It’s hard to surrender control. It’s hard to forgive. It’s hard to release resentment. It’s hard to parent. It’s hard to spend more time praying for something than strategizing for it. I get it. It is hard. So very hard. It’s also hard to be holy. It’s also hard to love the Lord our God …
Haircuts, Fleas and Gratitude
Everything was going wrong. My kids were in terrible moods, I was in a terrible mood, and all day long, I kept thinking about my haircut scheduled that evening. I was going to stay at the salon forever. And then I forgot to remind my husband. I watched the clock move closer and closer to …
A little note of encouragement
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom…Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. - Psalm 90 It really is always the same answer - whether in high seasons or low, mundane seasons or chaos: stay …
Surely goodness and mercy – Psalm 23, Part 4
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meall the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the LordForever.- Psalm 23 My son’s shadow is his baby sister. I see this all the time, but recently I was sitting at the park, savoring the fresh air and sunshine, watching her copy his …
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You prepare a table – Psalm 23, Part 3
5You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies;you anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.- Psalm 23 Sometimes I feel entirely unwelcome to approach the Lord. For example, if I’m worked up about something I resist turning on worship music, because I think I need to cool off and “get it together” …
For you are with me – Psalm 23, Part 2
He leads me in paths of righteousnessfor his name’s sake.4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23 “Heads against the headrest!” my dad called back to us from the driver seat. His …
The Lord is my Shepherd – Psalm 23, Part 1
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2He makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside still waters.3He restores my soul.- Psalm 23 My daughter wants to be a mommy when she grows up. My son wants to be a football player. And my youngest, well she just wants to be “tall”. …
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New Years for All Year – Encouragement to read through the whole Bible
We live in a world of endless resources. We have information in print and online, audio and read, free and paid, entertainment and education, tabloid and truth. It can be wonderful. And overwhelming. In a spiritual context, it is no different. We can find Bible studies, articles, sermons, commentary and blog posts for any topic …
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Innocent Distractions
My son recently turned two, and the majority of my days surrounding his birthday were filled with errands and endless tasks prepping for the celebration and a weekend away from home. The whole week felt chaotic, and the morning before our trip, I thought for sure I would lose it, scrambling to somehow get everything …
Christ and competitors for our affections
It was a Saturday morning. I sat poking through my Bible, aimlessly reading some Scripture, hoping to accomplish some Jesus time so I could next scroll through Pinterest. And then I read the first couple verses of John. “In him was life” (John 1:4). I paused and sighed. Of course it is - life is …
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Soaking in the Son 