Recently, talking with someone, I commented, “So if I hear you correctly…you believe that the only way you can know God’s pleasure is if you serve and DO everything correctly?” I asked, ” Are you tired, yet?” This young person was indeed exhausted and in a desperate place with nowhere to turn for help. As…
One year, as a little girl, I had my heart set on receiving a unique gift for Christmas. I’m convinced I would have been satisfied to accept it and nothing else. All I wanted was a large jar of whole dill pickles! Ha! I loved pickles that much and still do. To my grand delight,…
For those of us who live and worship in the western church, this Sunday marks the first day of the Advent Season. The season is comprised of four Sundays before Christmas. The word “advent” is from Latin adventus “coming.” Christmas is coming! And is coming again! I have looked at this advent season with very…
Growing up, secrets played a huge part in my daily living. I never dared share what daily life could look like in our home. I knew the signs. When they appeared I knew the demons had triggered what would end up being a hellish night for us. The morning after, we would all get up,…
by: Diane Nix We had taken a break for a couple of days. Rest was what the doctor ordered, and we were doing just that and enjoying the colors of fall. Walking down a steep grade, I didn’t see the small rock and stepped squarely on it. My ankle turned. My body and bad back…
by: Allison Hill At the beginning of this year, I felt the Lord impressing upon my heart to focus on hospitality within my life and home. I had just completed reading through the Bible the previous year and was struck by the thriving community within the New Testament churches. The early church, when it was…
by: Rhonda Rhea Unbelievable. First of all, it was the biggest horsefly-looking thing I’d ever seen. Was it a bird? A pterodactyl maybe? More horse than fly, really. I think I could’ve saddled it. We’re talking about a horrifyingly large horsefly here. I read somewhere that the lifespan of the average horsefly is only a…
by: DeNise Gerst Pastor’s wives serve in a unique role. The expectations placed upon us can lead us to times of uncertainty when we feel overwhelmed and singled out. Criticism and scrutiny add to feelings of uncertainty. The Prophet Jeremiah wrote in Jeremiah 29:11 CSB “For I know the plans I have for you”—this is…
By: Michelle Mackall Three small children, new house, and a new city. Our family had just moved from Pensacola, Florida, to Raleigh, North Carolina, for my husband, John, to start seminary. The house was smaller and meant downsizing, which included donating a couch and chair I loved because my husband had surprised me with it…
By: Emily Dean Most days I feel overwhelmed. Between managing my family’s busy schedules, church schedules, and my own schedule, I sometimes feel stretched in all directions. The problem is, I am not Elastigirl from the Incredibles who can stretch and keep stretching without being snapped! Do any of you ladies know what I mean?…
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