Mom’s Christmas décor sat in a rubbermaid in the corner. Dad had brought Mom’s decorations to me last year, but I lacked the headspace to unpack them. In moments of longing for Mom’s hugs—I turned to something tangible, left how she left them. Lifting out Mom’s garland, clutching her favorite Christmas ribbon, that matched the…

How did He keep going? Paralytics.Poverty.Disease ravaged bodies.Demon possessed.Defectors.Religious frauds.Injustice.Oppression.Sin.Evil.Death. If Christ needed to withdraw to desolate places to pray, why wouldn’t we? Turning from media and turning to God isn’t turning away from their pain; it’s the surest way to enter it. We cry out, O Lord. “But he would withdraw to desolate places…

Many consider Psalm 88 the darkest of them all— My eyes are dim with grief. … Darkness is my closest friend. (Psalm 88:9, 18.) And yet curiously, the very next Psalm breaks open with— I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever. (Psalm 89:1.) It’s very strange how loud the love of Jesus is…

When my Christmas cards didn’t print right this season, I tried to see it as an opportunity to discard some self-imposed pressure.  But my dryer has been in disrepair for weeks now, and my kitchen faucet, too—after breaking in half 10 days ago. And this was on the heels of the sick-kid merry-go-round, full of fevers…

I love to encourage you with biblical writing. But the best encouragement you will ever receive is the ultimate encouragement of the Gospel. I love you too much to not let you hear about the One who loves you most— A holy God loves us so much that He sent His one,  sinless Child,  Jesus…

Last weekend, I made a three-hour drive to Cider House orchard & venue to speak to women hungry for the Lord. And it stirred some needed encouragement in my bones. The same bones that feel bruised these days because so many are grieving.  Every day, I hear of new pain. This year, my close friend…

I could tell you my personal testimony about my journey with Christ. I could tell you that I accepted the Lord Jesus as my Savior at age six. I could tell you I’m thankful to have been reared by two Jesus-loving parents. I could tell you those parents raised me in church. All thanks be…

A few years ago, Mom came limping into the room, leaning on her new walking stick. It was the first Easter after being diagnosed with an aggressive neurodegenerative disease, and she was trying to make the best of it. Just months prior, she had driven her car for the last time. The woman who spent…

You want to find yourself? The world is urging you to do so. As if recreating and controlling your life will bring you peace. It won’t. You want to find your life? Then lose it. Lose every inch of it in Jesus Christ. That is where your freedom is. Because egos buried in Christ cannot…