I met Cindy when she was the producer’s assistant on one of my early records (yes, records… it was a while ago!). The minute I met her, I knew we’d be friends for life. She made me laugh like few others ever have. I loved her goofy sense of humor. As our friendship deepened over…
The Grace of Your Story
I have been incredibly privileged. I grew up a pastor’s kid at a huge church in Houston, Texas. I was raised in a Christian home by two incredibly loving parents who worked very hard to provide everything we could possibly need. I have two beautiful sisters and a big brother whom I adore. We weren’t…
Hoping in Our Sovereign God
Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the…
Strengthened to Believe, Wait, and Love
Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you. — Hebrews 13:5 Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. — Hebrews 2:18 God says: See Jesus, still incarnate as a human but no longer on earth, still the crucified One with nail-scarred hands and feet…
I Wanted to Pray But Had No Idea What to Say
Darkness Closes In Die before you die. There is no chance after. — C. S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces Sudden and tragic loss leads to terrible darkness. It is as inescapable as nightmares during a high fever. The darkness comes, no matter how hard we try to hold it off. However threatening, we must…
Real Christmas Trees
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. — Matthew 15:8 Nothing says the holidays quite like a Christmas tree. It’s the centerpiece of our Christmas decorations, swathed in beautiful lights and cherished ornaments Take a moment and picture the Christmas tree of your childhood. Was it prickly and…
The Purpose of Prayer
The function of prayer is… to change the nature of the one who prays. — Søren Kierkegaard Scripture shows us many types of interactions with God. We see Jacob wrestling with God for hours, and Job overcome with doubt and bitterness in His presence. We see Moses’ fearful excuses and Jonah’s stubborn resistance. Then…
Hope During Unemployment
I lost my job! I was jolted by my husband’s words. Later that morning when he arrived home, I hugged him, then listened to him share the details of this unexpected happening. His position was eliminated due to budget cuts in defense spending. I encouraged him to take time to grieve the loss of his job. Over the…
Are You Painting Your Masterpiece with My Pain?
Honest Prayers for The Darkest Times Dear God, I was making a list of things I know for sure, but when I went to write “God loves me,” I couldn’t — it felt like a lie. I believe You love me, but I don’t know it. I think You do. Your book says You…
Think Like a Girl: Believe in a Good God
Happiness and the Higher Power Agent An aspect of agency that influences happiness is whether you believe in a force that acts in the world and causes events to happen — that is, God. When something positive happens to you, you attribute that to a higher power. When something negative happens to you, you interpret…