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The clap of thunder or a strong wind readily gets our attention, but what about the hum of cicadas on a summer evening, water rippling downstream, or the swoosh of a bird’s wings as it flies overhead? Such sounds are like background music, constant yet we can only appreciate the melody if we are stop and listen. Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” The context for this familiar verse is actually one of chaos, a world crumbling around us with war, strife

As we join each other this weekend taking moments to slow down, we are blessed with the time to appreciate not only God’s heavenly creation, but each other. Lately I’ve been a bit obsessive when my auditory sense is, what I would call, tickled. Out of the many gifts that God has blessed us with, the gift of being able to hear is, no doubt, one of my favorites. Now, as much as I love to appreciate the beauty that comes from my own children and being cognizant of their attribu

One of the most effective and destructive lies the enemy tells us is that God is disappointed in us. But the truth is, God is incapable of disappointment because He is omniscient; He knows all. So how can He have any expectations of us when He already knows our past, present and future? The prophet Isaiah wrote, “O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up . . . Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it

Back-to-school season holds memories for all of us. You may remember feelings of excitement about the possibilities for the new year, or you may recall feelings of trepidation and anxiousness. Maybe you had both. Undoubtedly, every new school year brings change: new teachers and new classrooms, sometimes a new school or new friends. You see, change is inevitable with growth. We see this evidence in nature, and we see it in our children. God is in the business of transformati

Stewarding a relationship with Jesus and my children is my calling. It’s a calling I’m growing in every day, and as I tend to it, I cannot help but feel overjoyed. I know this because of how much happiness I feel when I’m connected to Jesus. I am blessed to teach my children how to fellowship with Jesus, and that is one of the greatest privileges I have been bestowed. I pray that they may see the light of Jesus in me, like I see in them. "Train up a child in the way he sh

Did you know you have a super power as a believer in Jesus? Jesus says in John 14:12-14, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” Let’s break this down. First, when Jesus says, “truly, truly,” He means, “Listen up!” And

A long time ago, while working at a florist shop, I had a difficult boss. He was greedy, arrogant and racist. On Valentine’s Day, he was still accepting orders at eight that evening although our inventory had been drastically depleted, and he recruited frat boys with no training whatsoever to slap together floral arrangements to meet the demand. Then he couldn’t make payroll. At 20, I was indignant and a know-it-all, so my tenure there was short-lived. But I learned a lot at

When Jesus arrived at the home of Jairus, the room was filled with mourners weeping over the certain death of the 12-year-old girl. He said, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” They laughed at him, not realizing that Jesus had just set into motion an alternative ending to this story. Jairus and his wife then lead Jesus to where the girl lay. In my mind, the room is quiet, with only her parents’ muffled sobs and the occasional sh

One of our delightful discoveries in Panama were the fence lines. The logs that serve as fence posts are nothing special, just cut and harvested from local trees. Yet, in the rich, fertile soil of the Panamanian mountains and the pure, clean air, they remarkably defy conventional wisdom and come to life as new trees. They grow where they are planted. These fence lines are a picture of the restorative power of Jesus. He is the author of our story, and He has purpose in where H

There are seasons in life when survival feels like the only goal. When you’ve known homelessness, instability, and uncertainty, hope can feel distant. Yet God is never absent in those valleys. Scripture reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Even when doors seem closed and dreams feel buried, God is quietly preparing new beginnings. Stability is not just a roof or a routine — it is a testimony of God’s fai

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. — John 1:1-5 The following is a conversation as this writer imagines. It is based on Scripture but is only an artistic interpretation. THE FATHER: Son, I

Christmas caroling is a tradition that is all but lost. However, this sweet memory is a highlight of my middle school years. We would gather as a group and walk door to door, singing Christmas carols and return to school for cookies and hot chocolate. A chill was in the air, but our young hearts were warmed with new-found freedom and welcoming homes. Our repertoire was a mix of all the old favorites, and we ended every stop with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” One of my fav

The book of Exodus chronicles how God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and their 40-year journey to the land that He had promised them in Canaan. It records the 10 plagues that ultimately led to Pharoah’s decision to let them go, the parting of the Red Sea that allowed their escape and the demise of their Egyptian pursuers, as well as the provisions that God made for them along the way. Exodus 15 shares a song that Moses and the people sang to the Lord to expres

Jesus told parables to illustrate truths about the Kingdom of God. These stories helped the original hearers — and us — to understand...

Medals, trophies and awards are reminders that we are seen. Our humanness revels in them. But our souls are yearning for more. James, the...

My family and I once had a Labrador retriever named Ellie. Headstrong and determined, she obeyed us only when it served her own...

Tap. Tap. Tap. The sound is so familiar in our house now. A female cardinal repeatedly knocks at our bathroom window every 20 or 30...

“Do you give the horse its strength Or clothe its neck with a flowing mane? Do you make it leap like a locust, striking terror with its...

Have you ever examined a car engine? It’s a complex piece of machinery with many parts, and working in unison they generate power. ...

Is your kitchen cabinet like mine? Every other cereal bowl has a chip in it, and a few are cracked. Yet I want to avoid the significant...