Embracing the Grief that Connects Us In the Valley of Death With arms outstretched on the hill An American chestnut tree stands resurrected. Silently she draws new life from an old, dead stump Where her ancestors died with blighted roots a hundred years ago. She bears witness to the graves lying stoneless in her valley.…
Anxious for Nothing: Cling to Christ
The phrase “fruitless and fret filled” describes too many of us. We don’t want it to. We long to follow Paul’s admonition: Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. — Philipians 4:8 NLT With a…
Captivating: Healing the Wound of Our Feminine Hearts
I didn’t know just what was wrong with me, Till your love helped me name it. – Aretha Franklin Down those old ancient streets, Down those old ancient roads, Baby there together we must go Till we get the healing done. – Van Morrison Just an hour ago, a hummingbird was trapped in our garage. They come here to…
I Am Provided For
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? — Matthew 6:26 I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of…
What Good Does Worry Do?
Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? — Matthew 6:27 As someone has observed, worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but it will never get you anywhere! Our pressure-packed world offers countless opportunities for anxiety, anguish, and, in a word, worry. No…
Get Outside! Worshipping God and Celebrating His Creation as a Family
One of my goals for the upcoming year is to find new ways to incorporate worship into all aspects of my family’s life. Praising God should naturally overflow into every aspect of our lives! Psalm 19:1 says that: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. The more…
Do Not Worry: One Day at a Time
READ: Matthew 6:25-34 It’s easy to fall into the worry trap, especially in times of trial. We often get out ahead of ourselves and ahead of God as we attempt to predict the many ways a trial may pan out. A typical human response to bad news tends to move automatically to a state of…
I’m So Over Winter… Or So I Thought!
By the end of January here in the Midwest, winter has usually worn out its welcome. The cold has been around for what seems like forever, and below-freezing temperatures have kept us inside for far too long. And that whole routine of getting the kiddos dressed and bundled up to head outside? Yeah, I’m so…