Peace on Earth: Christmas in Cyprus

December 13, 2021 By Susan E. Brooks

At our Christmas gathering in Cyprus, Belal the “Philistine” brought poems dedicated to each of us. A Turbulent History I promise I’m not name-calling. That’s how our Palestinian friend introduced himself. My husband and I had moved to the tropical island of Cyprus to develop a cross-cultural training program to promote Muslim-Christian relations. Cyprus was a divided island with UN peacekeepers guarding a border that separated the Muslim Turks in the north section of the island from the Greeks living... Read more

It’s A Wonderful Life: 2 Lessons from the Movie

December 1, 2021 By Susan E. Brooks

Recently, I went to see a theatre production based on the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I love that movie. And I thoroughly enjoyed the creative take our local theater produced. A couple of things struck me as I watched a fresh take on this old classic. Holidays Are Stressful The holidays are wonderful, but they can also be stressful. This is true in 2021 more than ever, perhaps. Added to the usual stress of busyness, lack of sleep, and... Read more

Putting Children First May Be the Long-term Answer

November 17, 2021 By Susan E. Brooks

The simple—but not so simple—answer to society’s problems might be building healthy families. The other day I was listening to an interview with a man who had been recruited to extremism. He had encouraged hatred and harmed many through his promotion of ideologies that led to terrorism. He now deeply regrets his actions and is working to help others avoid or get out of the brainwashing he was subjected to. Though we are all responsible for our own actions, as... Read more

Use the Internet as a Catalyst—Then Get Off

November 10, 2021 By Susan E. Brooks

The internet is a wonderful, terrible invention, and we can choose to avail ourselves of the wonder or let it rob us of precious time. More so perhaps than any other time in history, we can choose to participate in almost anything, and we can find out how to pursue our dreams and goals more easily than we ever could. So I suggest we use the internet to find the information we need to catalyze our dreams, and then get... Read more

Seeing Beauty in the Rain: Emotions Are Godly

November 3, 2021 By Susan E. Brooks

Last week my husband and I had a couple of free days between busy schedules, so we decided to get away together to New Harmony, Indiana. As it turned out, the two days we were able to book, it rained quite a bit. We wanted to be outdoors anyway, and as we walked with our umbrellas, we saw so much beauty in the rain. Cultivating an Eye for Beauty I’m a sunshine kind of girl, but I hope I’m learning... Read more

We Are All So Loved: Resurrection Power

October 30, 2021 By Susan E. Brooks

In Ephesians 1:18-20, the Apostle Paul seems to be saying that God gives incredible hope and “power for us who believe.” We all need hope and power to make it through our days, but I’m skeptical of people who crave power, and also of Christians who claim to have a corner on the market of God’s power and blessing. But what does this verse mean? What do we know about God’s power in our lives and how do we... Read more

The Answer Is “Yes”: In Christ It Has Always Been “Yes”

October 26, 2021 By Susan E. Brooks

But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. — 2... Read more

Blessings We Have in Christ: Every Spiritual Blessing

October 20, 2021 By Susan E. Brooks

Occasionally, I need to be reminded of the blessings we have in Christ. Maybe you do too. Ephesians chapter 1 is a great place to start. In this letter in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul is writing to the people in Ephesus who were trying to follow the ways of Jesus. Everything We Need Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in... Read more

Stress and Anxiety: 3 Ways to Cope

October 15, 2021 By Susan E. Brooks

Stress and anxiety will always be with us—always have been, always will be, at least until we get to heaven. So, rather than wishing our troubles would end, we need to take positive action. Methods for coping with stress abound, but let’s focus on three: exercise, creative or productive work, and meditation or prayer. 1. Exercise Diminishes Stress and Anxiety We all know that exercise is good for us, but until we’re all doing it, we need to keep on... Read more

Don’t Let Fear Make Decisions for You: It’s Never Too Late

October 13, 2021 By Susan E. Brooks

When I was young, I loved acting, but I had so few opportunities. And since acting was a crazy dream most little girls entertained, I just stuffed the desire under other creative endeavors, thinking I would grow out of it. Then life seemed to move at warp speed from the time I got married right out of high school until one day I was turning forty. Fear of Running out of Time Suddenly, I began to think of all my... Read more