By Lynda Kelly “Should we take grandma an umbrella?” my daughter asked. A crack of thunder split the sky. Within seconds, rain poured down—the kind of desert storm that turns streets into rivers. I hesitated. It was late. The logical part of me offered every excuse to stay dry and safe at home. Mama only […]
The Transformative Power of Love: A Story of Umbrellas and Grace Read More »
By Maureen Miller I scan my yard. Drat! Too many weeds! Bending, I take hold and yank. But rather than pulling out a single strand of green, the tug reveals more than I could see. The plant didn’t break away from its roots. Instead, the intricate underground system comes up with the weed. I pull
Connection: The Root System for a Fruitful Christian Life Read More »
By Dr. Billy Ready, Jr. The froth-formed heart in my latte had long since dissolved as I absently stirred the cooling drink. Across the worn wooden table of the coffee shop, my friend shared the raw details of his wife’s unfaithfulness. His voice cracked with emotion. The gentle buzz of my phone felt like a
Listening Well, Loving Well Read More »
By Joanna Eccles Years ago, a close family member got sick, and we didn’t know if he would survive. He went to countless hospitals and kept getting worse. I lived far away and felt helpless. I flew six times over six months to help, but it never seemed like it was enough. I could’ve hidden
Self-Sufficiency Is Overrated: How to Ask for Help When Life Falls Apart Read More »
By Daeyna Otieno Not long ago, my life was a whirlwind of activities. I was juggling a new job, family, and church commitments. There were never enough hours in a day. One evening, I was rushing to prepare dinner when my husband tapped me on the shoulder, smiled, and hugged me. I paused, really looked
How to Find Joy in Simplicity Read More »
By Jana Carlson When my oldest daughter was engaged, I set aside my normal routine and dove into wedding planning. The joyous celebration of this matrimony deserved the best I had to give. My days quickly filled with attending wedding dress fittings, hosting guests, offering a shoulder to cry on at unexpected moments, and rescheduling
How to Love People Well: 4 Biblical Truths to Love Like Jesus Read More »
By Jill Miller Near my kitchen’s glass doors, I placed a few feeders in a tree for birds that like to eat while perched. Since some birds prefer feeding off the ground, I always make sure to spread some feed on the patio. On this patio, I’ve observed two very different pairs of birds—the sparrows
How to Love Your Spouse Well | A Bible Lesson Inspired by a Pair of Birds Read More »
By Joanna Eccles I used to date Jesus every Wednesday. I’d get dressed up and take my Bible to a coffee house to spend time with the Lord. My journey to know Jesus brought me to the book of John. If you want to know Jesus, you’ll find His heart by searching through John. For almost a
Double Dates with Jesus: 3 Keys to Effective Discipleship Read More »
By Amanda Bridle I recently confessed to a friend that I was in a dark place. Something I felt God called me to wasn’t going as I expected. In fact, if you looked at the results of my efforts from a worldly perspective, you might even categorize it as a failure. I admitted I had
Use Your Words: Sharing God’s Love Through the Ministry of Mail Read More »
By Laura Sumpter The freshness of the sea air and the whisper of the wind brushed my face as I pushed open the creaky wooden gate. Our excursion had taken us to the home of an elderly lady who sat near us every Sunday at church. “Come around to the back,” she called to
7 Ways to be a Positive Role Model for Teens Read More »
