How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Psalm 133 NIV Like ...
I stumbled down the stairs, willing myself to the downstairs bathroom. I've never understood the draw of the early morning hours and at seventeen years old, those hours were tortuous. Mornings provided predictability. Never a day went by when my parents weren't cozied up on the sofa engrossed in their morning devotional time, but this day ...
In the middle of Aldi’s frozen food aisle, I “did” church. Right in between the tater tots and frozen peas, I almost missed it. I’m so grateful I didn’t. Since I've been studying Scripture on imperfect hospitality, I’ve begged the Holy Spirit to heighten my awareness on the topic. After four decades of following Him, I’m having my own ...
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (NASB) It's All For Us Nothing about this was right. This is not right, I tell you. I can't just stand here as they mock my son, my Lord. How can I watch the soldiers divide his clothes and cast lots to see who will receive them? ...
Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing excerpts like this one from Craving Connection: 30 Challenges for Real-Life Engagement. We're excited to read through a few chapters, complete challenges, and experience our first (in)courage book alongside you! Each Tuesday we will share part of a chapter, as well as challenges we will all aim to ...
It's January: everything around me reminds me it's time to ring in 2017 with new beginnings, goals, dreams and a renewed vigor to all things. Brand new journals glisten with fresh pages eager to be conquered and the artistry and craftsmanship of the bullet journal allows creatives the organizational prowess that makes the rest of us yearn to ...
The phone rang and I knew it was someone calling about the party. My stomach sank and I got that nervous tummy feeling. You know that one that happens when you're tongue-tied and the words won't come? The one when multiple conversations play over in your head at breakneck speed, while you try and predict each outcome? Yes, I knew you understood ...
I heard through the grapevine it's a pretty big day in the US. I'm ready for my Facebook feed to be full of your dinner recipes and silly jokes. I never knew how much I'd miss those updates. As a political junkie with an abiding love for this country, my heart aches like many of yours, not just for the political climate, but even more so, the ...
“Honey, go home. You haven’t slept more than a few hours in five days. I’ll stay with him. Surgery is scheduled for 8:00 am. You need to sleep when you can,” murmured my husband. Tipping the newborn scales at 10.5 pounds, our five-day-old son snoozed soundly in his crib at Children’s Hospital. Diagnosed with the congenital birth disease, ...
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." {Genesis 50:20, NLT} The Puzzle As I dumped the puzzle pieces on the table, I challenged our pre-teen daughter to sort and assemble the one hundred piece puzzle without the box top picture. With purpose stirred, she ...
