews, we do know it was the Holy Spirit working through them. Therefore, this passage is divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). From this passage, we are instructed to keep our lives free from the love of money and to be content with what we have. We should do these things because God has already told us that He will never leave us or forsake us. Since these things are true, we need to practice contentment and also avoid developing a love of money. A love of money or a love of things we don’t have will only lead to a heart of discontent. Reflecting on the truth that God will never leave us or forsake us can help us develop contentment this Thanksgiving season. Even if there is no spouse next to us, or a missing loved one across the table, or even if we’re surrounded by things we wish we had - whatever it may be - God is still with us. He will fill the void and bring our hearts the love, peace, and support that they need. God sees our pain and anguish, and He will bring healing in His proper time. For the present time, we need to lean into Him, practice contentment, and know that if we have Him, we truly do have all things. What are some reasons why you’re struggling with ...
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    6 分
  • Cultivating a Heart Full of Thanksgiving

    Cultivating a Heart Full of Thanksgiving
    2025/11/25
    Thankfulness isn’t just a seasonal tradition—it’s a spiritual posture rooted deep in Scripture and woven through history. Psalm 100:4 calls us to enter God’s presence with gratitude, a theme that began long before American holidays and continues to shape the way believers respond to God’s goodness today. From Old Testament thank offerings to the Pilgrims’ courageous faith, we’re reminded that gratitude grows strongest in hearts that remember God’s faithfulness through every circumstance. Highlights Biblical thanksgiving began with offerings of gratitude long before modern celebrations. Leviticus and 2 Chronicles reveal how God invited His people to display thankfulness through worship. America’s Thanksgiving tradition is deeply influenced by the Pilgrims’ commitment to biblical truth. Despite tremendous suffering, the Pilgrims lived out 1 Thessalonians 5:18 by giving thanks in all circumstances. Historical accounts show how miraculous their survival truly was—only a fraction lived to see the first feast. The Pilgrims’ perseverance helped lay the foundation for a national day dedicated to thanking God. Leaders like Washington and Lincoln carried forward the tradition of national gratitude to the Lord. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: Cultivating a Heart Full of Thanksgiving By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name”—Psalm 100:4 Offering thanksgiving didn’t begin in America; it began in the Bible, taught to humankind by a loving and gracious God who is deserving and worthy of our gratitude, and to receive thankfulness that comes from hearts truly grateful for all He has done and is still doing in our lives and in our nation. Thanksgiving to God, often associated with food offerings, began in the Bible. As early as Leviticus 7:12, we read how God instructed, “If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil, and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in.” Again, in 2 Chronicles 29:31, the King calls for the people to give thanks. “Then Hezekiah said, ‘You have now dedicated yourselves to the Lord. Come and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the temple of the Lord.’ So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings.” America’s Thankfulness Rooted in Biblical Truth Remarkably, Thanksgiving Day in America is rooted in the biblical faith brought and carried to our land through the Pilgrims who courageously escaped Europe’s tightly held religious control to pursue freedom to worship God. Creator and Executive Producer of The Pilgrims documentary, Dr. Jerry Newcombe, follows the Pilgrims from Europe to the New World, documenting their faith and journey to America. The Pilgrims, even in the suffering they endured in Europe and after arriving in America, believed what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 urges, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Newcombe describes the harsh winter leading up to the first 1621 Thanksgiving, marked by illness, cold, and starvation. Of the eighteen women aboard the Mayflower, only four survived. As well, half the married men and ten of the twenty-nine unmarried men died. Children survived better than the adults, with seventeen of the twenty surviving the brutal conditions. Still, very few Pilgrims survived the devastating “starving times” and sickness to participate in the first Thanksgiving, enduring what 2 Corinthians 4:8 describes. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.” As well, historian and author of The Treacherous World of the 16th Century & How the Pilgrims Escaped It: The Prequel to America's Freedom, William J. Federer, discusses facts that some may overlook, such as how miraculous it was for the Pilgrims to escape Europe and birth America. “Of the 102 Pilgrims, only 47 survived till spring,” writes Federer, “At one point, only a half dozen were healthy enough to care for the rest.” The Pilgrims Laid the Groundwork for Thanksgiving “Without the Pilgrims, Thanksgiving Day, set aside to thank God,” states Federer, “it may not have ever been established. They laid the groundwork and foundation for ...
