You are #DeeplyLoved (even if you doubt it)
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) One of the best gifts I gave my kids, according to them, was the freedom to doubt and question their faith. This may seem counter-intuitive. [...]
Meditate on God’s promises
Do you ever find yourself hurrying through Scripture? Skimming to get it done, but not letting it soak in? Then wondering why you're left feeling uninspired? It doesn't have to be that way. The Bible [...]
How to increase your Bible knowledge
Have you ever sat in church listening to a sermon, and the pastor says something like, "Well, in the original language, the word in this passage meant..."--and kind of felt a sort of longing, or [...]
Four alternatives to family devotions: family spiritual practices
Family devotions have often felt like an epic fail for us. When my children were small, my husband and I wanted to be what we thought were good Christian parents, so we read Bible stories [...]
The favor of God
The sun has not shone here in the midwest for days. In this deep and dark December, I'm aware of my own shortcomings, my own mistakes--the darkness of pride, discontent, anger inside me. Life has [...]
Let the Word minister to you
As the early morning light filters through the trees in my back yard, the morning glories along the deck railing lift their faces. I sit, open Bible and journal before me. The birds twitter a [...]
Spiritual healing
Do you want to be well? Do you live as if you do? Because we do not drift into wellness--physical, spiritual or otherwise. The fifth chapter of John's gospel opens with a jarring story. Jesus [...]
Labor in vain…
Standing at the kitchen sink, my peripheral vision catches a glimpse of something flitting past the window. I hear the uncomfortable sound of scratching, rustling, against the aluminum siding. I walk to the back door and look [...]
The Wildness of Holy Week
So we begin, the slow progression toward Jerusalem. If my scope remains too narrow, I live as if heading for Good Friday, waiting for the pain, inevitable and sharp. Certain that circumstances will deteriorate. In [...]
The words within the Word
I'm guest blogging at the FullFill blog, as a follow up to our webinar on Deeper into the Word last week. My article, God's Word: Our Life, begins: God says about his Word: "Command your [...]