As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. John 15:9–10 ESV A Traditional Irish Blessing May peace and plenty bless your world With a joy that long endures. And…
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Galatians 3:14 NIV A deeply close relationship with God, one in which you enjoy His withness and are sustained by His strength, is something the enemy…
When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became daylong groans. The pressure never let up; all the juices of my life dried up. Psalm 32:3–4 MSG Don’t Grow Cold I was in a counseling session with my long-trusted therapist. Some might call it an emergency therapy session. I’d emailed her a desperate message after something…
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18 NKJV Her life on earth was ending. Despite our multiple attempts to gently correct the legalistic, merit-driven faith of her childhood, this woman we loved rejected the idea that salvation was found by grace alone. Instead, she clung to the idea that she needed to earn her way to heaven….
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13, NRSVUE Hope Holds Us What do you have in your in-between space? A mustard seed of faith among an overgrown tangle of doubts or fears?…
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. John 20:1, NIV The First to See Mary blinks away tears as they approach the garden. She cannot see anything besides the image of her…
What was holy week like for Jesus? I wonder. We celebrate Holy Week—decorations, party dresses, family reunions, plans for a special egg hunt or Easter play. We might observe the seriousness of Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, but overall, this is a week of joy culminating in Easter services. How Did He Feel? But how…
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NIV “Do I belong?” We might not say it out loud, but we feel it. We feel it in…
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”Isaiah 43:1 (ESV) Have you ever felt like you’ve lost your footing? Fear and doubt whisper louder than faith, your confidence fades,…
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28–30 ESV I have said these…
Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28, NIV Have you ever missed a moment with God because you were expecting Him to show up one way but He came in another? Maybe you were listening for a big,…
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction. 2 Cor. 1:3-4, ESV I made it, I thought as I woke up the morning after Valentine’s Day. I’d started February 14 with a careless scroll through Instagram…
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV The most treasured piece of decor in our home is a distressed wooden sign that hangs in our bedroom. I glance at it each morning when I turn on…
The topic of forgiveness kept my mind occupied a good bit last year. On the genealogical chart of my family of origin reside several names of people who refused to forgive. These people sat in church every week from childhood through adulthood with a breach unrepaired. Sadly, a few in succeeding generations have made similar…
When 2025 rang in the new year, we had no idea what it would hold. For our family, there were definite high points. My oldest daughter played her final volleyball game as a senior —and defeated their rivals as she hit a game-winning kill. My middle daughter received an offer to play at Nationals for…
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