Ashley Boulais

I remember hearing once that nothing kills joy like comparison.  That is exactly the premise of Kay Wills Wyma's latest book,  "I'm Happy for You."  In twelve chapters and two hundred five pages, Wyma describes a problem that has existed from the beginning of time.  We're constantly measuring ourselves against everyone around us and either we end up feeling less-than or we get puffed up on selfish pride.   We even compare ourselves to better versions of ourselves - remembering times when we were thinner or our social calendars seemed fuller.  Everything we do becomes about marketing ourselves, and yet this constant comparison is keeping us from joy in our lives.  There is no one exempt from this epidemic, especially in the age of social media. The key to contentment?  Learning to be genuinely happy for others,  even when it is difficult to do so. The key is literally in the title of the book.  How to say,  "I'm happy for you"...

Best-selling author JoAnna Weaver has recently released a new Bible study series and Study Guide in addition to her book entitled "Lazarus Awakening."  In this eight week series, which is filmed in the Holy Land, she retells with a unique perspective the story of Mary, Martha AND Lazarus.  Each of us,  she explains, has a bit more in common with Lazarus than we might realize.  We are bound in the death clothes of fear and doubt and Jesus is calling us out of our proverbial tombs and into life with Him. Each of the eight videos is about twenty minutes in length.  The study guide includes a follow-along lesson with practical application, journaling prompts, Scripture memorization, fill-in-the-blanks, and space for reflection.  In addition, the lessons DO require reading from her original book.  Since I didn't have that, there were gaps in my study, but I still believe the curriculum is valuable on its own.  If you are a leading a study, there are a...