One of my favorite things about God is that nothing ever surprises Him. I take the greatest comfort in knowing that no matter how crazy the world gets, God is in Heaven saying, “Yep, I saw that coming. I’m still in control. You’re okay.” Knowing that the Creator of the Universe is in control reassures…
We Can’t, but God Can
“It’s just me, and I ain’t much.” We’d been talking for well into an hour before she said the words. We’d worked our way through two cups of machine- brewed, hospital-waiting-room coffee. Hers with sweetener, mine with powdered creamer. Small of stature she was. No makeup, hair matted. Her T-shirt was loose fitting and crumpled.…
The Longing for That One Thing You Think You Need…
In his study on the life of King David, Chuck Swindoll wrote, “David, being a man with a strong sexual appetite, mistakenly thought, To satisfy it I will have more women. Thus, when he became king, he added to the harem, but his drive only increased. One of the lies of our secular society is…
Fall Celebration
Celebrations mark the pinnacles of joy in our lives. ~ Ingrid Fetell Lee, Joyful I’ve experienced the truth of hospitality. I have never, ever regretted inviting anyone over. Once it’s done, I have never regretted hosting. Welcoming people into our home has never been a waste of energy, time, or resources. In the same way…
One Plot or Two
Editor’s note: Kayla Stoecklein is a voice of compassion and hope for those oppressed with the mostly-taboo topic of suicide. It’s a delicate issue, one haunted by shame and fear, and one that needs to be brought into the light of God’s grace. In Fear Gone Wild, Kayla shares her and Andrew’s story but above…
The Upside of Guilt
What’s Your Conscience Telling You? Anita had been the advertising sales director for a multimillion dollar media company for several years when her boss informed her the business would be sold to an industry leader within a matter of months. The company wanted to continue bringing in advertising commitments for the upcoming quarters but didn’t…
Hats, Gloves, and Scarves — Oh My!
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:7 We are quick to take precautions against the cold weather as the summer months end and the fall season begins. As temperatures plummet and breezes begin to blow, we pull out the accessories necessary to…
Know Your Name
In a large auditorium after a women’s conference, ladies were filing out as music pumped energetically through the building. The excitement in the air struck a stark contrast with the words coming from Brianna’s mouth. A new mother, she had stayed behind to talk to me, painfully unraveling the nightmare she was living. She was…
Cutting New Paths and Taking New Ground
Sometimes you just have to memorize and meditate on the good news loops out of obedience in order to start to make the correct synapses. Memorize it, and then repeat the good news to yourself over and over. I’ve realized that the three kinds of false belief — I can’t do this, I’m not enough,…
Relationships: What We Ate and Why It Matters
During this last season, one thing I remember more clearly than anything else is what we ate. The undercurrent of our life was dark and ragged, but my senses remember so much beauty, too, possibly the soul’s way of finding balance or hope. All those flavors and textures and smells are still embedded in my memories, and that feels like…