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    7 分
  • A Heart of Thankfulness in a Season of Noise

    A Heart of Thankfulness in a Season of Noise
    2025/11/24
    Life is loud—holiday loud, work-notifications loud, “my brain won’t stop” loud. Psalm 23 reminds us that God doesn’t just suggest rest; sometimes He has to make us lie down so our souls can breathe again. In a world addicted to noise, reclaiming quiet becomes an act of trust and a doorway into genuine gratitude. When we intentionally pause—before the inbox, before the scrolling, before the schedule—we begin to uncover a steadier, quieter thankfulness that anchors us in God’s presence. Highlights God often has to “make” us rest because we naturally resist silence. Constant noise—from work, devices, and distraction—can drain the soul. Many of us fill forced downtime with more noise instead of inviting God into the quiet. Silence can feel uncomfortable, but it’s where God restores, steadies, and speaks. Starting with a simple morning gratitude rhythm helps reframe your day. Look for small pockets—commutes, showers, quiet moments—to pray and thank God. Choosing silence creates space for peace, intimacy, and a thankful heart. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: A Heart of Thanks in a Season of NoiseBy Peyton Garland​​ Bible Reading: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJV) I recognize that most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, and most of the New Testament in Greek, so it’s not only safe but wise to assume that our English translation of each word of Scripture isn’t always an exact cultural match. However, I often chuckle at the verb that leads Psalm 23:2: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures…” (emphasis added). I’m quite certain that if Christ didn’t force me to lie down, to take a breath, to drown out the noise, I wouldn’t. Yet, when I push back against His command and allow life’s unfiltered chaos to control me, I become spiritually drained and crawl back to Him in an unhealthy emotional state, begging that He bring steadiness and peace to my loud world. Perhaps you can relate. You want to put down your phone and enjoy a family dinner or your kid’s ballgame, but you’re waiting on several important work emails to come through. You have to stay glued to your screen. Or you want to dedicate a few quiet moments to prayer, but your mind doesn’t know what to do with such empty headspace. Before long, you aren’t concentrated on God, but your mind has wandered to drafting a grocery list, scheduling a dentist appointment, overthinking a previous conversation with a friend, etc. Furthermore, in those moments when God “makes” us take a break, whether due to sickness, weather cancellations, or mandatory R&R from a boss, do we fill these opportunities for heavenly reprieve with shows that we binge all day? Do we stay glued to our social media reels? It’s as though we aren’t sure we can function–or even “rest”– without noise. I daresay that most of us are far too comfortable with noise and distractions. After all, it’s easier to be distracted with surface-level schedules and mindless social media scrolling than to sit in the silence where God can work on our hearts. If silence makes you uneasy and the quiet feels anything but peaceful, especially during the holidays, you aren’t alone. Many of us wrestle with the same anxiousness. However, mutual understanding doesn’t mean we leave one another in this frazzled state. Instead, let’s encourage each other to start with a short, simple act of thankfulness amid the quiet. When you first wake up in the morning, before you get out of bed and allow your cellular notifications to consume your mind, sit in the silence and thank God for three things in your life. This will only take a matter of seconds, but it will begin your day in a quiet atmosphere in which you invite God and His goodness into your life. Once you find a comfortable rhythm of listing three things each morning, push it to five, then ten. Start searching your daily routine for brief pockets of time where you can pray another list of thanksgivings to God, or where you can offer up prayers for wisdom, discernment, and patience. Consider taking the first five minutes of your commute to work to pray for family and friends. Allow yourself the first five minutes of your shower to be a time when you sing praises to God. His presence isn’t hard to access. He is forever available to talk with you. However, ...
