Have you ever read the familiar verse, Be still and know that I am God. — Psalm 46:10 and wondered: Well, how, then do I manage my chaotic life, my disobedient children, or that project at work that my boss expects me to complete if I want to receive a promotion. Does “cease striving” (as…
Broken and Beautiful: Psalm 103
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. — Psalm 103:11-12 You may feel that something inside you is broken because of your sin, and…
Unanswered Prayers
It’s easy to slip into the mentality that we somehow fell through the cracks of God’s good plans. Things are too final. The ink is too dry. The page has been turned. Their heart is too hard. Your heart is too hurt. The doctors have said impossible. The account is too bankrupt. The biological clock…
Death Is Temporary
Death has been swallowed up in victory. — 1 Corinthians 15:54 NIV Barring the return of Christ, you will have one final moment… a last gasp, a final pulse. Your lungs will empty, and your blood will still. What will you be after you die? Answers vary, but Christianity posits a startling idea: “Death has been…
Renovation
During my engagement, I bought a house in a nice area just south of Nashville. I was ready to settle down and decorate and get rid of my beanbags and mismatched furniture. Be a grown-up. Finally! I was eager to move on and focus on things like marriage and making music and coming off…
Expect the Unexpected
Introduction Kirk and Ashleigh were in their late twenties and already knew the heartbreak of bad news. After three years of tests, procedures, and tears, they sat with the doctor as he explained that they would not be able to conceive. They had reached the end of their medical options. They would have to adjust…
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…
Why God Allows Trial and Temptation
God allows temptation and trial because they can be good for us. Seriously? Yep. The same Greek and Hebrew words are used in Scripture for both temptation and trial. The distinction depends on intent and motivation. Is the difficult situation for the purpose of tearing down? It’s a temptation. Is it for the purpose of…
One Woman’s Trash: Potential and Redemption
I find a thrill and great satisfaction in buying a special piece at a bargain that’s just right for my home. I love pointing at my chandelier and declaring, “I paid $4 for that at a yard sale!” There is a certain pride that can be found in discovering potential. I almost relish the moments…
Hope: God’s Math Works Differently
Two years out of West Point, Lieutenant Sam Brown was on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device turned his Humvee into a Molotov cocktail. He doesn’t remember how he got out of the truck. He does remember rolling in the sand, slapping dirt on his burning face, running in circles, and finally dropping to his…
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