It’s Thanksgiving week, so naturally I’m pondering the many things I have to be thankful for. The Lord is sweet to continue to fill my mind with examples of his provision for which I’m grateful. But mixed in with my gratitude, is my constant companion — grief. I’m grateful and I’m grieving. Past Thanksgiving seasons […]

Along with crisp air and beautiful leaves, November also brings an awareness of broken families. It’s this month, more than any other, where our gaze is directed, perhaps uncomfortably, to the fatherless. That’s because November is National Adoption Month and November 11 is Orphan Sunday. Many people live their whole lives without giving any thought […]

In her new book, The Gospel Comes with a House Key, Rosaria Butterfield writes: “I know I can’t save anyone. Jesus alone saves, and all I do is show up. Show up we must.” When Christians fail to show up, those around us remain unreached. Complacency is a sickness that keeps us from loving our neighbors. […]

I was serving in rural Kenya with a mission team building an aquaponics system that would benefit a local church. It was hard work, and we were behind schedule. One afternoon, with precious few hours of daylight left to work, a local woman came to visit and see the project. Our team leader asked me […]

It was a big day in Jerusalem. The temple built by Solomon, but destroyed by the Babylonians, was being rebuilt. It was a day of great celebration for the Israelites. The Jews had suffered for decades because of their disobedience (see 1 Kings 9:6-9). They endured exile and captivity, besiegement and destruction. However, Ezra tells the […]

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way.” Have you ever said these words? Thought them? I suspect I’m not the only one. We all experience circumstances not of our choosing, situations that don’t go the way we want or expect. Our supposed to’s may seem harmless, but they can easily become idols. If we’re clinging […]

It’s still dark when I get out of bed and quietly make my way downstairs. I grab my bible and journal, intending to spend time with the Lord. I make coffee. I load up the dishwasher. I fill out some medical forms I’ll need for an upcoming doctor’s appointment. I return a few emails. There […]

Light gets our attention. Our eyes are naturally drawn to it. The warm, illuminating effects of light beckon us to come closer. We become curious to see what the light frames for our eyes. Our interest in the light often involves our desire to become spotlighted. Many find it difficult to resist being the center […]

Four thousand years ago, an Egyptian servant fled to the Arabian desert after being forced to marry her mistress’ husband and conceive a child. The son that grew in the servant’s womb was the result of the mistress trying to “help” God fulfill his promise of an heir. A bitter rivalry with implications reaching into […]

Dear Young Mother, You may feel invisible during this season of life. You aren’t. We serve El Roi, the God who sees us (Genesis 16:13). You are seen. You are known. Your selfless love and service, though imperfect, matter for the Kingdom. You, dear momma, are changing the world as you raise up the next generation. […]