Depression. It can come on as quite a shock. Often with no rhyme or reason. “What’s wrong with me?” I’ll ask. “Why do I feel so blue?” It can linger, too. Not like a cold or a sore throat that you get over in a matter of days. What to do?
Working with a therapist can be very helpful. Although I’ve never had to take medication, I understand that it can offer relief. But for me, prayer is essential. Praying through the depression with the help of Scripture.
Every morning as I eat my oatmeal, I read a few Psalms. I can hold on to a verse and feed on its healing words throughout the day, as nutritious as the oatmeal. Here are a few I’ve prayed over the years.
1) I waited patiently for the Lord: he inclined to me and heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1) Waiting. So much of life is waiting. When you’re feeling blue you want God—somebody—to flick a switch and bring the light back into your life. Now, now, now. But there’s power in the mere waiting. Give yourself time. Put yourself in a prayerful place where God can find you.
2) I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2) I remember visiting an elderly woman, the widow of my pastor. All she had was a small studio apartment with a view of the mountains. She gestured to view and said, “I lift up eyes to the hills…” What a poignant reminder. Healing comes from on high.
3) The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)Nobody knows better how we feel than God. The Lord has a special calling for the brokenhearted, for us when we feel crushed in spirit. What you can’t explain to a loved one, or struggle for words to tell a talk therapist, you can share with God. No need to hide anything. The Lord is right there with us, all the more so when we’re suffering.
4) But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. (Psalm 3:3)Don’t get all caught up in the distractions that fill our days—our phones, emails, the news on TV or our computers. Wherever I look around at a crowd, everybody’s staring down at their phones, heads and shoulders slumped over. The Lord is there to shield us from the worst. God lifts up our heads. Look up.
5) You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. (Psalm 30:11) Sometimes we forget to mourn. In Biblical times mourning was rigorously practiced. Feeling the excruciating pain of a loss. Feeding it. Sackcloth was a rough, coarse cloth people wore to mark their humility, their suffering. Lowering ourselves, dropping down, asking for God’s mercy, can be exactly what allows us to step back into the dance of life. Allowing ourselves to be clothed with joy.
A hot, dry summer can sometimes lead to a parched spirit. The Bible is full of reminders that God is present in times of drought and times of plenty. It is as good to pray for rain as it is to pray for the living water that Jesus spoke of.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Shower, O heavens, from above,
and let the clouds rain down righteousness;
let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit;
let the earth cause them both to sprout;
I the Lord have created it. (Isaiah 45:8)
He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs. (Psalm 107:35)
For this is what the Lord says: “You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.” (2Kings 3:17)
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38)
The season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continues through Christmas Day. Some churches and some Christian households mark each Sunday with Advent prayers and by lighting candles that represent the blessings that come to us by way of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection.
The first Sunday traditionally celebrates hope; the second, peace; the third, joy; and the fourth, love. Typically, the center candle of an Advent wreath or display is white, and is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, signifying the gift of Jesus Himself, the Light of the World.
Whether or not your church or family lights Advent candles, you can beautify these coming weeks with your prayers for hope, peace, joy, and love. Here are some suggestions, drawn from an assortment of Bible verses, as well as a prayer for Christmas Day by Henry Van Dyke, author of The Other Wise Man.
God of hope, thank You that in Your great mercy You have given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. That we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand—in the hope of the glory of God…to such a degree that we can even glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not put us to shame, because Your love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Remind us often that everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Grant that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit and that we, who put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. Amen (1 Peter 1:3-4; Romans 5:2-5, 15:4, 15:13; Ephesians 1:12).
2) A Prayer for Peace
God of Heaven, at the first Christmas Your angel announced, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” Thank You for the peace Your Son Jesus promised, not as the world gives, but willing, deep, lasting, and abiding peace. Thank You that, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. May the Lord of peace Himself give us peace at all times and in every way.
Grant that, as far as it depends on us, we may live at peace with everyone, making every effort to do what leads to peace. So, let the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, now and forever more. Amen (Luke 2:14; Romans 5:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Romans 14:19; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15).
3) A Prayer for Joy
Heavenly Father, let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Please fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. Grant that as Jesus promised, His joy may be in us and our joy may be complete.
