Cheryl's Corner

Well, I guess we no longer have to go to Florida for Christmas! We are having a tropical Christmas right at home this year J   It’s hard to believe Christmas day is just a couple of days away! I love all the traditions of this time of year…the parties and events, the music, catching up with old friends, driving around looking at the lights, and many other things.  As much as Christmas can be a joyful time of year, it can also be a very painful time of year. More than ever we can see the world isn’t as it should be and Christmas can evoke a whole range of emotions. We were never meant to have to experience the pain of conflict and loss. The world is supposed to be like the world Adam and Eve experienced before they sinned. They had complete communion and harmony with God and the world around them. When sin entered the world, everything was ruined.  All the sadness, pain, discouragement, insecurity, regret, loss and darkness we experience is because of sin....

The weeks leading up to me turning 30 years old were filled with some good times, but also some challenging times. Things haven’t gone as anticipated for this fall but that I have seen God at work through it all.  I have done a lot of self-reflection and it has led to moments of regret and discouragement. But, those moments have been beautiful for they have let me experience God and His amazing grace in deeper ways. Lately I’ve had many moments I feel so thankful: thankful for the life and the many blessings God has given me, and so thankful that we don’t have to do this life alone.  The following is a list of 30 things I’ve learned through other people and the circumstances of life over the last 30 years that have most impacted my life. 1. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, if you’re with the right group of people- things tend to be easier and more enjoyable. 2. Cats are better than dogs…no need to explain further :) (I’m totally just kidding on this one) 3. Slee...

My heart is being filled with a new kind of joy these days. Oh, I still have lots of rough and discouraging days but sometimes, even on those days, a deeper joy remains. This joy doesn't come from suddenly improved circumstances. The sources of this joy are from things that aren't easy to talk about and  especially to live out.   This is what I’m learning: confession, repentance and obedience bring joy.  There is nothing better than having a clean heart before God; but God is the only One who can create a clean and new heart. Even though these things aren't easy or popular to talk about, they are worth talking about because of where they can lead. Where does this all start? No one naturally has the desire to confess and repent of their sin, and be obedient to God’s leading. A few months ago I was listening to a sermon when the pastor said something that grabbed my attention. He claimed that the thing that sets apart thriving Christians from struggling Christians is th...