Find healing in embracing brokenness
Ever been to a “shame party”? It’s a solitary event where we mentally relive all our regrets, mistakes, and disappointments. A candid conversation of personal experiences with pity parties, and how to decline those invitations.
Loving Others: Encouragement
She slumped down into the chair exhausted. It had been a horrific week at work filled with stress and anxiety. And after work, she had spent several nights preparing the engaging Sunday School lesson. She was wearied to the bones as she thought to herself, Let me take a few minutes to […]
Loved To Love
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life was at risk every day he stayed in Hitler’s Germany, but he stayed nonetheless. I imagine he shared the apostle Paul’s view that being in heaven was his heart’s desire, but staying where he was needed was God’s present purpose (Phil. 1:21). So stay he did; as a pastor he offered clandestine worship services and resisted the evil regime under Hitler.
Will you serve me?
Donkey was a very common method of transportation in Jesus’ time. However, it was not the typical mode of transport for kings. Most kings rode on horses or in chariots, displaying their strength and grandeur. Jesus, the King of kings presented Himself to His people as a man of humility, riding on a donkey. “Rejoice, […]
Discover reasons to rejoice even when life is falling apart
A happy family. A fulfilling career. A fruitful ministry. It’s easy to be grateful for things that go well. Being thankful for the events that turn our life upside down, now that’s tough! A study on “The Beauty of Broken.”
Getting Beyond Ourselves
I have one of those friends who seems to be better than I am at just about everything. He is smarter; he thinks more deeply; and he knows where to find better books to read. He is even a better golfer. Spending time with him challenges me to become a better, more thoughtful person. His standard of excellence spurs me on to greater things.
How to repair and reinforce sibling relationships with biblical love
They were the people we grew up with. And whether we enjoyed a close relationship with our siblings, or never really knew them, sometimes our brothers and sisters are the hardest people to love! Ready to reconnect with your family?
Strawberry Mess
My husband and I had recently moved into our house when a man dropped off a large box of strawberries on our front sidewalk. He left a note saying he wanted us to share them with our neighbors. He meant well, but some children discovered the box before any adults …
Choose Life
What is God’s will for my life? The question haunted me when I was growing up. What if I couldn’t find it? What if I didn’t recognize it? God’s will seemed like a needle in a haystack. Hidden. Obscured by lookalikes. Outnumbered by counterfeits.
Not Counting
The play Amadeus tells of a composer in the 18th century seeking to understand the mind of God. The devout Antonio Salieri has the earnest desire, but not the aptitude, to create immortal music. It infuriates him that God has instead lavished the greatest of musical genius ever known on the impish Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
How to offer God’s forgiveness to those who’ve hurt us the most
Is there a family hurt you can’t seem to get past? A word, an action, or a mistake that makes forgiveness seem impossible?
Jesus is the coming one
Christmas is a special day for mankind The story of God’s begotten son He came down to save the souls of men The essence of the love that binds us all. The lovely child, the battered, the crucified The risen and resurrected on high The saviour of the world – We […]
Check The Oil
When I helped our daughters learn to drive, I included a little instruction on basic auto maintenance. We visited a local service station where they learned to check the oil every time they put fuel in the car. Today, years later, they often remind me of my six-word slogan, “Oil is cheap; engines are expensive.” Adding a quart of oil is nothing compared to replacing an engine.
Will you identify with me?
Fear can be a truly crippling emotion. It can leave us haunted by the “what ifs”, “if onlys”, and “I should have” that come as we second-guess our own failure to do or say something. Joseph of Arimathea is a secret disciple of Jesus. Out of fear, he had not publicly identified himself with Christ. […]
Perspective that can help you see “The Beauty of Broken”
When our son wanders off course, or our daughter makes poor decisions, we may wonder if they have completely missed God’s plan for their life. Offering hope and encouragement for worried moms and dads.
