How to Chase Joy in Your Life Even in Hard Seasons

By Barbara Rainey | October 12, 2020 | 8 Comments

  Recently my husband, Dennis, went on a hunting trip with our son, and I decided to make the days alone ones of rest and refreshment with activities that were fun and gave me joy. In my Bible study lessons this fall we’ve talked about how the source of joy is found in relationship with […]

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Giving Thanks for Everything … Even the Coronavirus, Even at Easter

By Barbara Rainey | March 26, 2020 | 5 Comments

Last week I decided I needed to start a list of “good things” from the coronavirus outbreak. Everyone seems to be feeling overly cautious or panicked … or overworked if they are healthcare professionals. Or they are beginning to feel overly claustrophobic from staying home like I am. As I type this, I just cancelled […]

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Becoming a More Grateful Woman, and Teaching Children to Give Thanks Too (Part Four)

By Barbara Rainey | November 19, 2018 | 3 Comments

There is a story in the Bible that seemed exceptionally harsh to me. It’s the story of the Israelites being punished for ingratitude by wandering in a desert for 40 years. But as a parent, I began to understand a little of how God felt. I hated it when my children complained about what they […]

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Becoming a More Grateful Woman, and Teaching Children to Give Thanks Too (Part Three)

By Barbara Rainey | November 15, 2018 | 5 Comments

It’s obvious to every mom, every teacher, every grandparent that gratitude is not natural in children. It is an attitude that must be modeled, taught, and nurtured. Our family’s travels to impoverished places in other countries glaringly revealed our lack of gratitude for all we have in the United States. Prosperity breeds entitlement not thanksgiving. […]

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Becoming A More Grateful Woman, and Teaching Children to Give Thanks Too (Part Two)

By Barbara Rainey | November 8, 2018 | 3 Comments

One of the great privileges of my life has been visiting orphanages in places like Russia, China, and South Africa. Taking our children to see those little ones who had no parents, no room of their own, no toys or clothes of their own was life changing. Through these many visits we learned that those […]

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