Tribute to Mothers

May 12, 2013

 

Mothers deserve praise! What makes mothers so special? What would you say about mothers? According to our Mother’s Day poetry contest winners, mothers are truly gifts from God. Thanks to all of you who entered! As I promised, here are the three winners of our poetry contest and their tributes to mothers. Read more

Hope: Bible Promise for Today

April 22, 2013

“He tears me down on every side till I am gone; he uproots my hope like a tree.” (Job 19:10 NIV)

Some of you just read that and are asking, “Where is the hope in that verse?” In fact, right now some of you may be feeling like the one who spoke those words. Read more

Book Giveaway: Congo Dawn

April 8, 2013

The questions arose in Job’s day. And people are still asking them today. Read more

Who Will Roll Away Your Stone?

March 25, 2013

 

 

Do you have stones stuck in deep ruts at the entrance of your heart—stones of fear, rebellion, despair, or discouragement? Do they loom so large, you surrender at the thought of even trying to remove them?

Easter is about removing stones.

When Mary and the other women approached the tomb after Jesus’ death, Read more

When Can Silence Hurt? The Power of Encouragement

March 18, 2013

Most of us have heard that silence is golden. But sometimes silence can hurt.

We held one of those infamous garage sales at our home a couple of years ago–the kind where you clean out closets, drag out forgotten things from under beds, and purge the garage of stacked “stuff” that won’t fit into your house. It’s always fun to meet interesting people who stop by to view your wares. Occasionally, they’ll stay long enough to share personal stories.

This sale was no exception. An attractive boomer-age woman who came by told us of an experience that happened to her mother years earlier. This is my paraphrase of her story:

Her mom had just moved to a large metropolitan area and was hoping to meet and make friends in her new home. She joined several organizations, including a local church. But no one would befriend her. No one even spoke to her.

Is it my deodorant? My clothes? The way I talk? A hundred questions raced through her mind, but she found no answers. Women seemed to avoid her as if she had a contagious disease. No one spoke to her or invited her to their home. Read more

What Do You Want Jesus to Do for You?

March 11, 2013

I had just read the familiar passage in Mark 10:46-52 where a blind beggar was calling out to Jesus on the outskirts of Jericho. The question Jesus asked the beggar suddenly became personal to me: “What do you want me to do for you?”

So I began this imaginary conversation with Jesus, as if He were asking me that question.

Notice the beggar’s simple but desperate plea: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And when Jesus asked him the above question, the blind man replied, “I want to see!”

My imaginary conversation with Jesus went something like this:

“What do you want me to do for you?

“What do you want me to do for You?”

“I asked you first.” Read more

Books to Read and Book Giveaway: The Moses Quilt

March 4, 2013

If you’re looking for inspiring books to read, The Moses Quilt shares both a contemporary, interracial romance of two young people, Mazi Hartford and Edward Clayton, and the story of Harriet Tubman, a former slave. Through the pages of history, author Kathi Macias skillfully weaves a courageous tale told piece by piece through the quilt owned by Mazi’s great grandmother. She does a good job of bringing contemporary and history together in a unique way.

Mazi’s reluctance to marry Edward is a puzzle both to him and other family members. Even Mazi herself doesn’t understand her hesitancy. But the quilt–and the journey she follows through Harriet Tubman’s life–may help her find the thread she needs.

The plot is simple, and so are the characters. You won’t find an in-depth page turner here, but  you will discover a story that crosses racial and generational boundaries–and one in which one woman’s courage made a lasting difference to those around her–and to succeeding generations.

Keep reading to find out how to enter the book giveaway. Read more

Five Ways to Handle Irrational Fear

February 25, 2013

Mind-crippling, spine-tingling, heart-stomping fear–we’ve all experienced it at one time or another. Fears of several varieties took hold of my heart early on as a young adult, but through the years God has brought amazing freedom.

We’re not talking about the good kind of fear that alerts your spirit to an approaching enemy,  that moves you into action to protect the ones you love, or that promotes a healthy respect for God. Those fears are healthy. And not all fears are irrational. Some move in and out quickly without disrupting our lives.

But what about the other kind? Where does irrational fear originate? And how do you keep those fears from taking permanent residence in your life? Here are five ways to handle irrational fear: Read more

A Valentine Challenge: How Can We Mirror God’s Heart?

February 11, 2013

Do we…can we…mirror God’s heart? Valentine’s Day is all about love. How can we love more like God? How can we reflect our Father God’s heart? Read more

Where Do You Go to Find Peace?

February 4, 2013

How can a troubled heart find peace in the midst of turbulence? How can tears find a path to restored joy? Where do you go to find peace? Read more

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