Coffee with Carole

Should a Christian celebrate Halloween or not?  I get questions like this all the time.  Do I listen to this music?  Participate in this group?  Get the vaccine?  Read this book?  etc...  My answer is always the same.  Does whatever you are deciding about draw you into a deeper relationship with God and a greater dependence on Him or does it pull you toward...

Time to lighten up!  It is hard not to laugh at a baby with uncontrollable giggles!  Sometimes the silliest of jokes will make us laugh!  When life hands us lemons, make lemonade!  Laughing in the face of adversity changes things!  Proverbs 31:25 (NIV) says, “She is clothed with strength and dignity;  she can laugh at the days to come.” What can you laugh about today...

When we are faced with pressures from all around, we tend to start sorting the levels of pressure and the priority of action steps.  We get focused on the challenges with even more intention and purpose.  Unfortunately, this method is the fastest way to spiral downward and out of control.   Rather then allow ourselves to do this, we must pause and focus on God's promises.  Jame...

You may be the only Bible that someone reads.  Do you want them to see anger, resentment, hurt and frustration in you or would you prefer they see peace, gentleness and self-control?  When your trust is betrayed or you are disrespected, are you quick to forgive or do you simmer in your feelings?  As Jesus hung on the cross after being beaten, rejected, spit on and verbally attacked,...

Did you fill in the blank with "me"?  Is this a motto you live by?  Do you think that in order to have what you want you must believe in yourself to make it happen?  Are you self-reliant or God-dependent?   Our lives are an open book test.  Are we looking up the answers or relying on what we already know?  Are we trying to blend what we have learned from the world wit...

How strong is your desire to sit at God's head table and hear, "well done, my good and faithful servant!"   Sacrificing our wants and desires isn't easy but it is doable when you have a willingness to serve God with all your heart.  Making difficult choices and walking away from your vision to step into God's vision doesn't always feel comfortable.   When we give up our goals and fo...

Do you find yourself questioning whether it is God or you?   When you "hear" from God are you able to check it against the Bible?  God won't contradict His word.  Are you going over and over and over it in your mind?  God doesn't obsess with the problem or situation.  He wants us to speak to the problem!  Are you fearing what you will lose out on or miss having or are...

Do you sweat the small stuff?  Do you find yourself losing your patience from your kids being kids?  Do you get anxious when you haven't yet heard back from the Dr.'s office or the job interview? Or, could you be like I was the other day when my husband came home and I was cleaning up a mess....  What is most important to you?  Proverbs 14:29 says "Patience leads to an abundant...

Many of us have a superficial knowledge of the Bible.  We know stories and concepts and have a few scriptures memorized.  However, if you don't internalize and apply the information, there isn't any meaningful connection made and it remains superficial and without significance.  Take time to not only read scripture but use it to change the way you are thinking and feeling!  Whe...

We have all either heard or participated in gossip.  It is fun.  It is interesting.  We all like to be "in the know".  However, gossip is a sure way to ruin your reputation and integrity.   Proverbs 18:7-8 tells us that rumors are "tasty morsels" and that the mouth gets you into trouble.   Proverbs 21:23 tells us to keep our mouth shut and we will stay out of trouble....

Fear paralyzes where faith mobilizes!  Fear stops you in your tracks, but faith moves you forward!  Following God is risky business.  Fear won't allow you take risks.  What fears do you have?  Do you fear cancer, death and dying?  Do you fear losing a job, your finances or your relationship?  Do you fear failure in your business or never having enough?  What...

Change is happening all around us.   What doesn't change?  God never changes. (Malachi 3:6)  His love never changes.(Psalm 136:26)  His word never changes. (Matt. 24:35. Isaiah 40:8)  His purpose never changes. (Psalm 33:11)  And, most importantly, His promises never change. (Hebrews 6:17-18)  P- Is your position firmly planted in the word of God or in your comfo...

We depend on so many things.  We depend on our phones to work, our internet to be connected and secure, our cars to start, our partners to be there for us, etc...But what happens when something happens?   What happens when the battery dies, the car breaks down, the person we relied on breaks our trust?   In most situations, God is the last resort when we have tried everything e...

Why is it so hard to follow God's will for our lives?   Why do we get tired of being obedient?  Why do we want to control the outcomes?   Why do we lose patience in the process?  Romans 12:2 (ESV) says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perf...

Rejection is part of life.  There was no one more rejected than Jesus.  In fact, many of us are in positions, like Jesus, that make us targets for rejection and disapproval.  How do you handle it?  Do you point fingers and blame?  Do you withdraw and sink into the background?  When you feel "less than", are you shaken?  Do you feel trampled on by others?  No...

Does frustration upset you or inspire you?  When you hit red lights on the way to work or get to the store to find out the item you need is out of stock, do you complain about it for hours and with everyone you know?  Do you justify your frustrations to give them credibility or do you honestly seek to understand the other perspective?  What if you embraced and welcomed frustrations...

Passive responses rarely compel you to take action.  Powerful responses inspire you and propel you into action!  Does scripture cause you take action or is it more of a sentiment, thought or idea that causes you to reflect, but changes nothing? Living a life by God's design requires application and practice of God's word.  Philippians 4:9 reminds us that scripture should be SEEN in...

Feelings always follow actions.   We typically follow this cycle:  Thought-feeling-action.  Instead, why not try: Thought-action-feeling. Staying convicted to the right action takes intentional effort.  Physical: 1 Corinthians 6:19- Our body is a temple  Career/Business: Colossians 3:23- Work as if God is your CEO Money: Genesis 9:3- God is our provision  Spiritual: J...

Limitations are a byproduct of imitations.  When you are "plagiarizing" someone else you aren't impressing God at all.  Can you tell the difference between the real and the fake?  Others can too.  When you lack authenticity in your words and actions, you lack credibility.  Galatians 6:4 (MSG) says, "Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given...

When tragedy strikes, we ask God, "why"?    Our human limitations do not allow us to see the full picture or plan.  Questions are expected when there is uncertainty or unknown situations that arise.  God expects the questions, but He also expects us to trust Him.   Hebrews 11:6 (Living Bible) says, "You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Any...

Do you strive for external approval and recognition or do you seek God's whisper of "well done!"   John 5:41-44 (MSG) says,   “I’m not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda. I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another c...

An expectation is thought to be a “desired outcome”, but it actually is a pre-meditated bitterness or resentment. Having clear expectations doesn't always mean it will work out. Creating expectations that benefit you and the other (s) involved is key to a successful result. Relying on God instead of man is the daily goal. When your perceptions and beliefs align with His, things change.

Do you micro-manage or do you empower?  Are you afraid of failing or of letting someone else fail?  Failure is never fatal.  If it was, Jesus would not have chosen Peter to be in charge of building the church.  (Matthew 16:18)  Here are some practical ways we can empower others!

Stress is often considered negative and harmful to our health.  However, when we take our stress to God first (Matthew 6:33) it can propel us into creative action!  Internalizing stress leads to a focus on self.  This focus creates fear, worry, anxiety, etc.  Let's discover how to turn our stress into energy that moves us to positive action!  Serve God, serve others, make...

The enemy is on the prowl looking for anyone he can devour!  (1 Peter 5:8) Will you let him?  The enemy wants you to focus on what you don't have or what you could miss out on, so you must hold on to your vision and the promises of God. Get up and FIGHT!   The enemy has no authority over you or your life!