I sat in the church pew, trying my hardest to focus as the Sunday service began. But while worship music filled the room, I couldn’t help but stare at the beautiful head of wavy hair seated just a few seats down in the row in front of me. Could it be her? I leaned a bit to catch a glimpse
Years ago, I was traveling down a familiar road in my town and the stoplight ahead of me turned yellow before I thought it would. My mind waivered in that in between space – should I slow down to stop or keep going – for a few moments. I thought
This second letter to the Thessalonians ends using the same words Paul used to start it: Peace and Grace. Words used to encourage these believers enduring both persecution and tribulation. And what beautiful words to finish our study today! Peace and Grace to you, dear friend. After these six weeks
Over the last year, we spent many quiet mornings sitting next to a giant. He wasn’t 10 feet tall in stature, but he was big in heart. My Cuban Abuelo was married for 70 years to the same woman, worked hard, and loved well. He was the patriarch and centerpiece
I’ll never forget when he tip-toed down the stairs a little too early one morning, with sleep still in his eyes as he stumbled and squinted his way into my bathroom. No “Good Morning” greeting. No drama. No frills. He just walked up to me and matter-of-factly whispered into my
I was exhausted to my core, so of course the bedtime routine was the longest ever in the history of parenting. We snuggled – scratching backs and rubbing lotion on dry hands and feet, noting bruised knees and elbows from recent falls along the way. We sang worship songs –
Today I flipped back to the first page of my 2017 journal – the page where I poured out my honest, wrecked heart as I began my journey with the Lord this year. I had been frustrated. Frustrated with too much noise and not enough stillness. Frustrated with too much
Give Thanks Always And For EVERYTHING… “Fleas!” I cried. “Betsie, the place is swarming with them!” We scrambled across the intervening platforms, heads low to avoid another bump, dropped down to the aisle, and edged our way to a patch of light. “Here! And here another one!” I wailed.
As we read about the biblical patriarchs, it is easy to set them on a pedestal and view them as super godly. We see them with faith so strong that they can boldly stare into the mouths of lions, defy Pharaoh, and battle nations. It seems like some had such
Death is coming. It comes violently, with much clammer, taking with it hundreds of souls. It comes gently, in the middle of the night, snatching a person from their dreams. It comes without warning, stealing one’s breath and breaking hearts. Death is coming — and it is coming for you.