“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” —Numbers 6:24-26 One of the best things about being a parent is getting to watch your child grow up. That’s also one of the…
The Dude’s Guide to Marriage: Listening to Your Wife
Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way. — 1 Peter 3:7 Women like it when you listen to them. They are funny that way. My wife often asks if I hear what she says: “Are you really listening to me?” Many times I’m not. I mean, I am, but I’m not. I…
Keep It Shut Bible Study
Sparks, Squabbles, Spats, and Such: Our Words Matter Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. – Proverbs 18:21 Editor’s Note: Words are one of the most powerful weapons we have. They can be a sharp sword or a soothing salve, both having the ability…
Beyond the Storm: Strategies to Keep Your Hope Alive
Editor’s note: We will face storms. But, how do we endure them well as Christians who hope in Jesus no matter the circumstances? After Hurricane Katrina, Pastor Debra Morton needed a playbook of faith for herself and for those she ministered to. Because pain happens. But we have a Savior who is the God of…
100 Days to Brave: You Can Be So Brave
You’re invited! We are launching Summer Book Club for the first time ever! We will be reading Annie F. Downs’s awesome new devotional 100 Days to Brave together and would love for you to join us in a journey towards courage, faith, confidence, and a deeper walk with Jesus. What if we were brave? What could happen?…
Watching Our Words
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. — Proverbs 18:21 Just the other day I received an email from a teacher that troubled me. She informed me that my son had said some not-so-nice things to a girl in his class and…
How to Let the Offense Go and Talk Yourself Happy
Recently, I was in a situation in which someone I trusted betrayed me. At a point in my life when I needed help the most and longed to surround myself with safe people, this person not only lied to my face but also took something from me that wasn’t theirs to take. I was so…
The Prayer of Blessing
One year I gave my six-year-old daughter, Amanda, a small, decorative box. Inside it I put a small piece of jewelry that she had been wanting for a long time. When she unwrapped the gift and saw the box, she squealed and remarked on every detail. “Oh, Mommy, this is so beautiful! Look at the…
The Power of Words
You don’t have to have a big nose to have heard the childhood mantra, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Just because it’s spouted by first graders doesn’t mean it’s true. Perhaps the adult translation of this age-old adage is more like, “Sticks and stones can bruise your body for a…
4 Ways to Make Your Daughters Feel Like a Princess
Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. – Matthew 25:34b My daughters and I recently snuggled together and read The Princess and The Three Knights by Karen Kingsbury. It’s story of a king who sets out to find a young man worthy of…