Fulfill His promise that, though we may grieve, our grief will turn to joy, and no one will take away our joy. Teach us to always pray with joy, giving joyful thanks to the Father, Who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. And grant us such love and faith in You that we may be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. Amen (Psalm 5:11, 16:11; John 15:11, 16:20, 16:22; Philippians 1:4; Colossians 1:12; 1 Peter 1:8).
4) A Prayer for Love
Loving God, You demonstrated Your love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. I trust in Your unfailing love; surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Teach me to love You with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind and with all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself.
Teach me even to love my enemies, and do good to those who hate me, as Jesus commands. Help me to remain in Your love. Help me to do everything in love, as I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Amen (Romans 5:8; Psalm 13:5, 23:6; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 6:27; John 15:9; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Galatians 2:20).
5) A Prayer on Christmas
The day of joy returns, Father in Heaven, and crowns another year with peace and good will. Help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesus that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the doors of hate and open the doors of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil, by the blessing that Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake, amen (a prayer by Henry Van Dyke).
It’s the holiest day of the year. But for the second year in a row, Good Friday— and the rest of Holy Week—are happening under the cloud of the coronavirus pandemic. So, while your church’s procession or service may not be happening this year, there are plenty of ways you can strengthen your faith and enjoy some family time (and delicious treats) while observing this important day. Read on for some simple solutions.
Prepare Traditional Foods. Good Friday is traditionally a day of fasting; many people eat one small, meat-free meal and two smaller snacks. Hot Cross Buns, a lightly-spiced sweet bun with raisins, marked with an icing cross, have long been the traditional Good Friday breakfast. The origins of this custom are not completely clear, although it is believed that a 12th century Anglican monk first baked the buns in honor of the crucifixion. In 16th Century England, Queen Elizabeth I passed a short-lived law limiting the sale of sweet buns to funerals, Christmas and the Friday before Easter. Superstitions abounded, including that buns baked on Good Friday would never go stale and that they could be used for medicinal purposes. Don’t forget to buy or make enough to enjoy these sweet treats on Easter morning too.
Go for a Walk. Throughout the world many people mark this Holy Day by joining a procession through the streets. Frequently, participants dress as Jesus or other Biblical characters and volunteers take turns carrying a large cross. The walk commemorates Jesus carrying his cross to Golgotha where he was crucified. While some churches or communities will be holding socially-distant walks and processions this year, you can also walk on your own or with your family. It is an ideal time to contemplate Jesus’ suffering and remind yourself of His ultimate sacrifice.
Observe three hours of silence. The most sacred hours of this day occur between noon and 3:00 pm to honor the time when Christ was on the cross. Turn off all devices—you can do it!—including phones and TVs and immerse yourself in silence. Pray—one option is to pray the Stations of the Cross; read the Bible and encourage children to draw religious pictures. You may want to write a letter to Jesus thanking him for everything he has done for you.
Attend Guideposts50th annual Good Friday Day of Prayer. For half a century the Guideposts staff has come together for a day of fellowship and to pray for thousands of prayer requests received from every corner of the country. This year, the program is remote, but it features a powerful lineup, including pastor and best-selling author Mark Batterson. Don’t miss it at 1:00 pm EST on Friday, April 2, on OurPrayer Facebook.
Looking for the right words for a marriage ceremony? Having difficulty coming up with wedding speech ideas? Whether you are writing your own vows or planning a speech for the wedding reception, we’ve got you covered. These inspiring and uplifting prayers, Bible verses and wedding blessings can help you celebrate this special occasion.
My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. —Song of Solomon 2:10-13
2. A Traditional Wedding Prayer
Most gracious God, we give You thanks for Your tender love in sending Jesus Christ to come among us, to be born of a human mother, and to make the way of the cross to be the way of life.
We thank You, also, for consecrating the union of man and woman in his Name. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, pour out the abundance of Your blessing upon this man and this woman. Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads. Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death.
