One spring day, I sat in my backyard with my friend Suzy and our kids. While we relaxed in lawn chairs, sipping lemonade, a few of the children played on the swing set. The rest sat at our bright yellow children’s picnic table, purchased just days earlier. They were happily creating masterpieces on the pages…
Praying for Physical Health, Safety, and Security for Your Children
Praying for Physical Health, Safety, and Security for Your Children “Lord, Why Did This Happen?” I know I’m not the only mother who has ever questioned God’s tactics. Even my “spiritual giant” friend, Susan, found herself wondering what was up when her son Michael started suffering from violent stomach pains. Their pediatrician had dismissed…
The Only Love That Never Fails
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. — Zephaniah 3:17 ESV If you’ve ever heard me give my testimony, you know part of what I…
Every Word Matters: Love
We named our daughter Love because I firmly believe that there is nothing on earth that is more powerful than love. Love is powerful because of its strength to bind us together, and it is just as powerful because of its vulnerability as it guides us to be more open and honest with one another…
Living the Blessing
We get it that many people today are spiritually homeless when it comes to a church or doing much with their faith. But the Blessing is all about getting to know and love Jesus — whose love and blessing we’re going to be living out with others. He modeled loving people well — blessing them.…
4 Ways to Honor God on Valentine’s Day
I love loving the people who are special to me. I love all things sweet and sappy and sentimental. I love red puffy hearts and pink shiny bows and glittery Valentine cards. I love heart-shaped pancakes in the morning, heart-shaped sandwiches at lunch and heart-shaped pizzas for dinner. I love presents covered in heart wrapping paper…
And Lo, the Kingdom of God is Like a Terrible Football Team
My son is like me. He’s not much into athletics. But we signed him up for a flag-football league when he was in sixth grade. My wife told me the league needed someone to coach my son’s team, the Rams, and I told her, point-blank, I would not be doing it. I know nothing about…
To Love and to Cherish
Love is the muscle of marriage. Cherish is the heart of marriage. — Gary Thomas “To love and to cherish… till death do us part.” How many of us said these vows on the day we were married? Whether we spoke with a nervous, shaky voice or a confident, exuberant promise, most of us —…
Creative Love: A Lifetime Warranty
Safeguarding Your Love Story Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. — Romans 12:9-10 NIV Audrey Have you ever bought a warranty for something only to realize that when you needed to utilize that warranty, it…
Devotions to Learn the Life-Altering Love of God
Editor’s Note: It’s a new year and it’s time to form more consistent daily rhythms. One of our newest 90-day devotionals might help do the trick. God Above All is a unique devotional that will take us through 90 days of some of Fourth-century philosopher and theologian St. Augustine’s most influential works. Here’s a…