As I drove home, “Without You” from For King and Country came on and I looked up and saw a show of distant lightning though the clouds. A storm brewing on the horizon as the song sang, “O God, give me just a little strength to make it through.” We all have storms on our […]

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“God, take these burdens and carry them for me a while.” A prayer I wasn’t sure would work. In truth, I wasn’t sure prayer worked at all. I’d prayed my heart over too many loved ones, only to be disillusioned and disappointed when the prayers didn’t turn out as I’d hoped. I figured the God […]

The journey to follow the Holy Spirit won’t be easy. Think about the trials the first recipients of the Holy Spirit had to endure. The apostles were transformed from ordinary men to evangelists, founding a new religion, a new way of life. They faced persecution, imprisonment and death for what they were preaching. Yet, they […]

Are you feeling tired, stressed, over-scheduled, worn thin, or losing your direction? Need your energy recharged, spirit renewed, and passion reignited for the road ahead? Stillness helps. Step away from the busy and spend some quiet time with God, just be in His presence and listen. Stillness is my most essential spiritual practice. Stillness keeps […]

I hated to go inside and stop the fun on this beautiful fall evening. The kids were enjoying a game a street baseball and I wanted to spend time outside with them. But, every time they’d run by I noticed another welt from a mosquito bite. The mosquitos were everywhere and feasting on our arms, […]

Lots of water fun for our stay-cation! We opted for a stay-cation this year, instead of taking the kids somewhere more exciting like the beach. Mostly because our air conditioner died this spring and we had to replace the whole compressor unit, which used up our vacation fund. But also because at 4 and 6, […]

The morning of his surgery had finally come. He’d been so brave at the doctor’s visit and listened carefully as we described the procedure. He had summoned up all his ‘tough guy’ spirit and seemed so nonchalant about the whole thing. Yet, this morning, as we headed out the door, he could no longer keep […]

The storm came out of nowhere, suddenly turning calm seas into a churning ocean with waves as tall as our sailboat. As I realized I was the only one on the boat still standing, not head hung over the side with seasickness, I firmly planted my feet on the deck and took hold of the […]

I always cringe a little when someone offers my kids a balloon. Sure, they’re fun to play with and kids love them, but then there are the inevitable tears when the balloon pops. The drama when someone lets go inside the house and the balloon gets stuck on the ceiling in that one corner of […]

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ […]

Does prayer matter? Is prayer important in your life? As Christians we’re supposed to answer “yes” to these, right? Yet, I didn’t always feel so convicted. I hoped prayer worked. I trusted others who believed firmly in prayer. I followed the church’s teachings that prayer was critical. Yet, even though I prayed, my heart wasn’t […]

In perhaps a questionable parenting move, I let my first-grader watch a video of “All About That Bass” on YouTube. Well, she fell in love with the song and has been watching the video over and over and over. As I’ve now learned the words to the song, I’m a little horrified at the thought of […]

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book […]