Finally, in Your mercy, bring them to that table where Your saints feast for ever in Your heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with You and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen. —Book of Common Prayer
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. —1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4. A Short Wedding Prayer
Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us, for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, for the health, the work, the food, and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen. —Wedding Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson
5. A Wedding Bible Verse About Love
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. —1 John 4:16-19
May you each bring your best self to the other. May you each bring intelligence and commitment as well as faith to the task that is set before you. May you maintain enduring respect and trust. May all who follow your lives with interest and affection have cause often to rejoice, not only in your happiness, but also in your brave and generous living. —Unknown
7. A Short Bible Verse About Marriage
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. —Proverbs 3:3-4
8. A Wedding Dinner Blessing
May your love grow like a beautiful tree, sending roots deep and branches high, with new beauty every season of your life together. May you dare to dream dreams not yet dreamt. May you find constant reward and challenge as you pursue the ongoing adventure of learning who you are and where you want to go. May you always have a special sense of your mission in life together, and may you never tire of the endless possibilities of exploring your shared existence. —Unknown
9. An Irish Wedding Blessing
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. —Irish Blessing
10. A Wedding Blessing Quote
Lord, help us remember when we first met and the strong love that grew between us, to see the good within the other and find answers to all our problems. Help us to say the kind and loving thing and make us big enough to ask forgiveness of the other. We put our marriage into Your hands. Amen. —Norman Vincent Peale
10 Bible Verses for Wedding Blessings:
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. —Ephesians 4:2
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. —1 Thessalonians 5:11
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. —Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. —Song of Solomon 6:3
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. —Hebrews 10:24
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. —Romans 12:10
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. —1 Corinthians 13:2
Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. —Proverbs 21:21
I found the one my heart loves. —Song of Solomon 3:4
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. —Colossians 3:14
We all know there are different kinds of prayers: petition (asking for oneself), intercession (asking for others), praise (telling God how great He is), lament (complaining and crying out our sorrows to God), and confession (admitting our sins to God), and so on. But one of the more neglected forms of prayer is affirmation.
Prayers of affirmation are telling ourselves (while God listens, of course) things that are true and helpful. They’re a way of obeying the command to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable . . . excellent or praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).
I’ve found affirmations to be an important part of my prayer life, and I have a number that I pull out repeatedly. For example, when I’m feeling troubled or stressed, I’ll often pray, “I’m in your hands.” It’s not a request; it’s a reminder of something I know to be true, and something that tells my heart and mind to settle down and trust in God. Another frequent affirmation is, “Here I am,” reminding myself that I’m always in God’s presence but need to be aware and available for Him to speak to me and use me.
Along with that prayer, I turn often to Bible affirmations such as the following:
The Lord is with you, mighty warrior (Judges 6:12 NIV).
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8 NIV).
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need (Psalm 23:1 GNT).
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NIV).
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights my soul (Psalm 94:19 NASB).
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2 NIV).
In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 NIV).
When I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV).
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10 NIV).
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer (1 Peter 3:12 NIV).
You may choose to print out this list and keep it handy. You might memorize one a week, repeating it often throughout your day. You may even want to compile a list of your own affirmations—say, for times when you need courage or peace, or a list focusing on some recurring situation.
Whatever affirmations resonate the most with you, keep in mind that the best affirmations are those that counter the lies you tend to believe about God, yourself, and the world around you with the truth and beauty of what God says.
If you’ve never taken a prayer retreat, you are missing a great opportunity to draw closer to God and experience blessing and breakthrough in your spiritual life. I’ve certainly experienced that in my own life, and so I am often on the lookout for new and welcoming places to take a prayer retreat. I’ve enjoyed the hospitality of several Catholic monasteries and retreat centers, thanks to the monastic tradition in Orthodox Christianity. Below is a list of some of the places I have visited and others I hope to visit someday (you don’t have to be Catholic or Orthodox to schedule a retreat at any of them):
1. The Abbey of the Genesee (Piffard, NY)
The Abbey of the Genesee is home to approximately 30 Trappist monks. It is located in the picturesque Genesee River Valley of western New York. The monastic enclosure encompasses about 1,200 acres of forest, ravines, rolling hills and a meandering creek. They provide three houses for retreats: Bethlehem retreat house is ideal for individual silent retreats, while the Bethany and Nazareth houses are used for group retreats.
