Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. [...]
Tag: family
Why I “make” them go to church…
"I can't believe you are taking us to church when there is ice outside. You don't even give us a choice!" And he is right. It was cold. There was frost on the windshield. On the porch. On the steps. And, no...he didn't have choice. Yes. I MAKE my kids get up and go to [...]
Dear Weary Mama…
Dear Weary Mama, I know the kind of day you have had. Today was one of those "nice" days. One of those days when the chill of winter was finally gone from the air. There was not a cloud in the sky. The sun was shining, and the temperature just right. After a season [...]
An open letter to a young father
The picture above is me at around 22. My oldest about 3. Tomorrow that little boy will be celebrating the first birthday of his own son, at the tender age of 21. Tonight as we settle down for Sunday dinner and celebrate this precious life on the eve of that momentous birthday, I want that [...]
Would you go where they go?
"How do they do it? How do they find each other? It's like they can sniff out each other's chaos?" These are sometimes the conversations I have about the relationships amongst growing kids. How they decide to form attachments to those who are either good or bad for them. How we, as adults, do the [...]
Who of you by grumbling?
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. [...]
we have all been in the boat
I am blessed to live in an area that affords me space to seek quiet and solitude surrounded by nature and picturesque views. I often find myself when I have a few moments alone scurrying down to the fishing pond close to my home with a book to read for a few, and to spend [...]
Weary, Worn, and In Need of Peace? Ask…
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. Psalm 121:7 "Ms. January is base. Now you can't get me!" Each week prior to our Wednesday night lesson at church, our children have a time of play. Their favorite game it seems week in and week out is a good, old-fashioned game [...]
Sometimes There Is Nothing Left To Do But Laugh
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. Psalm 126:2 "Whose idea was this?" This is what I ask my husband as our son sits and screams on the bathroom floor. "Whose idea was what?" "Parenthood. Which one of us thought that was a great idea?" We know, we [...]
Saying Yes to a Little Rest
It is useless for you to work hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest for his loved ones. Psalm 127:2 There is a phrase I have heard many times during my years in both lay and pastoral ministry: You can be doing many "good" [...]
Straight Up: Messy Truth 