Being a divorced parent or a stepparent presents us with thousands of opportunities to either “tell the truth” or to filter our words to protect the kids. Many times we have a difficult co-parent (or ex-spouse) who constantly undermines us or tries to make things look bad about us to the children. I continually remind my clients that the only person you can control is yourself. You cannot make the other parent do the right thing or stop doing the wrong thing. You can’t make the other parent show up on time or stop saying negative things about you… however, what you CAN control is what you let ..read more

1 Peter 4 For today…let us look at every situation…every circumstance…and ASK what the Lord is teaching us.  Scripture reminds us that God has Lessons in Living available for those He loves. When we search for Truth…we are to look as if we are searching for a “hidden treasure”…one that will change our attitude…our perspective…and our life. When found…we are to use the new knowledge to honor God…and to use our discovery to add spiritual muscles to our soul and mind. Knowing God is GOOD…how can we use every situation or circumstance for discovering a deeper relationship with our Maker…our L ..read more

Suffering from clutter claustrophobia? Scrap your storage unit plans and don’t let these underutilized storage spaces go to waste! Minimalize the mess with these creative storage ideas for small homes 20 Clever Clutter Solutions for Upping Your Storage Game  Tons of space, there for the taking! Linen & Coat Closets There’s often a great deal of wasted space in linen and coat closets, from low, loosely stacked towels to the dead airspace beneath jackets. First, downsize items you don’t need, then stack items tighter and higher on shelves, adding stackable storage bins and boxes to ma ..read more

As we celebrate the birth of our country this month, take a few minutes to reflect on how God has so richly blessed the United States of America since our founding fathers declared our freedom from England. Countless sacrifices have been made, and continue to be made, by many individuals to ensure that our nation remains free to worship God, maintains a democratic system, and stands as the greatest nation on earth. Yes, there is turmoil on many fronts in our country. However, the United States remains the freest and most admired country in the world. At the same time, thank God for the more im ..read more

If you’ve ever noticed a musty odor emanating from your crawl space, you’re not alone. This unpleasant smell is often indicative of underlying issues that need attention. Let’s explore some common causes of musty odors in crawl spaces and why addressing them promptly is crucial for maintaining a healthy home environment. 1. Moisture Accumulation: One of the primary culprits behind musty odors in crawl spaces is moisture buildup. Crawl spaces are prone to high humidity levels due to poor ventilation, inadequate drainage, or water leaks. When moisture accumulates, it creates a perfect environmen ..read more

As a clinical psychologist, I regularly hear from my clients and others their frustrations and their growing annoyance with other human beings who have lost their direction and furthermore have diluted our moral beliefs with increasing numbers of people “do not have a moral conscience/ a moral compass, or a sense of right and wrong”! I am sure that many of you reading this article have had similar experiences and found yourself, after a similar encounter, pondering the dilemma for a day or two-sometimes longer-and arriving at an interesting point of insight. The insight in which you realize yo ..read more

As we enjoy the sunny warmth of the summer, let us be reminded of the powerful words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 5:16: In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (ESV).    This verse serves as a reminder of the impact of our generosity and acts of kindness. Just as light illuminates the darkness, so our actions brighten the world around us. When we give generously of our time, talents, and resources, we are spreading the light of God’s love.    In a world often overshadowed by ..read more

As I was growing up one of my least favorite answers was “we’ll just have to wait and see”. I wanted a yes or no – but not a wait and see. In a world that longs for certainty- wait and see offers little promise. When you are in the doctor’s office the statement “let’s wait and see how this progresses” may elicit fear. In family situations, wait and see can create tension. In our spiritual life wait and see can challenge us to greater faith or bring discouragement. I’ll admit that in my spiritual life the wait and see has left me feeling discouraged more than once. It’s tough when I’m praying f ..read more

My Mom died in 2020 of Alzheimer’s disease at age 94. My Dad is 92 and has Dementia and Parkinson’s disease. The cost of caring for my Mom for over 3 years was about $250,000. The last 9 months of her life at a memory facility at $6,000 per month. The cost of caring for my Dad for the last 18 months has been between $6,200 to $6,500 a month. It will soon be $8,000 per month as I must move him into a memory facility. No long-term care insurance for either one.  Income for them is above qualifying for Medicaid.  How to pay?  His hard-earned money.  Dad was a blue-collar worke ..read more

Looking for a productive and fun way to spend your Saturday morning? Join us on Saturday, July 13th, from 8 AM to 12 PM for our Annual Fix-it-Fair, Bike Repair, and Resource Fair located at 307 S Academy St. in Murfreesboro, TN! This event is a fantastic opportunity to learn valuable skills, get your bike fixed, and enjoy some free pancakes!   Do you ever wish you knew how to handle minor home repairs on your own? Our Fix-it-Fair is designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills to tackle those small but important tasks. Our expert volunteers will guide you through hands-on worksho ..read more