There is so much good stuff in Philippians. We don’t have time to study the whole book in a short article but we see in chapter four, Paul admonishing the church to “rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice.” Here, he gives us a glimpse of his mindset and how he had been able to “choose joy” even through imprisonment and adversity.
Read MoreI mean I’m just a wretched sinner that has fallen flat on my face so many times I can’t count. My husband reminded me that I could be reaping the benefits of my parents labor, not because they were perfect, but because they sowed seeds that reap eternal rewards. I saw them obey the Word of God, pray for their children, and continue to make steps of growth. The same goes for my grandparents, my Sunday school teachers, my pastor, his wife and many more.
Read MoreWOW! What an adventure. After numerous chiropractic visits, my husband and I are miraculously fine. The same cannot be said of our car – or the flying horse.
Read MoreJust as God commanded the Israelites to fear Him and not any other gods, Christians should purge their lives of both internal and external influences that would seek to steal their worship, obedience, and reverence that belongs to Him alone.
Read MoreAs we know, true Joy is not seasonal or situational. It doesn’t arrive with the lighting of the tree or Amazon Prime and then somehow disappears like the last Christmas cookie.
Read MoreThis Christmas, may our homes and hearts be places where Christ’s
peace isn’t merely admired in a picture or carol—but practiced,
shared, and made real through the ministry of reconciliation.
I’ve always admired shepherds... you know, those patient, calm people with a staff and a soft voice who lead sheep so sweetly… and then I remember I can’t even lead my dog to his bed without snacks and promises!
Read More Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for others!
Others, Lord, yes others—
Let this my motto be
Help me to live for others
That I may live like Thee.
Read MoreHave you ever looked at your hands and wondered what impact they could make in the world? Not just when they hold a baby, stir the soup, or wipe a tear, but when they are folded in prayer.
Read MoreThink of someone who “says all the right things” but lives a very different life behind closed doors. We all know or know of someone like that. Or maybe more than one "someone's".
Read MoreIn May of 2021 my husband, Jesse, was very sick and eventually was hospitalized. After many tears, much prayer and fasting, God’s will was for Jesse was to leave this world and enter Heaven on June 1, 2021. As the days went on after Jesse’s death I found myself getting angry with God because things did not go the way that I wanted.
Read MoreHave you ever bitten into a lemon expecting something sweet? The sour shock wakes up your taste buds! Lemons can be intense, but they are also refreshing, and full of nutrients.
Read MoreHave you ever been disappointed when you volunteered for an event or production, and you imagined yourself playing a significant role, only to find out that you were assigned to help clean the toilets and take out the trash? It is so easy to build imaginations and expectations of how our lives will be, and the type of role we will play. Often, those thoughts include God using our lives in ways we view as important and valued by others in our circles.
Read MoreObeying means doing what someone says. It’s about actions.
We teach kids to obey quickly, completely, and with a good attitude. But the focus is on the doing.
You can obey without honoring.
Read MoreOne of the biggest reasons we miss His plan is simple: we move without prayer. Proverbs 3:5-6 urges us, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” But how often have we rushed into jobs, relationships,
Read MoreAs we were traveling back from a Youth Conference in Tennessee, I looked out my window and saw a sign posted on a tree that said, “Don’t forget Jesus.” When I saw that sign, I thought to myself how many times do I forget about Jesus. Jeremiah 2:32 says, “Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire?
Read MoreAll around us is indecency, vulgarity, murder of innocent children, unrighteous living, etc. Jochebed must have faced some of the same issues that we are faced with. It is hard to imagine, but things will become even more corrupt before the Lord returns. Will we obey God, or man?
Read More“Make lemonade!” That’s cute… And a great go to saying.. but what if God doesn’t want lemonade? What if He wants lemon meringue pie?
Life isn’t always sweet. Sometimes it’s sour. And confusing.
As teens, you are constantly being asked:
“What’s your plan?”
Read MoreI have an old pair of walking shoes... That I REFUSE to get rid of.... Ladies, they may not be fancy, but they’ve walked through storms, climbed mountains, and made it this far. That’s the kind of faith walk I want.
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