The distinct smell of musty paper grew strong as I leaned in closer to the bookshelf, searching. A…B…C. My finger traced the creased spines and I tilted my head to read the author names. Carothers. There it was! Half a dozen books by this author stood at varying heights on the shelf. I bought one … Read more
Has sorrow been your constant friend? Have tears become your daily bread? Do you hear voices in your head Saying, “where is your God?” Inspired by Psalm 42, those words formed in my mind one evening as I sat on my couch wrapped in a blanket. Life had felt a little extra heavy lately, so … Read more
We all woke up to the same horrific headlines, ‘Israel at War After Hamas Attacks.’ We watched families taken hostage by terrorists, saw pictures of cities devastated by shrapnel, and learned that the number of civilians brutally murdered or injured was growing. This news brought tears to my eyes and made my stomach turn. How can people … Read more
I begged. I pleaded. I begged some more . . . And yet, every time I cried out to God about this situation that I desperately wanted Him to change, He seemed to say again, “No. Not yet.” Disappointed, I prayed, “Okay, but what am I supposed to do now?” In my heart, I knew … Read more
Recently, I read Titus chapter 2, where Paul gives specific instructions for how both older and younger men and women should live. I’ve read books and listened to sermons about this passage before, but this time I noticed that the command for older women to teach younger women is unique. In chapter two, Paul commands … Read more
We are created to praise God together and often. Many of us would love to gather with fellow believers to praise God more than just once a week on Sunday. But it can feel challenging to incorporate praise with others into our regular schedules. There are many reasons for this. Our days are already full, … Read more
It’s become a bit of a tradition for me to take a couple of hours during the month of December and sit down with a warm drink, my Bible, calendar, and journal to reflect on the past year and refocus in preparation for the year ahead. I’ve come to look forward to this as one … Read more
Darlene Deibler Rose arrived in New Guinea as a newlywed to do missions work among unreached jungle tribes. However, shortly after her arrival, the world went to war and the Japanese invaded. Darlene and her husband were captured and sent to separate work camps. While at the camp, Darlene was accused of being an American … Read more
Seeing Jesus’ Birth Declared Throughout Scripture Recently, as I read through the gospels, I was struck by how many angels and prophets announced Jesus’ birth. An angel told Zechariah he would have a son who would prepare the way for the Messiah. An angel announced to Mary that she would become the mother of the … Read more
A Look at the Riches We Possess in Christ It’s a tradition in my family at Thanksgiving for each of us to share one thing we are thankful for as we sit around the table. Some years, it’s easy to a list a hundred blessings. Other years, it’s hard to think of even one. As … Read more