Buzz. Buzz. Michelle’s cell phone vibrated twice on her night stand. It was a text coming in at 12:40 a.m. I was zonked out and the sound barely registered with me. “Jeff, Jeff, wake up. Look.” It was a text from my seventeen-year-old son’s ex-girlfriend: “Please check on Neal. He sent me this photo.” It…
Unwavering: Living with Defiant Joy Week 4 — Expectant Hope
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her! — Luke 1:45 He has promised that we can have joy in the midst of everything that life is throwing at us. ~ Stasi OBS Friends, You’re half-way through the Unwavering: Living with Defiant Joy Online Bible Study! Last week…
Six Hours One Friday Online Bible Study Week Five — Let’s Celebrate!
It is finished. ~ Jesus. God has been known to plan a celebration in a cemetery. ~ Max Welcome to our final week of the Six Hours One Friday Online Bible Study! Thank you for joining us on this journey as we’ve prepared our hearts for the Holy Week. Together, we’ve delved into the meaning…
We Are Safe
Paul’s words in Romans 8:28-39 are the most compelling on the subject of preservation anywhere in Scripture. I say this for two reasons. First, their purpose is to teach preservation. Second, this is the most extensive biblical passage teaching that God keeps his saints. Familiar words lead off: And we know that in all things…
What Should We Teach Our Kids About Friendship?
People who know me say that I’m friendly and hospitable. Often, I’m asked to reach out to others because I have a knack for making people feel safe, cared about and loved. Extending hospitality and compassion to others is always a blessing, but may I let you in on a little secret? The reason…
A Beautiful Ending
The emperor of China had a problem. Something was destroying his mulberry trees. So he did what any brilliant man does when faced with a problem he can’t handle: he turned it over to his wife! When Empress Ce Ling Shee looked at the trees, she noticed a moth laying eggs on the mulberry leaves,…
Overcoming Hopelessness
Overcoming Hopelessness The Bible emphasizes faith, hope, and love as our three essentials. Each is necessary for a vibrant faith, they are different from each other but are related. They are like three sisters. Hope says “I know things will work out, I just don’t know how or when!” Her sister Faith says, “Things have…
Praying through a Health Crisis
This is what the Lord… says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. — 2 Kings 20:5 Leslie pushed her way through the hospital’s double doors, searching for her son-in-law’s familiar face. She had jumped in the car as soon as she got Sam’s phone call; now, more than…
When the Unexpected Betrays
Forgiving Freely Loss is the uninvited door that extends us an unexpected invitation to unimaginable possibilities. — Craig D. Jonesborough I once had a dear friend whom I loved wholeheartedly and with whom I shared so many fun times. We had endless heart-to-heart talks about God, ministry, life, family, fashion, movies, books, food, and of…
It All Ends Alright with God’s Promises
In all things God works for the good of those who love Him. — Romans 8:28 NIV Haman had it out for the Israelites. We read about his story in the book of Esther. A few hundred years earlier, the Israelites had defeated Haman’s people, the Amalekites. Haman was an Amalekite carrying a huge grudge…