I love the Bible! Every year, I read through the entire Bible starting in January. Without fail, I learn something new. The Holy Spirit illuminates scripture in new ways, and I see things from a different angle. That’s how we know the Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12)! As I read through…
This last week, I have been broken-hearted to see a number of videos of individuals who grew up in the church that are now turning away. They boldly proclaim why they have left the toxic church culture, explaining how they are now enlightened. The church is toxic. The church is abusive. The church keeps people…
Recently, I heard someone talking about their favorite Bible story. As I began to contemplate what my favorite story is, my mind quickly jumped from story to story. As a child, I loved story of Isaac and Rebekah. I guess I’ve always been a romantic at heart. I remember hearing this story in Sunday School one day…
Have you ever been so exhausted you just didn’t think you could keep going? Back in my single mom days, I remember a time where I simply crashed. I had the kids full-time. I was working full-time. I was juggling so many balls at once. I walked in one day to find a house full…
Have you ever been baffled by something you read in scripture? It actually happens to me frequently, but I always find myself wondering why God chose to bring Jesus through the lineage of Judah. Jesus is known as the Lion of Judah. Why not the Lion of Joseph? After all, Israel (Jacob) had eleven other…
Over the weekend, Roy and I took a much needed break together to celebrate his birthday. We are in a season of unpredictable schedules, often working opposite hours so we don’t have much time together. We had seen the trailers for the movie A Man Called Otto with Tom Hanks, and it was on our list of…
It’s been nearly 15 years since I heard God’s voice so clearly: step out of your comfort into the unknown because I’m waiting with outstretched hands. I was thrust into the tumultuous waves of adultery and divorce, often feeling as if I was going under. But, as God promised, He was there holding out His…
Simplify. I hadn’t given much thought to a word for 2023, but it hit me hard Sunday. Simplify. It was almost audible, as if I knew it was God’s command to me for 2023. Simplify. Do you ever feel like your life is so busy? So complicated? Do you ever wonder what you can eliminate?…
Better late than never. Isn’t that what they say? A hope fulfilled is refreshing to the soul, even if it doesn’t happen when you expected it. Entering adulthood, I always imagined I would be the homeroom mom, at every school party, chaperoning every field trip. I thought I would cook nutritious homemade meals and have…
Dear spouse, I want you to know how much I love you and how much I want to see God work in our lives and in our relationship. When I married you, I made a covenant before God and man–a covenant of until death do we part. And my heart has not changed. However, you…
It’s a question I am asked frequently: Should I stay in my marriage? It’s also a question I wrestled with for a very long time after I discovered my first husband’s infidelity. I had made a covenant before God and man, and it wasn’t something I took lightly. I had always been taught that scripture…
Oh, my sweet Blake! How can it be that you are now a newlywed? It seems like it was only yesterday that you were that precious little 6 lb 12 oz preemie that surprised us a month early. Now, here you stand before me, towering over us all, a man instead of a precious baby….