Who Am I? More than a decade ago, when Nick and I first began researching the possibility of establishing an anti-trafficking organization, we were given a terminal prognosis: impossible. The feasibility study from the consultants we’d hired used that word ten times in their report. Ten times. And opening an office in Thessaloniki? It was…
Praying When the Unexpected Disillusions and Hope Wanes
Hope Is an Act of Defiance I don’t know where your hope is struggling. Maybe your beleaguered hope is for… A loved one to be saved A child to come home A marriage to be restored Your body to be healed Your finances to be restored Your career to be revived A home of your…
You’re Invited to the Unexpected OBS!
You are good and what You do is good; teach me Your decrees. — Psalm 119:68 I believe with all my heart that it’s possible for every Christian to learn how to live with a faith so confident in a good God that it can’t be shaken — even when the ground underneath is giving…
Defiant Joy: Laugh It Up, Live It Out
Editor’s Note: Are you ready to say YES to joy? We are thrilled to announce that one of our very favorite singers — Mandisa! — will be hosting one of our most popular Online Bible Studies — Defiant Joy by Candace Payne (Hey, “Chewbacca Mom”!) — on Study Gateway! Come join the thousands of people who already…
The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi: Bethlehem
Where It All Began So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While…
God Says You Are Enough Because I Am
We are a generation of women who have never worked harder to have it all, yet go to bed most nights worrying that we aren’t enough. We are constantly asking “Why?” We are constantly measuring. It doesn’t matter if you’re single, if you’re married, if you’re rich, poor, old, young, in college, or out of…
Oh, My Lord, Please Send Someone Else
Editor’s note: Finding joy in life’s small moments brings purpose and power to each day – and God wants us to unpack each of these small acts of faithfulness into something bigger. Read this excerpt from Church of the Small Things by New York Times bestselling author Melanie Shankle and learn how a family dinner conversation…
Prayer: The Garden of Gethsemane
“Not My Will, but Yours” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” — Luke 22:41–42 Gethsemane means “oil press.” The Garden of Gethsemane is mentioned in Matthew 26:36: Then Jesus went…
You’re Invited to The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi OBS
Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. — Psalm 119:105 The Old Testament was written in ancient Hebrew. The New Testament was written in ancient Greek. We have to understand what the Word of God actually says in order to understand how to apply it to our lives…
You’re Invited to the In the Middle of the Mess OBS
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! — Psalm 27:13-14 ESV I discovered in my darkest moments that sometimes the most powerful prayer of all is just a…