A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. — Proverbs 15:1 Often I can remember the turning point of a conversation when it went from good to bad or from bad to good. At times, I could hear the Holy Spirit warn me: “Stay calm, lower your voice, answer gently.…
How We Can Face the Hardest Things in Life
January 17th, 2018 transformed our lives. It was the day I (Patrick) heard the word cancer. “Would you spell that for me?” I asked the nurse over the phone. My head was already spinning. Heart pounding. I scribbled a word that I had, until now, never heard before onto the only scrap piece of paper…
The Maturity Question
What is the wise thing to do? What is the wise thing for me to do? We’ve never met, but here’s something I know about you. Your greatest regret… And I’m talking about that moment of regret. The moment you would give anything to go back and relive or undo. The tipping point. The point…
Praying for Your Child’s Use of Technology
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. — Philippians 4:8 At first glance, our family room looks idyllic. Hundreds of books — titles I think of as classics — line the…
You’re Invited to the One Thousand Gifts Online Bible Study
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; Give thanks to Him and praise His name. — Psalm 100:4 “Giving thanks for what is, creates an appetite for more—not for more things, but for seeking more of God.” ~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts God is always good, and I am always loved.…
Journal, Pray, Reflect, and Connect with God
Editor’s note: Have you heard about The Weekly Prayer Project? It’s part book, part journal with a challenge to spend 52 weeks in prayer and daily Bible meditation. It’s a fantastic way to connect with God, pray, reflect, and journal our prayer journeys. The topics in The Weekly Prayer Project are centered around 7 different…
You Are Never Alone Week 1 — God Is with You in the Ordinary
These [stories] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. — John 20:31 Welcome, friends! I’m so glad you’re here with us for the You Are Never Alone Online Bible Study with our dear friend and pastor Max…
You Are the Girl for the Job — Wrapping It Up (Or, is this is just the beginning….?)
Friends, what a study You Are the Girl for the Job has been for us! I don’t know about you, but in this crazy time, it sometimes feels like just doing the minimum required of each day is a victory (and it is!), but the Lord created us for so much more; He’s got plans…
Nourishing Words
The lips of the righteous nourish many. — Proverbs 10:21 There was once a monk who, like many followers of Jesus at the time, was looking for a deeper walk with God. This monk, Abbot Agatho, fled to the desert. The story goes that Abbot Agatho, aware of his temptation to sin with his words,…
Advent: Light
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. — John 1:4-5 NLT The wondrously odd phenomenon of being a parent is witnessing the particular incarnation of each child. Same parents, but every kid…