Suggested reading from the Editor's personal library.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “I’m living my best life”? Maybe it was said by someone who’s retired, traveling, living at the beach, or whose life responsibilities have greatly diminished. It could also be someone with a new home, job, spouse, or empty nesters. But, what do all of these “best lives” have in common?

It’s easy to get an attitude these days. 

Especially the American Christian. You know what I’m saying.

We’re so greatly misunderstood, misrepresented, mischaracterized, and mistaken for others posing as Jesus-followers that we’re becoming Gordian knots searching for some new label for our relationship with Jesus.

My daughter recently started running and training for her first half marathon. At first, she struggled to find the right shoes. Despite trying several pairs, the pain persisted. After consulting with a professional, the cause of her pain was identified. The professional recommended the appropriate footwear which, thankfully, alleviated her discomfort. 

I didn’t need an alarm. The howling wind outside made the early morning hours difficult to sleep. Throwing back the sheets, I begrudgingly rolled out of bed. 

My morning routine felt as chaotic as the winds outside. Even my quiet time was harried. The demands on my calendar vied for my attention, and the weight of responsibilities taunted me like a schoolyard bully hiding in the shadows.

At Lighthouse for Life, we believe in the power of truth, hope, and education to transform lives. That’s why we’re excited to introduce The Light, a new blog dedicated to bringing awareness to the realities of sex trafficking and inspiring our community to stand together against it.

Did you marry your best friend, or do you just like to say you married your best friend?

It's very popular to declare some version of “My spouse is my best friend” or “I’m so blessed I got to marry my best friend.” I fully believe that those who claim it really think they mean it. But, for so many husbands and wives who want it to be true, it’s likely to be less of a reality than they may think.

As the first day of school approached, I began seeing Facebook posts for an event called DayONE—a women’s prayer event for all Lexington One moms. This event was scheduled for the first day of school at a local church. I decided to take a step of faith and attend after I dropped off my kids. 

That one hour of prayer changed my life.

Bridge the G.A.P.is a prayer initiative hosted by Living Real Magazine. At Living Real Magazine, we feel it’s imperative that we pray for the children — and for those who have influence over them — in our educational spaces.

As each new JCPenney catalog arrived, I’d flip through the nursery bedding section to dog-ear the pages showing bears and balloons. Those were my favorites. Even though the designs I chose would change occasionally, my physical state didn’t.

A poem by Christie Warnken

No crazy cleanses. No radical detoxes. Just real, everyday ways to support your liver.

I love this Scripture: I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:14, ESV). The Lord truly designed our bodies in the most remarkable way. One of the greatest examples of His handiwork is the liver—a vital organ which quietly serves us day and night.

For most of my adult life, I believed financial peace would come when I finally accumulated “enough.”

Suggested reading from the Editor's personal library.

Faith is not some trendy church word used by Christ-followers, or a word to be tossed around in a casual manner. Isaiah 6:7b says, If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all. God takes our faith in Him very seriously and we should, too.

The Bible is a treasure, taken for granted by many, but deeply appreciated by others.

I overheard someone mention the name of the woman playing guitar: Toni Rypkema. How could I forget a name like that? Without hesitation, I stepped across the courtyard and introduced myself. We laughed and were excited to finally meet. Little did I know, our brief encounter would be the first of many as she would become a dear friend.

Sex trafficking is not a crime of chance—it’s a business. And like any business, it thrives on demand. As long as there are people willing to pay for sex, traffickers will continue to supply victims.

What do you do when life throws you more losses than wins? Or when fear whispers a lie that cripples your confidence and steals your strength?

The smell of exhaust tickled Brittany’s little nose as she walked away from the big yellow school bus toward the house where she and her mom stayed. As she neared home, those big brown eyes searched frantically when she heard booming, angry voices.