2. Mepkin Abbey (Moncks Corner, SC)
This silent Cistercian monastery was established in 1949 on the historic Mepkin Plantation on the Cooper River, north of Charleston. It offers silent retreats both short (1-6 nights) and long (30 days). Vegetarian meals are provided. Retreats can be booked online.
3. The Abbey of Gethsemani (Trappist, KY)
Founded December 21, 1848, and made an abbey in 1851, Gethsemani is situated on more than 2000 acres of farmland and considered to be the “mother house” of all Trappist and Trappistine monasteries in the U.S. It is also the oldest monastery in this country that is still in use and is famous as the home of Thomas Merton. They schedule Friday-to-Monday retreats or Monday-to-Friday retreats in their air-conditioned guest house.
4. St. Meinrad Archabbey (St. Meinrad, IN)
St. Meinrad Archabbey in south-central Indiana (near Evansville) was founded in 1854 by monks from the 1000-year-old Swiss abbey of Einsiedeln, where St. Meinrad lived and died. Today, it is a thriving community of 90 or so monks which also includes a seminary (more than a 100 seminarians studying for the priesthood), theological school, publishing house (Abbey Press), gift shop and extensive grounds. The guest house at St. Meinrad is very comfortable and the meals are top notch.
5. The Monastery of the Holy Spirit (Conyers, GA)
This monastery, begun in 1944 by 21 Trappist monks from the Abbey of Gethsemani (above), offers weekend and Monday-to-Thursday retreats, for which they request a donation of $80-$100 per person, per night. Most rooms have a shared bath.
6. Saint John’s Abbey (Collegeville, MN)
Located in central Minnesota on 2,740 acres of woodlands and lakes, Saint John’s Abbey welcomes guests of all faiths and accommodates 12-15 people. Single and double rooms are available ($70/$95 night), as well as suites ($120/night). Group rates are also available. Meals are provided (extra cost). You can also arrange to meet with a spiritual director regularly (usually once a day).
7. The Monastery of Christ in the Desert (Abiquiu, NM)
The Monastery of Christ in the Desert is located in the beautiful Chama Canyon wilderness in northwestern New Mexico, about 75 miles north of Santa Fe. The Benedictine monks there maintain a guesthouse for private retreats where men and women can stay for a minimum of two days and two nights (shorter stays would not help guests enter into the experience). Guests usually stay several days, a week, or even longer (stays of longer than a month require the approval of the abbot). There are nine single and three double rooms for a maximum of 17 people at the main guesthouse. A ranch house also offers three double rooms.
8. St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery (Florence, AZ)
This beautiful monastery, begun by six monks from Greece in 1995, can be enjoyed by non-Orthodox Christians. A dress code (long sleeves, long pants or skirt, head scarves for women) is observed. Separate quarters and meals are provided for men and women.
9. The Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux (Vina, CA)
This monastery is a community of Cistercian monks living the Rule of Saint Benedict. They offer one-day, weekend and week-long retreats, as well as a long-term guest program. It is small, though—only six single guest rooms and two rooms for married couples (each guest room includes a private bathroom).
10. The Monastery of the Redwoods (Whitethorn, CA)
Begun in late 1962 by four Cistercian nuns, The Monastery of the Redwoods is located in a breathtakingly beautiful area of the Lost Coast of northern California. The sisters—not monks—offer their hospitality either from Thursday until Sunday or full week retreats from Monday until Sunday. The meals are vegetarian.
If none of these strikes close to home for you (literally or figuratively), there are many more that can be found using a quick online search. Chances are good that a welcome awaits at a monastery, convent or retreat center near you.
I love everything about church weddings. It doesn’t matter what denomination or whether it’s held in an oversized city cathedral or a cute country chapel. (Well okay, I’m partial to the latter). I love checking out the stained glass windows, the altar, and I always, always, get choked up when the bride starts her iconic trip down the aisle, most often to the melodic tunes of Canon in D. Pachelbel.
It’s all about tradition.
Another tradition that I look forward to is the Bible readings. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is often part of many services. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
It’s easy to see why this beautiful and thought-provoking verse is a perennial favorite of brides and grooms everywhere. After all, it provides inspiration on how to make marriage into a joyful lifelong relationship. Of course, marriage is not always easy; the media constantly bombards us with grim divorce statistics and the reality is that even the happiest of partnerships will inevitably encounter some rough patches.
