We can let our expectations get out of hand and become unreasonable in our attitudes. Or, you can bring beauty to your life and home. Being consumed by our expectations can bring unrest and make us unreasonable. But we can set them aside to bring beauty to our lives. Each year our family hosts a…
When you’re faced with unexpected circumstances, how can you respond in a way that is God-honoring and helpful? You know what it’s like. You have this vision of how you believe things will (or should) go. It’s a lovely vision–neat and tidy. But as things begin to unfold, they aren’t what you imagined and it’s…
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.Mark 1:35 What does it really mean to be alone? Getting alone is getting harder and harder in our culture. There is a constant noise that surrounds us and it…
Trusting in God’s character spreads across every aspect of our lives — including how we choose to live. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) Lately, I’ve been studying…
Sometimes we have seasons when we pull away or aren’t very intentional about drawing close—but we can still find our way back to God. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8 ESV The warm water poured down over my head, as my brain relaxed and soaked in the reset…
The normal, ordinary days can feel small and mundane. But these days are the make-up of our lives and help renew our strength. “Blessed by the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!” Psalm 68:19 In my opinion, the winter months feel at least three times as long as the…
When we face suffering, we may be tempted to wonder if God truly loves us. But maybe His love isn’t synonymous with our pain? “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” John 11:3 (ESV) It had been almost three years since my husband was first diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. Out of necessity, his…
….to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. (Titus 3:2b) Matt and I were definitely having our differences that day. Nor was this some mild dispute like whose turn it was to pick up the kids or who left the stove burner on. No, this disagreement had to do…
Discouragement can be self-inflicted if we don’t take our thoughts captive. “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5 ESV) Do you ever find yourself plagued with regrets? Or fears for the future? Things might be going well but then suddenly it seems as if a dark cloud closes…
Our children will learn real faith through real life. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 ESV I was bent over my phone, fully absorbed in a text message when I heard my nine-year-old son behind me,…
Missing out on God’s word slowly dries out our soul. God is calling us to Himself so we can stop withering away. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8 ESV I heard a small voice in the back of the van singing something. I wasn’t…
If you want to grow closer to God, it may be you need to simply go back to the basics and let all the excess go. When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:4 (ESV) I…
We all have room for growing in grace as we follow the Lord’s leading for our lives. “You, therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus…
God opens doors and closes doors as we go through life. Life is full of change. Navigating the changes that life brings our way can be scary at times. One of my favorite scriptures is found in Psalms 37:23, where it says, “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their…
How we can create a peaceful atmosphere when life keeps speeding up. “Come to Me, all you 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.”Matthew 11:28-30…
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