What’s better than knowing for certain that a person you love always keeps their promises? If you need assurance of some lasting qualities in your life this season and for the year to come, look no further than to the Lord. 3 promises for this season: JOY. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy” (Romans…
We normally think of a reflection as something glistening from the surface of glass or a mirror. But sometimes, with much embarrassment and shame, we see (and hear) our true hearts reflected through the comments of our children. Kids pick up a lot of words and values from what they notice in our behavior and…
If you scroll through my cell phone contacts, eventually you’ll come to an entry simply titled “Mom—home.” The one just above it is noted as “Mom—cell.” They’re complete with my mom’s profile picture and home address. I’ve happily used these numbers over the years to chat it up for countless hours with my mom about all our life…
You may remember the well-known children’s book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Although published in 1972, its content is still relatable—and not just for kids. After all, who can say they never experience one of “those days” they would just as soon forget? No doubt our lives have been full of lousy days…
During the “dog days of summer” each year, most of our normal routines melt away with the last day of May and are quickly replaced with r-e-l-a-x-a-t-i-o-n and vaca time away from home. Ahhh!! Nothing wrong with that plan! But as Christians, how can we grow in our relationship with the Lord over these next few months—rather than watching it evaporate…
Marriage can be tough for everyone—even for those who have committed their lives and family to the Lord. But consider living the Christian life when your spouse is a non-believer. Now, that can be incredibly challenging! It may be that you desire to partner on important matters of your faith, but your spouse is resistant to your thoughts. So, how…
From infancy to adulthood, there are things that scare us all—real or imagined. For children, fear can be an overwhelming emotion! They look to us, their parents, to help provide a safe place at home where they can find security, understanding, and guidance. Teaching tips for tough times: Pray With your kids nearby, speak to God aloud regarding concerns and fears your…
Downpours of rain are one thing to endure, but storms of life are not always such a quick fix. Sometimes days turn into years when waves of hardship keep knocking us down. It feels as though the skies will never clear again. Find Shelter Last summer I went on an evening walk up a trail that would…
Does prayer seem complicated to you? Do you have difficulty even considering a regular, daily time of prayer? I think people get a negative idea on this point from hearing long, liturgical prayers that sound more like a graduate-level theology class lecture. Prayer is often depicted in this complex manner through movies or TV shows that demonstrate it in…
Have you noticed how certain words always pop up during this season—as though signing them on greeting cards or singing them in carols will somehow bring about the promises they claim? I’m talking about words such as Peace! Hope! and Joy! What’s in a word anyway? As Christians, we clinch tightly to these words since they do…