The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. — Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV I want to completely declutter the basement before Thanksgiving,” my wife, Pat, said while we were out for a walk. “I have a lot of stuff going on…. Why do we need to do…
Holiness Over Freedom
When we decide to follow Jesus, life is no longer about our liberties. It is about our responsibilities to Him. It is not about our cans. It is about our want-tos. And in that healthy relationship with Jesus, liberties live at peace with convictions; there is no constant war — we are still doing what…
5 Gratitude Devotions You Just Might Need This Week
Editor’s note: What a week we’re about to embark on! We thought you could use a few quick devotions to get your mornings started. Despite the chaos surrounding us right now, let’s remind ourselves that it is the season of thankfulness. We hope this season will be the catalyst into a life of thankfulness.…
Into the Mystery
Everything is possible for you. —Mark 14:36 In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus addresses His prayers tenderly to “Abba, Father” but also reverently to the One for whom “everything is possible” (Mark 14:36). He is recognizing that intimate love and infinite power coexist and coalesce without contradiction in the heart of God. C. S. Lewis…
Prayer: Lay it at His Feet and Leave it There
Today we are offering God the ongoing and chronic struggles in our lives. Morning Meditation Forgive me for picking back up what I’ve already laid at Your feet. Surely I’m not the only one who gives God a concern and tells Him she will trust Him, but after a few hours, days, or weeks picks…
The Long Walk Between Offered and Answered Prayer
You are walking, not on the path between Georgia and Maine. No, you are walking on a road even steeper and longer — the path between offered prayer and answered prayer. Between supplication and celebration bent knees and lifted hands tears of fear and tears of joy “Help me, Lord” and “Thank You, Lord” Do…
The One-Minute Pause
We live in a crazy-making world. So much stimulation rushes at us with such unrelenting fury, we are overstimulated most of the time. Things that nourish us — a lingering conversation, a leisurely stroll through the park, time to savor both making and then enjoying dinner — these are being lost at an alarming rate;…
What Kind of Woman?
Editor’s note: The following excerpt is from one of our favorite books of this past year. It is powerfully insightful, it is fun and inspirational, and it is filled with heart-pumping Hope. You Are the Girl for the Job by Jess Connolly will spur you on in the belief of the most foundational truth –…
Jesus on Earth
Jesus arrived on earth as a man to show us our true identity, created in His image, and to teach us who the Father is. Quiet Prayer helps bring us to the reality of who we are, who we were born to be, and who God is in us. We come to the reality that…
Living the Blessing
We get it that many people today are spiritually homeless when it comes to a church or doing much with their faith. But the Blessing is all about getting to know and love Jesus — whose love and blessing we’re going to be living out with others. He modeled loving people well — blessing them.…