What does the Bible say about marriage?
But right from the very beginning, the Bible shows us both the many benefits of marriage and the best way to achieve this spiritual union. Many marriage bible verses appear throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance and power of love. Genesis 1:27-28 states: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply.”
So, whether you are getting ready to walk down the aisle, are currently struggling with your partner or have been happily hunkered down with your spouse for decades, call on the following marriage Bible verses to help you renew your love and strengthen your union.
Genesis 2:24: Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (NKJV)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-11: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?” (NIV)
Romans 12:10:Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (NIV)
Ephesians 4:2-3:Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (NIV)
Ephesians 5:25: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. (NIV)
Colossians 3:14: And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (NIV)
1 Peter 4:8:Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (NIV)
John 13:34-35: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.(ESV)
Isaiah 62:5: For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
Genesis 2:18: Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
Want to take a fun little quiz? Each of the five quotes below is inspired by a Scripture. Can you figure out which verse?:
1. Love shared is love squared.
2. Turn gloom into blooms.
3. Let your inner child out to play.
4. The loveliest accessory a woman can have is a good friend.
5. If I Google kindness, I find you.
A couple of years ago when I came to Guideposts the first thing I did was talk to our readers about what the magazine meant to them.
“I always pass my copies along,” they said. Or “I give gift subscriptions of the magazine. It’s a great way to share my faith.”
But could there be another way Guideposts could help customers to share their faith?
That’s where these quotes come in. A team of us pictured a girl with a bright spirit and a knack for putting Scripture verses into her own playful, contemporary idiom. Her name is Hope, her quotes “Hope-isms.” We’ve put them on mugs, tote bags, journals, T-shirts, cards—a whole line of inspirational gifts called Hope Springs. We think you’ll love it!
I tested out one of our Hope Springs T-shirts on a fifth-grade school teacher. “That would be perfect to wear to school!” she exclaimed.
Every Hope-ism is inspired by the Bible. Of course, our real hope is that they will inspire you and then inspire you to inspire others.
Figure out the verses yet? Here are the answers:
1. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).
2. The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose (Isaiah 35:1).
3. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).
4. The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense (Proverbs 27:9).
5. May the Lord reward you for your kindness (Ruth 1:8).
Find even more Hope-isms and all kinds of fun ways to share them at hopespringshere.com.
Oh, the beauty of a grilled cheese sandwich—the kind that leaves your fingers slightly shiny and makes your eyes go wide with joy. It’s the sight of all that cheese stretching invitingly as you pull apart the halves of the sandwich.
This diner classic is really appropriate for any meal, but in these days when cold temperatures and life stresses can strain our flavorful, comforting dinner imaginations, why not try grilled cheese for supper?
First, a quick review of grilled cheese 101:
Buy bread—anything will do, but this is a great opportunity to showcase your pandemic sourdough baking skills…or to grab a special loaf from your local bakery.
Spread softened butter, margarine or mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread. Mayonnaise has a higher smoke point than butter, so some prefer it to keep bread brown but not charred.
Heat a skillet or griddle pan on medium-low heat. The goal is to melt the cheese and toast the bread, not “cook” the ingredients inside the sandwich.
Fill your sandwich with deliciousness and assemble.
Grill your sandwich for two-three minutes on one side, then flip for two minutes on the other—or however long it takes for your bread to be beautifully brown and crisp.
Now, onto some sandwich-filling ideas that can elevate your grilled cheese into a delectable dinner.
Quick Pickles
Pickles give a tasty tang to a grilled cheese sandwich, cutting through the creamy richness and bringing everything about the sandwich to life. A classic Cuban sandwich contains thinly sliced dill pickle, ham, cheese and mustard.
But you can make quick pickles yourself to bring some zing to your sandwich. My favorite is pickled red onion—thinly slice the onion and submerge into a mixture of ½ cup apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of sugar, and a healthy pinch of kosher salt. Let it stand for an hour before spreading a thin layer onto your sandwich.
