Shadow loves our walks up the road, but she is happiest when we leave the leash behind. The moment I unclip it, she bounds forward with ears flying, tail wagging, and eyes sparkling with joy. She runs, circles back, runs again, stopping only long enough to look at me as if to say, “Isn’t this […]
A few years ago, I had a season when weakness seemed to stalk me. I felt unsuccessful and drained—spiritually, mentally, and physically. The project I was working on had demanded all my creative energy and left me raw. I had put myself "out there," fully exposed and vulnerable, and yet the work wasn't finished. In […]
As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man sat by the road, begging. He heard the crowd going by and asked what it meant. “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him. He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” — Luke 18:35–38 When Jesus stopped and asked the blind man, […]
Do you ever feel ashamed or disappointed that you have lacked faith or confidence in God…or even doubted Him? Our doubts, lack of trust, or weak faith may tempt us to think our faith isn’t strong enough. Let’s look at some scripture passages that might encourage us – even if our faith feels small today. […]
Not too long ago, I wrote a post about how my cat, Lovey, shows my family what abiding does and doesn't look like. Among Lovey's many desirable cat qualities, He enjoys taking walks in the woods with me and my dog, Shadow. It's difficult to make great progress when Lovey comes along for the walk. […]
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." proverbs 18:21 I remember one of the most hopeless seasons in my life. I felt despair at the thought of living through another day of uncertainty and sadness. I couldn't imagine trying to put on a happy […]
Is it wrong for me to think I can reflect God? Humans aren't perfectly holy, all-present, or all-knowing. Don't worry! I don't propose that we can reflect those kinds of attributes, but if we are in Christ we are enabled and called by God to image other attributes of Himself; the ones He calls His […]
I gingerly walk down our water-soaked gravel road trying to miss the areas that seem like soft, muddy sponges. The rain and snow have been so relentless, that every week or so my family must rebuild and fill in certain areas of our road. When it rains at night, we wonder how the road will […]
Gardening is a form of suffering. Not for everyone who does it, but it is for me! My dad peruses seed catalogs like I used to peruse the Christmas toy catalogs as a child. I, on the other hand, feel a bit anxious at the sight of them in the mailbox. What will I plant? […]
As I begin a new year, I am reminded that I don't need a new year to be the new me. From the moment I gave my life to Christ and accepted His for me, I have been given a new identity. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed […]
Advent Joy isn’t shallow or sentimental—it is rooted in the appearing of Christ. When Scripture speaks of Christ being manifested, it means that God has made Himself clearly seen, known, and encountered in order to save. “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation…” — Titus 2:11, ESV The Child in the manger is the […]
Where do you long for Christ’s Peace to enter your story this week? Or have you given up hope for that? Perhaps it would be good for you and me to remember Jesus' words about the kind of peace He gives. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the […]