My Word document sat empty for an hour while the cursor blinked back at me. How long can I stare at this laptop screen and type nothing? I did everything I could to avoid sitting quietly with my laptop and working on my latest writing assignment. I was uncomfortable sitting in the awkwardness of not…

When I went to the store recently, much of the parking lot was blocked off in a large square reserved for a construction project. After finishing shopping, I began to pull away in my vehicle when I saw a man maybe 15 yards away waving his arms at me to stop. “Does there happen to…

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…