I love Christmas decorations: twinkly lights, poinsettias, garland twirled around a staircase. My mom has an incredible collection of nativity scenes from around the world she puts up all over her house every year. Each scene is made from different indigenous materials, reflects different cultures, and includes slightly different elements.
But now Christ has come as the high priest of the good things to come. He passed through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, and he entered once for all into the Most Holy Place not by the blood of
“I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to truth.” 3 John 4 A few years ago, a college mentor reached out to me after having not been in contact for years. We had been incredibly close during my undergraduate experience, but life
How often are you shocked when you find yourself smack dab in the middle of trials and adversity? The Bible says all believers will endure trials and suffering (1 Peter 4:12-13). Yet, when it happens to us, we often question the reasons for it. We wriggle and wrestle to get
I met a friend for lunch in December. Before we parted in the parking lot, she handed me a gift bag out of the trunk of her car and invited me to open my Christmas present at a later time. When I got home, I carefully reached into the bag
The Perfect Gift Have you ever been given a gift that felt so personal and something only someone who knew you really well could give? Take a moment to think of a gift you’ve received like that. It could be as simple as a friend bringing you your favorite coffee
The plight of the underdog is easily found in books, movies, and our everyday lives. Maybe you have felt like the underdog before or you have known someone else who feels worn out, overpowered, tired, small, useless, or alone. Then life brings you a pivotal moment to remind you who
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18). Right as I sat down to write this post, I received a message from my mom about a family friend who is expected to
Each book of the Bible was written in a specific place, in a specific period of time, by a specific author, to a specific people or person who were a part of a specific culture, with a specific intention. The Bible, and everything in it, is a part of history.
“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.” – Psalm 24:3-4 What specific triggers or “pressure places” throughout your week can you count