Parenting (Barely) Adult Childrenhen my kids were small, I dreaded the teenage years, much like one dreads going to the dentist. I viewed them as a painful but necessary season, one that I’d hopefully weather with as little bodily harm as possible....
I Didn't Sign Up For ThisI have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 hen we moved to Carroll County almost six years...
Lament: The Freedom to Feel e are wired to avoid physical pain. Just watch any toddler touch a hot candle after being told not to. Chances are, he won’t be in a hurry to do it again. Yet physical pain serves a purpose, helping us to focus on...
Study Guide Download Week 3 Last week we examined John 6 in which Jesus proclaimed that He was the bread of life. John 6:35 “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:51 “I am the living bread...
Big Enough to Handle ItEven though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice...
Legacy I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever. Psalm 45:17 n the flower bed next to my front walkway grow several red primroses. These hardy flowers bloom in the spring...
Read Psalm 16:8-11 I made a quick grocery run last week. As I dashed through the store, focusing on getting the essentials on my list as quickly as possible while staying six feet away from the other masked shoppers, gigantic wrapped Easter baskets caught my...
Read Zechariah 9:9 Have you ever witnessed a motorcade? It’s hard to miss. First, the police vehicles arrive with flashing lights and sirens to clear the traffic, then various security vehicles, followed by the official limousine carrying the president, with all the...
A Love Letter 1 John 4:7-21 appy Valentine's Day! I started to write this week and realized that God's love letter to us speaks more eloquently than any words I could put to paper. Two truths stuck out to me as I read the following verses: 1) God...
A good story has a compelling opening. Some of the best stories ever written have familiar first lines that, even if we’ve never read the book, we can quote by heart. When we open the New Testament, at first glance it seems that Matthew didn’t get the memo about...
I admit it - my nativity scene is biblically inaccurate. I have three wise men and a camel next to the shepherds, looking on at the newborn Jesus in a manger. To me, the wise men’s visit to see the Messiah is one of the most fascinating parts of the Christmas story....
Dashboard Lights For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. Psalms 107:9 y son ran out of gas this week. As a new driver, he forgot the importance of paying attention to the warning lights on the dashboard. We...
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ~ Luke 2:19 Throughout the Bible, we see God showing up on the scene and giving instructions or doing an amazing miracle. Often, this encounter is followed by periods of silence and quiet. Noah,...
“Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” ~ Matthew 1:20b The Christmas story is filled with angelic visits. The angel Gabriel visits Zechariah. Then he visits Mary. An unnamed angel visits Joseph. An entire flock of angels...
"How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” ~ Luke 1:25 (NLT) Have you ever met someone with an overwhelmingly positive attitude? Sometimes it can be annoying to be around people who are always cheerful and upbeat,...
Have you ever noticed that sometimes nature is really weird? Maybe you’ve seen the viral video of turkeys walking in a creepy circle around a cat (look it up if you haven’t – it’s pretty wacky!). Animals do some pretty bizarre things. The Bible has some strange animal...
Transforming Light The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 he autumn color has burst into glory these past two weeks. As I drive to work in the mornings, the early morning light splashes across the colorful...
Tackling Weeds I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:1-2 n the summertime, it takes...
The Fourth Act For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. 1 Corinthians 13:12a rom our earliest years, we are taught the power of story. From The Cat in the Hat to Lord of the Rings, we learn to appreciate tales of the triumph of good...
As we study the book of James, we will find much-needed wisdom to help us live out our faith in a true and authentic way. A living, active faith is more than knowledge and belief; it’s a way of life that exhibits the true characteristics of God through our words,...
The Right QuestionsAnd Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" Luke 1:34 (ESV)Ilove the Christmas season, when we focus on the miracle of Christ coming to earth in human flesh. As I read the familiar verses in the first chapter of Luke, I'm...