The story of Christmas doesn’t begin the way you probably think it does. It doesn’t begin with angels announcing the birth of a savior. It doesn’t begin with a young couple on an out-of-town trip trying to find a place to stay as the woman goes into labor. It begins all the way back in…
Grabbing the Lifeline of Hope
We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God… — Hebrews 6:18-19 The Message I am haunted by this passage. The promised hope.…
In Between Despair and Joy
So far as we know, there has only been one day in the last two thousand years when literally not one person in the world believed Jesus was alive. On Saturday morning after Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples wake after not having slept for two days. The city that was screaming for blood the day before is quiet. Crowds…
7 Last Sayings of Jesus on the Cross
7 Last Sayings of Jesus on the Cross Throughout this Lenten season, Christians around the world are focusing on the gift of Salvation. Remembering the agony experienced by Jesus in His death on the Cross, crucified by Roman soldiers is so profound, isn’t it? In the final hours of His earthly time, as Jesus hung…
HE IS RISEN: Alive and Victorious!
HE IS RISEN: Alive and Victorious! “Which person, alive or dead, would you choose to talk with over coffee, and why?” The question came from a group of ladies whose church conference I would be speaking at in a few months. They thought it would be fun to include some trivia in the program. The…
Good Friday and Children: Making the Cross Real to Your Kids
Teaching children about Good Friday isn’t easy, especially if you’re talking with younger children. How do you explain why Jesus had to die? That Jesus knew ahead of Good Friday that he would die? And the true meaning of the cross as Jesus’ sacrifice for our ultimate salvation? Teaching children about Good Friday isn’t easy,…
Gospel-Centered Easter Traditions For the Family
I love the whimsy and magic of Easter. I like hiding Easter baskets, picking out new dresses, and gathering a gaggle of kids for a good old egg hunt. But as fun as these traditions are, they pale in comparison to rich traditions that bring to life the Gospel. As a mom, I treasure…
Satan Stalked Him
He faced all of the same temptations we do. — Hebrews 4:15 You and I know what it is like to endure a moment of temptation or an hour of temptation, even a day of temptation. But forty days? That is what Jesus faced. The Spirit led Jesus into the desert where the devil tempted Jesus for forty…
What If Your Child Received a Letter from God?
Easter Love Letters Social media and texting are great ways to communicate with one another. iMessage makes it easy to stay in touch with friends while Instagram connects us with people we wouldn’t have otherwise met. Technology is fantastic; however, it has slowly replaced more meaningful contact such as face-to-face conversations and handwritten letters.…
Pancake Day
Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” — Matthew 26:36 The day before Lent begins is known by several names. The official name is Shrove Tuesday, but some refer to it as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. Another…