By Margaret Kemp Her words stung. They shouted louder than all the positive comments I’d received. I had stepped out of my comfort zone and accepted the responsibility for a task beyond my area of expertise. In the days and nights leading up to the event, anxiety over the outcome disrupted my sleep and consumed
How to Deliver a Difficult Message by Speaking Truth in Love Read More »
By Sarah Frazer The house was quiet. After taking my kids to school, I returned home. I put my keys on the kitchen counter, hung my purse by the door, and walked to the coffeemaker. My cup was half filled with cold coffee. Do I pour more or just heat this up? I glanced toward
4 Ways to Let Go of Perfectionism in Your Quiet Time Read More »
By Beth Ferguson I once planted tomatoes in the Texas summer heat with more optimism than gardening skill. Every morning, I walked outside to inspect tiny green sprouts. I watered. I bought fertilizer. Huge, ugly insects appeared. Leaves eaten. Fruit disappeared to birds and bugs. Life can sometimes feel this way. We wait, watch, and
When Waiting Makes You Wonder, God Remains Faithful Read More »
By Sarah McClelland I peel back the plastic on a pack of raw chicken. The grayish color and sour smell tell me everything—I’d waited too long to cook it. What a waste! I cringe and toss the family-pack of meat into the trash. I worked hard to stick to the food budget, and now I
Why Your Work Is Never Wasted Read More »
By Shelly Snead My home is where plants come to die—not gracefully, but by total neglect. While I appreciate the beauty and health benefits of flowers and flourishing plants, I lack the knowledge and discipline to keep them alive. Years ago, I purchased a potted tomato plant, determined to become a gardener. I left it
4 Ways to Cultivate Faithfulness Through Rhythms of Grace Read More »
By Lynda Kelly I sit at my desk and look up at a framed Scripture that reads, “Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor 4:2 KJV). I received this gift as a young pastor’s wife 45 years ago. This verse anchored and guided me through uncharted waters, led
Understanding Biblical Stewardship: The Temporary Caretaking of Eternal Things Read More »
By Sharla Hallett God is good all the time; all the time God is good. I grew up with the first line of that phrase said from the church pulpit, and the congregation responded with the second line. But sometimes we question the goodness of God. How can a good God allow bad things to
How to See the Goodness of God in Tough Times Read More »
By Lyneta Smith Planting new seeds is exciting, and harvesting the bounty is gratifying. But what about all the in-between work of weeding, watering, fertilizing, and pruning? Gardening can be hard, thankless work with no guarantee of yielding a good return on our labor investment. The same could be said for kingdom work, whether we’re
5 Ways to Stay Motivated When You’re Weary of Doing Good Read More »
By Kathleen Giles On “Name Tag Sunday,” I was scheduled to make the ministry announcements at church. As the lights dimmed, I fished my staff name tag out of my pocket and clicked the magnetic halves together on my lapel before going onstage. After the announcements, I invited the congregation to turn and greet one
Speaking the Truth in Love: A Lesson in Biblical Kindness Read More »
By Amy Catlin Wozniak The morning was quiet, coffee within reach, a blanket pulled over my lap, and my worn Bible open. Tears pricked my eyes at the familiar words: “Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” – Luke
6 Expressions of God’s Kindness in the Prodigal Son Parable Read More »
