by Carolyn Pereira | Mar 6, 2022 | Fasting, Seasonal Reflections
Growing up the focus was always on making sure we were fed. We lived, laughed, and loved around the table. Meals were everything and treats were the solution to every problem as well as the perfect means of celebrating every joyful moment. We had a generous, loving,...
by Carolyn Pereira | Mar 1, 2022 | Endurance, Seasonal Reflections, When life is Hard |
Is it even possible to Embrace a Cross? We all have crosses. Maybe they are objectively horrible, or only intolerable to us. But we all suffer and it is always more than we can handle. Matthew 16:24 exhorts: “Take up your cross…” and yet our tendency...
by Carolyn Pereira | Mar 1, 2022 | Seasonal Reflections
When I say “Lent is my favorite season” or “I’m so excited for Lent to start!” people look at me like I’m crazy. Am I crazy? Maybe a little masochistic (in the eyes of the world)? Or is there just a secret that most of the world...
by Carolyn Pereira | Feb 28, 2022 | Seasonal Reflections
What is the real Purpose of Lent? Why do we have this season anyway? Why all the focus on “sacrifice”? Why do we fast? How do we decide what to “give up” or what to do? Why make resolutions anyway? It is true that Lent encourages us to make...
by carolynpereira1311@hotmail.com | Feb 23, 2022 | Seasonal Reflections
Do you dislike Lent? Does it feel like a season for annoying rules and complaining? Do your good intentions feel somehow unappreciated or worthless? Does your extra prayer or acts of service seem empty, aimless or uncertain? Hatred for Lent seems to be an...
by carolynpereira1311@hotmail.com | Feb 17, 2022 | Discernment, Seasonal Reflections
How can you be sure that your Lenten resolutions this year have you on the right track? Will you be able to accomplish them? How do you gauge if you had a “good” Lent? What is necessary to “have a good Lent”? So, many questions, one simple answer. Let God...
by carolynpereira1311@hotmail.com | Feb 8, 2022 | Christian Goal Setting, Personal Growth, When life is Hard
I guess experience makes me qualified to write about failure. From where I sit, when I look at the grand scheme of all my plans, by all outward appearance at this moment in my life, I am one. I’ve worked for many years to learn all the S.M.A.R.T. things and do all the...
by carolynpereira1311@hotmail.com | Feb 5, 2022 | Personal Growth, Prioritizing your life |
Goals are supposed to be a tool to help us align our actions with our priorities and make us make progress towards what matters to us. Sounds good right? Well, then why do we so often fail at our goals? Or better yet, when we succeed at them, why do they leave us...
by carolynpereira1311@hotmail.com | Jan 3, 2022 | Personal Growth, Relationship with God
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ~ Matthew 11:29 Humility is so “unpopular”. It is literally the opposite of everything we believe to be good as a society right now:...
by carolynpereira1311@hotmail.com | Sep 19, 2021 | Endurance, Self Care, When life is Hard
Is Self-Care compatible with Christian Death-to-Self? This question is especially important in a culture where self-care is preached as the solution to every problem and depression is still at an all time high. Are we just not doing enough “self-care”?...