In the spring of 2021, my dad was admitted to the hospital after a fall in the bathroom. He landed with his back against the rim of the toilet, impacting his kidneys. The fall led to cognitive concerns and prompted the medical staff to conduct a thorough evaluation. That evaluation revealed kidney cancer, and before long, my dad was placed on hospice care. He remained bedridden for the duration of his hospice journey, a season that lasted nearly two years. During that time, I

The story of how woman was created from Adam has always intrigued me. Perhaps it is because of the beautiful wording Scripture uses to describe God’s design for man and woman. I’ve found myself returning to this story several times over the past year, especially as weddings have surrounded my life. As I’ve reflected on these verses while writing notes of encouragement in wedding cards, I’ve found myself pausing over some of the words. Perhaps you have wondered about them too.

What would change in your life if you truly understood the authority Jesus has given you? Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven. - Luke 10:19-20 NLT Authority in His Name Jesus appointed and sent seventy of His disciples out into the “harvest” fields of mankind. Whe

Rahab I am continually amazed by the wealth of meaning tucked into the words, names, and imagery we encounter when reading the Bible. Sometimes a story that seems small at first glance carries lessons so profound that we can return to it repeatedly and discover something new. The story of Rahab is one of those stories. It reads almost like a spy novel. It is filled with intrigue and action along with a heroine who finds herself in the middle of God's unfolding plan. Yet, this

For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. - Hebrews 12:6-8 I have been involved in ministry for many years, whether in a church setting, serving the community, participating in prayer ministries, or teaching. It’s inter

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. - Micah 7:18 One of the most familiar passages of Scripture known to Christians is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” For God so loved… Although those words are simple, their depth has

I drove by the long line of parked cars on my street and slowly watched people leaving my neighbor’s estate sale carrying armfuls and truckloads of items out of her house - and a twinge of ache pierced my heart. I knew my sweet neighbor, who every day, multiple times a day, would walk her little dog up and down our road. She was older, and I imagine she is entering a new season of life - perhaps one that looks very different from the one she has known for so many years. She a

“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 10:5 Recently, I was on a flight home and was sitting in a row all by myself. I thought to myself, “This will be a good time to pray and talk with the Holy Spirit.” I had my eyes closed, and as we were ascending into the air, I heard something hit the floor. When I opened my eyes, I noticed a silver-colored object lying near the window seat. I began trying to figure out what in the world it could

Sitting quietly on the deck of my friend's house early one morning, reading my Bible and drinking coffee, I was interrupted by a gentle rustling beside me. Something was stirring in the grass just off the deck. I turned to my left, and to my surprise found a female deer staring at me through the rails of the fence, only a couple of feet away. I stared back, and we held each other's gaze for a moment. I thought to myself, “Maybe if I stand quietly, she won't be startled, and I

The Call to Go The harvest is ripe, and time is fleeting. Put on your armor and head out the door! Do not get stuck in the valley of indecision. Choose wisely and walk the narrow path. To travel that path, we must lay down the heavy weights of secular society and learn to flow with the glory of our Heavenly Father. Our greatest desire should be to please God, not man. Do you hear the sound of the trumpet? Walking the Talk I recently spent a few weeks with a woman of God who t

Many people choose a word to guide their year; perhaps joy, patience, or kindness. This year, my focus became a simple phrase: lead with love. This phrase is a daily reminder of how I want to interact with others, whether I have known them for years or have just met them. I want people to know they are welcomed, seen, and valued. Sometimes that love is expressed through a warm smile, a kind word, or a thoughtful gesture. Other times it means being fully present, remaining pat

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 When I was a child, I was playing in my parents' car, pretending to drive. I pulled the gear shifter without the keys in the ignition, and somehow, I actually broke the car. My parents had to call a mechanic to repair it before they could drive it again. Of course, they were disappointed. But they also showed me mercy. They forgave me because they lo

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints as you still do. Hebrews 6:10 Behind the Scenes Sports were a significant part of our family life. During my children's high school years, they participated in volleyball, cross country, track, and basketball. Wanting to support them in a meaningful way, I volunteered on several athletic booster club boards. We raised funds, coordinated overnight trips for tea

I was reading the book of Haggai recently, and I was struck by its call to rebuild the temple, the importance of obedience to God's call, the blessings promised through obedience, and His promises to Zerubbabel. It is a very short book, but it is so rich in Gods glory. As I read, I couldn't help but think that since we, as born-again believers, are now the temple of the Holy Spirit, maybe it is time for us to examine and rebuild our own temple. Are we spending time with the L

“Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever, He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood. He loved me 'ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.” — Lyrics, Victory in Jesus An Unexpected Visit I arrived in Colorado with the news that a friend was not doing well. She had been suffering through a major health crisis and had been temporarily moved to a care facility to regain some strength. I was staying with Amy from

How Do We Endure? A dear friend recently shared with me the heartache of watching her daughter undergo treatment for breast cancer. As we talked, I was reminded that sometimes it is even more difficult to witness the suffering of someone we love than to endure suffering ourselves. Helplessly watching a child battle like my friend is, can bring a unique kind of pain. During our conversation, she told me she was striving to have "brave faith." Those two simple words stayed with

What happens to us when we hold onto bitterness? Do our hearts become hardened? Perhaps when we hold onto bitterness in our hearts, it creates a kind of spiritual blindness that keeps us from truly seeing. I am reminded of the story of Saul in the book of Acts. Saul’s Story We first learn of Saul in Acts chapter 7. Paul, then known as Saul, was a tentmaker (Acts 18:3) from Tarsus, born into a Jewish family and raised among the Pharisees, a strict Jewish sect devoted to rigid

"Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:13 (NIV) Ever since I was a young girl, I have loved sitting near a campfire. It evokes a deep sense of comfort within me. I always look forward to roasting marshmallows for s’mores, watching the flames dance in the darkness, and feeling the warmth that wraps around everyone gathered in the circle. Best of all, I love the smoky aroma that seeps into everything, creating a lasting memory of time s

God has many ways of getting our attention. Sometimes He speaks through circumstances, sometimes through other people, and most often through His Word. But there are also times when He speaks through dreams and visions. That’s me. I know that God speaks to me through dreams, visions, and of course, most often, through His Word in the Bible. The other night, I woke up from a dream that I could recall in vivid detail, and it brought a smile to my face. The Dream The dream began

Who is the planner in your house? Is it you, or is it God? And who is the better planner? If we believe we are the better planner, we may eventually find ourselves wondering why nothing seems to change in our lives. We wonder why things remain the same even though... We believe. We worship. We pray. Yet our faith can still feel off balance. Why? Because self was never meant to be at the center. God is. Who is Your Center? When our plans, desires, and understanding take priori