To some, a new year means a fresh start. But to me, New Year’s Day signifies the end of the Christmas season. We dismantle all the dazzling Christmas lights and colorful decorations. December beauty disappears; in its’s place we’re left with January’s dismal, drab wintery weather. Away with the chocolate, the eggnog, the Christmas cookies! […]
There’s no place like home for the holidays, or so the song goes. We envision snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree. Instead, we sometimes get scheduling conflicts and family drama. Going home for the holidays can be complicated when you’re dealing with parents, siblings, in-laws, children, and all sorts of relatives who have […]
Tears streamed down my face. If I have to hear another sermon on unforgiveness, I’ll scream, I thought. I had been deeply wounded by people who were professing Christians. But the preacher was pronouncing me the guilty one—guilty of unforgiveness. It seemed forgiveness meant saying, “Oh, well, that’s okay. It doesn’t matter. I forgive you.” […]
When Tragedy Strikes When tragedy devastates the landscape of our lives, where can we find hope? Recently, while traveling in Alaska, I rode past an area that had been ravaged by wildfire. The spruce trees that once dominated the landscape had been reduced to charred skeletons. But the sight that kept my camera clicking was […]
On Monday mornings, before I get dressed for work, you’ll find me wearing a T-shirt that says, “Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Repeat.” The words on my coffee mug express my mood: “I don’t feel very worky today.” (Yes, “worky” is found in several dictionaries, but you can’t use it in Scrabble.) Once I arrive at work, […]
Seven years ago a health crisis sent me into a tailspin, and during that time I learned what it means to find strength in the joy of the Lord. Today good results from a routine check-up left me feeling grateful. I’m revisiting a blog post I wrote in 2016 for Restore Ministries. The Joy of […]
When we think God is angry at us, God is our… R Reconciler “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Col. 1:19-20 ESV). When I was a kid, my mother was the parent […]
Do you ever have so many thoughts swirling around in your mind that you can’t process them all? Recently, I spent the evening on my laptop, jumping from one internet article to the next. So many choices. So many voices. How could I select the best and bypass the rest? I went to bed feeling […]
And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Ex. 17:7 ESV) When things go wrong, do you find yourself quarreling with God? Have you tested the Lord’s patience by complaining? Let me sheepishly raise my hand and […]
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Heb. 12: 1b-2 NLT) […]
