Chosen. Royal. Holy. Peculiar. What do these four words have in common? Each term describes us as believers. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. And we are a peculiar people. As I read 1 Peter 2:9 in various translations, […]
Ice, Ice, Baby!
I came home with two bags of ice, a stupid ’90s song stuck in my head, and a dread-filled heart. I read about the benefits of ice baths and reluctantly decided to give it a try. That night I conquered my fear of bathing in […]
Diet Secrets
She leaned in close, whispering, “Give me your diet secrets.” Stunned for a moment, I smile before answering. In my quiet time, I’d read the words of Jesus, “my food is to do the will of Him who sent me.” I wonder how well that […]
What Makes You Laugh?
There is paint on the dog’s head, a tarantula fell on my pillow, and at 9 pm, it’s 80 degrees outside. Just another day in paradise! What makes you laugh? Each item on my list is enough to derail my focus, but this humorous combination […]
Are We There Yet?
My fitness watch is rude. Somedays, it interrupts as I take a break between sets to ask, “Finished your workout?” Today when it happened, it was like a child on a road trip asking, “Are we there yet?” The notification comes with three choices; END […]
True Strength Has No Gender
Strength. Relative strength. Absolute strength. Godly strength. How do we determine what strength is and who has it? What does it mean to be strong for your age or strong for a woman? Strong in Christ is strong. There’s no male or female Christian strength. […]
Real Change is Practically Invisible As it’s Happening
“Real change is practically invisible as it’s happening.” When I read this quote from Marie Forleo, it rang true for me. As the war rages on, our time spent in Russia and Ukraine comes to mind. Seventeen years ago, in Odesa, Ukraine, I climbed the […]
Where Does Your Food Come From?
Where does your food come from? Farm to table. The catch of the day. Uber Eats. In some parts of the world, it’s easy to download an app, press a few buttons, and order whatever we want. At the same time, there are those of […]
I Do Not Understand What I Do
Why do you do the things you do? At least once a week, I identify with the Apostle Paul; in Romans 7:15, he says, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate […]
Do You Know Who You Are?
Do you know who you are? I’m Alida Sharp. A woman, wife, mother, and grandmother. I cry easily, get angry slowly, and laugh way too loud. I’m fiercely loyal to those I love, I work out six days a week, and sugar is my kryptonite. I’m […]