Here’s a collection of some of my favorite worship songs….

With the new decree in effect, the Jews can release a sigh of relief. Mordecai now holds a prominent position in the palace and has a reputation known throughout the people. Chapter 9:4 describes Mordecai as becoming more and more powerful. However, I imagine Mordecai handled his newfound fame and fortune with grace and humility. I believe that's why he was there... God rewarded his faithfulness and obedience.

Week 4 ended with Zeresh giving Haman some much needed advice - to leave Mordecai alone. Choosing to pursue his destruction would mean the ruin of Haman. These were words Haman should have heard and heeded long before that moment, however in that same moment, Haman was swept off to have dinner with the king and Esther for a second time.

Week 3 ended with Esther calling for a group fast that would last for three days and three nights. This was something she did to bring the power of prayer to this grave situation facing her - a trip to see the king. It was also a way for her to get really in tune with God, to know His direction and guidance for this situation.

When we left off in Week 2, Haman has been promoted and Mordecai refuses to bow down and pay respect to Haman. When Haman finds out about Mordecai's disregard, he is angry. He then finds out that Mordecai is a Jew and becomes "scorned" and so angry that he convinces the king that there are people in the king's provinces that aren't following his commands.

After sending off his queen, Vashti, the search begins for her replacement. Mordecai's cousin Esther is described as "lovely in both form and features" (2:7) and is one of the many young virgins who are brought to the citadel to be in the king's harem, overseen by Hegai.

Xerxes is a successful ruler. He already had multiple conquests under his belt. When the story of Esther begins, we find him holding a "feast" for 180 days. The majority of this was held only for the elite inner circle and was probably where he spent time planning his attack on Greece and convincing his advisors that it was a good plan.

I am so excited to study the book of Esther together! This is by far one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament.  

Change is necessary but sometimes difficult. We can spot the areas in our life that need to change... finances, relationships, health & wellness. But getting real change to happen and stick is elusive. We meet it with frustration, with fear and apprehension and sometimes avoidance.

Making an impact comes easiest when we do so with our own unique selves. Tapping into our strengths, talents and gifts lets us offer to the world something only we can give. There's magic in that and there, in the middle of your uniqueness, you'll find confidence, worth and significance.

We know when someone is being resistant. We know when we're being resistant. It's that uncertainty of not wanting to jump in, reluctance to go for it, hesitation to try something new, the anxious feeling about stepping out of your comfort zone. But resistance can work in our favor...

Creating and keeping up with a budget doesn’t have to be hard. You can create a written budget with notebook paper.

So maybe you are wondering… “What am I here for?” Check out this video that will encourage you to uncover your purpose through the story of Esther in the Old Testament.

Three things are standing in your way of having a life you really love. These three things are major roadblocks to the growth and success you're looking for. However, while they stand to be deterrents, you can make pivotal changes that break down these obstacles.

Worry. Anxiety. Stress. We experience it all... sometimes more than others and sometimes worse than others. And while there's no way to completely eliminate worry from our lives, there is a way for it to not wreck our lives.