Draw near to Me with a thankful heart, aware that your cup is overflowing with blessings. Gratitude enables you to perceive Me more clearly and to rejoice in our Love-relationship. Nothing can separate you from My loving Presence! That is the basis of your security. Whenever you start to feel anxious, remind yourself that…
2021: All Is Not Lost
I’m a self-professed choir nerd. Or I used to be. The melodies of a choral ensemble warming up before state competitions are the most memorable soundtracks of my high school years. Show choir, girls’ pop, quartet — you name the combination, I wanted to sing in it. Rarely a stand-alone soloist, I was at…
God Has a New Name for You in the New Year
I’ve been a Christian a long time. I remember praying the sinners prayer many times in hopes that God would extend ongoing grace and forgiveness to me and accept me as His daughter. After some time, I learned I didn’t have to pray this prayer over and over again, and I discovered that God adopted…
New Year, New Family Routine
As families with growing children, we often have to evaluate the family routine. Our children change fast, and as parents, we have to navigate and set the pace for our families. It can feel tricky, but as my family has rolled through quite a bit of different seasons, there’s a few questions that I ask…
Grateful That God Makes a Way
Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. — Isaiah 43:19 In the classic Broadway musical and film The Sound of Music, the Reverend Mother sends Maria away from the convent to…
Groomed: Overcoming the Lies that Shaped our Past and Stepping into a Limitless New Year
I’ve spent more than a decade working with American survivors of sex trafficking — precious young girls who, before they had everything stolen, lived a lot like my daughter or yours. When I first started working with them, I thought I was there to help them, but the more I listened to their stories, the…
3 Prayers for Joy and Gratitude
Thank You for Joy! The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. — Psalm 19:8 Dear Jesus, Sometimes I crave the unbridled joy of childhood. I remember how it felt to pedal my bike fast, wind whipping through my…
Overflowing with Blessings
Draw near to me with a thankful heart, aware that your cup is overflowing with blessings. Gratitude enables you to perceive Me more clearly and to rejoice in our Love-relationship. Nothing can separate you from My loving Presence! That is the basis of your security. Whenever you start to feel anxious, remind yourself that your…
10 Tips for a Joy-Filled Life
Dear Friend, I wrote Jesus Always, my new 365-day devotional, with a desire to help readers live a joy-filled life. No matter what is happening in our world, we Christians can find Joy in Jesus. I want to share with you 10 tips to help you approach every day joyfully. Each tip includes an excerpt…