The Lie of an Empty Cup

· Leave a Comment

One Sunday afternoon, the Lord opened our eyes to a need so we invited a family over for a meal, rather spur-of-the-moment. As I prepped after church, making food and getting the house ready to welcome these impromptu guests, I was faced with a very real temptation. It seemed like despite all my work to ready the house on Saturday for just this kind of opportunity, I still had quite a lot to do to make the home comfortable and I was running out of time to lay down and rest before they arrived. I was fearful that if I didn’t conserve my energy or rest, I would “be no … [Read more...]

You’re Not Powerless: Repenting, Speaking Up, and the Gospel for Us All

· Leave a Comment

    There's a part of me that gave thanks for the news about New York's new "reproductive healthcare" law. I've never, ever had so many men and women filling my Facebook feed with their shock, horror, and grief over abortion. Awareness is heightened, and I'm honestly quite thankful for the way New York has brought this holocaust happening under our noses, right out into the glaring sunlight. It may be God's mercy to us. One of the most heartbreaking things to me in their posts, though, is that a great number of the people expressing their … [Read more...]

Safe and Secure

· Leave a Comment

  I had a mild, maybe moderate anxiety attack in the air this week. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone - I was sitting next to a trusted friend who prayed with me and reassured me about what is true.   It would be two hours and some minutes to our destination. Through the window, the only thing visible was the complete white-out, as we flew through the “polar vortex” depositing winter throughout North America.   On the previous flight, I’d been in the emergency exit row and the door to my right had been allowing a very cold draft to pass through, … [Read more...]

His Righteous Right Hand: An Advent Devotional

· Leave a Comment

*This devotional originally appeared in the Gentle Leading Advent devotional series. You can access the entire series here, and sign up to receive the rest of the devotional in your inbox by clicking this link.   “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians … [Read more...]

If You Remember One Thing This Christmas

· Leave a Comment

I was rushing around the kitchen this week, getting dinner prepped, and directing my boys to finish their homework when the kids’ Sunday School memory verse caught my attention: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV) Sometimes we live sparingly and we sow sparingly in our own lives and in the lives of the people around us. Some days, if we’re honest, … [Read more...]