Grief isn’t a topic people like to talk about, but this side of eternity it’s paradoxically a part of life.

Lately, there has been a lot of talk within Christian Care Ministry about family. Maybe it is an annual topic at Christmas time and it is simply resonating with me as I’m missing my extended family this year due to restrictions.

More people have reported an increase in mental health struggles do to the trials of this past year, COVID-19, and social isolation. There are many factors that play a role in mental health and your physical health is one of them. Being conscious about your physical well being can have a direct correlation to how your body functions.

Christmas time calls for hot cocoa by an open fire, cozy snuggles, Christmas cookies, your favorite holiday movies, and decorating every inch of your house with lights and garland galore! It’s a peaceful season to spend quality time with family and reflect on all the beautiful moments we’ve been given.

This advent season of 2020, families have a unique opportunity to gather in their homes and prepare to celebrate the coming of the Son of God to earth in the form of a baby. One of the best ways to learn about Jesus and His incarnation is by reading God’s Word together. The inspired Scriptures were written to be read.

Our very own employee here at CCM, Valencia DeLoatch, is back with DIY Christmas festivities! Check out the other crafts she's shared with us in our previous blog, "Deck the Halls DIY Style"! In this blog, Valencia walks us through upgrading charger plates to enhance Christmas spirit! There are many reasons to change the look of a charger plate. Maybe you are looking for a specific color or maybe the item you saw in the store was outside of your budget. Whatever your reason, at the end of the project you will feel a sense of accomplishment because you have made something new with your sense of style in mind. Also, the great thing about paint is you can use any color specific to the time of the year. Red, green, and gold are my Christmas colors this year! 1. You will need the following items. Charger plate (textured plate is preferred) your choice of acrylic paint, sponge brush, and glitter is optional, but you can use any other kind of decorations that suit your fancy. 2. Apply the acrylic paint to the top of the charger plate only and use the sponge brush to evenly coat the plate. Be sure not to use too much paint; you can always go back and add more if needed. Let paint dry between each coat (look at directions on the paint bottle for drying time). 3. Once you have gotten your desired color, you can stop there or take it a step further and bring in your own personality. 4. Take the glitter glue color of your choice or loose glitter. Take a clean sponge brush and go around the outside of the charger plate. If you use loose glitter you will need to go around the edge of the plate with modge podge and then apply the loose glitter. 5. Here is my finished product. Be creative and add your own pizzazz or just use more glitter!

Medi-Share is a community of people who share one another’s burdens and walk through life together. One of the best parts about this community -- aside from saving up to 50% or more on monthly health care costs -- is how committed members are to supporting one another and praying for each other too.

[As appeared on The Star Tribune] Time and time again in the Bible, the people of God share their stories and the stories of God’s people. This is an important part of how God ministers to His people. Our tendencies to forget who we are, to forget who God is, and to forget what He has done for us are pervasive. When we remind each other of our stories and God’s stories, we start to take on the perspective that God has for us. It is difficult to feel alone when we remember all the times God has been by our side. It is difficult to feel afraid when we remember everything God has saved us from. It is difficult to feel unloved when we remember where we came from and what God sacrificed to get us to where we are.