A few weeks back, I went into the backyard with a bucket and picked up a bunch of rocks. I carried the heavy pail inside and poured its contents onto the kitchen counter. Then I grabbed a black marker and wrote down the current year on one rock. Underneath the
I wonder what raced through Mary’s mind and heart when an angel appeared to her out of nowhere, with no warning, suddenly standing before her with a towering presence and a greeting that shook her to her core. Did she let out a gasp at his voice? Did she jump
Joseph’s story is an encouraging example of how God’s plans are better than our own, even when we don’t understand what is going on. Joseph had dreams, literally, about what God had promised to do in his life. He dreamed He would be a leader and that even his brothers
In January 2021, Forbes Magazine published a sobering article titled “One in Eight Christians Worldwide Live in Countries Where They May Face Persecution.” Over 340 million believers in Jesus remain faithful to Jesus in countries where they endure personal attacks and discrimination for their commitment to the gospel. Thousands of
“I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. “I am the
In both of the passages we read today, we see women who had so much faith in Jesus that they relentlessly sought out healing, one for her child and the other for herself. I have always loved these stories, but I especially love the story about Jesus in Luke 8.
What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.” Have you ever stopped and thought about how faith is shaped within a family? What’s the story of faith – or lack of faith – in
Before I drew my first breath, my life was in trouble. Most babies emerge into the world crying, I emerged silent. My mom, having just endured hours of excruciating labor and then an emergency vertical C-section in a remote military hospital, was worried the moment she heard the silence. The
I don’t think there’s a more accurate quote regarding friendships as this: “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” Friendship is a really big deal. We invest in (or are encouraged to pursue) education and training for much in this life, including but not limited to job
“I don’t want to listen and obey!” I sat on a stool in front of a pint-sized sinner. His fists were clenched, and his face was grimaced in a very stubborn frown. He pushed the milk away like it was poison. I took a deep breath, and I looked down