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    7 分
  • When Thankfulness Doesn’t Come Naturally

    When Thankfulness Doesn’t Come Naturally
    2025/11/23
    Gratitude doesn’t come easily for everyone—especially if life has conditioned you to expect the other shoe to drop. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 calls us to give thanks in all circumstances, not because everything feels good, but because God is faithfully at work in every moment. When negativity feels more natural than gratitude, shifting your perspective becomes a slow, intentional surrender. But as God reshapes the heart, thankfulness becomes less of a struggle and more of a steady rhythm. Highlights Early experiences can shape a pessimistic mindset, but God can retrain our hearts toward gratitude. Gratitude leads to contentment—and contentment frees us from constantly chasing “more.” A simple gratitude journal can refocus your mind on God’s ongoing work, even in small blessings. Positive community helps redirect your perspective toward God’s faithfulness. Jesus modeled thankfulness—even in pain—and invites us to adopt the same posture. Choosing gratitude is a daily decision that transforms the way we interpret trials and blessings. Shifting your viewpoint ultimately reshapes your attitude and nourishes a thankful spirit. Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas! Full Transcript Below: When Thankfulness Doesn’t Come NaturallyBy: Michelle Lazurek Bible Reading:“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 As a kid, I didn't have it easy. I came from a controlling household, plus I faced several health challenges. Life was not easy, even in my childhood. Even though I enjoyed the simplicity of playing with toys, playing outside, and just enjoying life, I endured other issues that made my childhood less than simplistic. My mother was also a negative person. She often saw the glass as half-empty, rather than half-full. This taught me to be a pessimistic person, focusing on the negative side of things rather than the positive side. If something good came my way, I often wondered when things would soon turn bad. For years after becoming a Christian, I still felt like this way. Because the Christian life has been full of ups and downs, and I've endured my share of trials, it's easy to look on the negative side of things. This viewpoint has caused me to become less grateful and more entitled. As I've matured in my faith, God has taught me that it's essential to be thankful for everything I have. When I'm grateful, I'm content. When I’m content, I'm no longer searching for the perfect life, the simple pleasures, or the luxuries that I feel I deserve. Switching my viewpoint didn't come easily. Because I had been pessimistic and that attitude was deeply ingrained in my mind, it was hard to shake. But I've learned over the years how to make thankfulness a daily activity, even though it doesn't come naturally to me. Here are some ways to adopt a spirit of thankfulness even when it doesn't come naturally: Start a Gratitude Journal One of the easiest ways for me to switch my viewpoint is to start a gratitude journal. Each day, I'm able to write down even just a few things for which I'm thankful. These can be small blessings, such as having clean clothes or a job. It can also be the bigger things that God does, like the miraculous ways in which He works, or the way He heals my body when it's sick. The most important thing I need to remember is that God is constantly at work in my life. It's a matter of whether I choose to see it or not. Keeping a gratitude journal shifts my focus every day to what I should be thankful for and content in my life. Because I'm someone who doesn't enjoy journaling, this is an easy way for me to adopt the habit of journaling, without having to write complete sentences. Use bullet points and write the words regarding the blessing, so you know what it references. At the end of the month, go back and think of all the ways God has blessed you that month. During your prayer time, thank God for all the ways He is working and for all the ways you see His blessings. Surround Yourself with Positive People Because I learned my pessimistic attitude from my mother, it was an attitude easy to adopt, as she was always around. However, when I became a Christian and attended churches in my area, I surrounded myself with positive people. Instead of focusing on the negative trials in their lives, they chose to be grateful to God for all the ways he was working. As I participated in small groups and heard about all the ways God was working in their lives, it became easier for me to adopt that same attitude. Analyze the company you keep. Do ...
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