Sometimes, I miss the daily life I shared with my kids when they were young, with its abundant opportunities to participate daily in their flourishing and be a buffer against the world's harsher realities. Now, every goodbye reminds me of my new role and what it means for my faith.
Read MoreI often plan not out of wisdom and prudence but to reduce anxiety about the future. But no amount of good planning prepares me for "rogue waves," unanticipated and unwanted events that hit me out of nowhere.
Read MoreRemaining strong to the end as a Christian and standing firm in the faith despite the inevitable funguses, infections, attacks, and storms in life is not something we can do alone.
Read MoreThere’s more to the act of celebrating than meets the eye. I learned this lesson through a hard experience when I was thirteen.
Read MoreThe only reasons we need to make prayer a top priority each day are because God said to pray, and Jesus modeled it. But, as I examine my prayer life, I find other vital reasons for praying. Here are a few.
Read MoreAs humans, we can be so impacted by fear that we hide or shrink back when new opportunities arise. Fear can be one of the most significant barriers to accomplishing anything: we worry about failing, disappointing others, being laughed at, or even mocked.
Read MoreSheep can become cast on their backs in several ways, and so can we. In the spiritual realm, casting is a state of being discouraged in one’s soul.
Read MoreEven after becoming a Christian, I remained a diehard subscriber to the world's notion that romantic love was the ultimate treasure in the quest for earthly joy and wholeness.
Read MoreAn encouraging reminder for those times when it feels like we are spiritually stagnating: God is always at work, even when we can’t see it.
Read MoreWe long for quiet time - yet when silence comes, we are tempted to fill it with more noise. What might we experience if we embrace the occasional silent night?
Read MoreWhat if, instead of being thankful only for earthly blessings and relationships, we dove into the deepest well of gratitude?
Read MoreWhen I chose to stop attending church at age 19, I had no idea what I was giving up. One of those things was the spiritual growth that only comes through worshipping, praying, learning, and gathering with other Christians.
Read MoreWe don’t develop separation anxiety - we are born with it. But the unease and stress that comes when we lose earthly loves – not just people, but beloved pets and even treasured comfort objects – illuminates our most significant need and longing.
Read MoreLike waves of water and light, our words and actions have consequences. They ripple forward, but thankfully, also backward - all the way to the cross.
Read MoreThough I have spent tremendous energy banking on earthly things to anchor me, I have been known to casually release, or hold loosely, my trust in God.
Read MoreHow do we stop our minds from fretting and restlessness over problems we can’t solve? Should we shrug our shoulders and give up? What does God expect of us?
Read MoreBecoming a parent was like stepping forward and realizing the floor was missing. Being a mother was not what I had expected, and I was ill-prepared. But now, when I step into the unknown, I have a secret weapon.
Read MoreFear can wreck our empathy and derail our compassion. I wonder what would have become of us if Jesus had been too afraid to show compassion…if He had not gone to the cross.
Read MoreIn the midst of a car accident is not the best time to consider whether or not Jesus is who He says He is. But that’s what my husband did 25 years ago.
Read MoreOne day during the pandemic, I opened my mailbox, expecting to find the usual junk mail and bills. Instead, I was surprised to see a vase containing lovely miniature daisies and a beautifully written note from a friend.
Read More