Add a Touch of Sweetness
At holidays, my mom always served warm brie and jam with crackers. I like to bring that sweet-savory combo to my grilled cheese sandwiches as well. Stirring together some honey and mustard is a place to start. Or, add thinly sliced apples or pears to your sandwich to bring in some real fruit. Red berry jams like raspberry or strawberry are also beautiful complements to savory cheeses and meats like turkey.
Make it Meaty
Cheese is packed with protein, but sometimes you really want to lean into the meatiness of a dinnertime meal. Grilled cheese sandwiches are highly welcoming to any deli meats, especially turkey and ham, as well as cured meats like prosciutto or the flavor bomb known as crumbled bacon.
Bring In Favorite Flavors
What are your favorite dinnertime flavor profiles? If you love Italian flavors, turn to a layer of arugula or fresh basil, a slice of tomato and mozzarella cheese. If you enjoy Tex-Mex, add guacamole and a thin layer of spicy salsa to Monterey Jack cheese. Asian influences could include a fermented food like kimchi, thinly sliced grilled steak flavored with soy sauce and sesame oil, paired with cheddar.
I am terrible at giving things up for Lent. I try sweets, but I don’t really have a sweet tooth. I can’t give up caffeine because I don’t drink coffee. And during this stage of my life with young children, I don’t do many things outside of the house that I can give up. So one year, I decided to take something on instead: I pledged to send someone in my life a letter every day.
Each morning, I would see who came to mind, such as my brother-in-law, a niece, and a college roommate. I prayed for them, and then I wrote the letter, loaded with memories, hopes, and/or general life updates.
As I poured into these pen-on-paper letters, my heart began to swell. I found myself dwelling on the good memories and moments in my life. What’s more, my mailbox began to fill up! Even people I talked with through email took the time to write back on paper, their letters creating kind of a holy space within our generally casual relationships.
I couldn’t keep up once Lent ended, but the 40 days of intentional practice taught me more about the meaning of Lent. And helped change my mindset. And These days, when I think of friends, I don’t just wonder; I reach out and wish them well and share my hope for joy in their lives.
“There’s no such thing as bad weather,” goes an old saying, “only bad clothing.”
Living in New England as I do, I am committed to the truth of this aphorism. Without it, we would be trapped indoors for most of the winter, missing out on the opportunity to fill our lungs with the bracing, beautiful, challenging air of deep winter. We’d miss out on the quiet, ethereal sounds of a snowy forest or the peace of a walk across the frozen ground of a field or park. And during the pandemic, we’d miss out on most of our chances to spend time with people we care about.
But let’s get real—none of this beauty and joy is possible without the right warm clothing. And when it comes to dressing for winter success, more is not necessarily…more.
1) Warm Your Core
I’ve found that if the middle of my body is warm—my abdomen and solar plexus—I can tolerate cold temperatures for longer. I invested in a heated vest (powered by a rechargeable battery), which really does the job. But you can achieve the same effect by putting inexpensive hand-warmers in the pockets of a fleece or sweatshirt you’re wearing under your winter coat. I always visualize that inner warmth literally thawing my blood to help it flow smoothly through the rest of my body. This is an entirely un-scientific thought, but it’s a nice warming image on a chilly walk.
2) Flex Your Layers
Crucial to proper winter dress is the ability to change it up, to be flexible with how many layers you are wearing as you start to sweat or get a chill. This is all fine and good—until you find yourself walking down the trail holding an armload of sweaters and fleeces. Think about layers that can easily be folded into a backpack if you want a break from them. Many down jackets are warm, but thin because they’re made for layering. Thick cotton long-sleeved t-shirts or flannel button-up shirts are also easily pulled off and tucked into a backpack without weighing you down (which, ironically, would make you feel even sweatier!).
3) Protect Your Feet As Lieutenant Dan told Forrest Gump in the movie, rule number one of staying safe in wet weather is to “take care of your feet.” The best socks for winter hiking are quick-drying, moisture-wicking and heat-preserving. That means cotton socks are a no-no, because they absorb sweat and hold the moisture next to your precious tootsies. Look for wool socks or synthetic hiking socks made of polyester or nylon. And be sure your boots are fully waterproofed!
