The summer before I left for college, I took a job as a kitchen hand at a camp in Colorado. Situated on a mountain 11,000 feet above sea level, our little camp had some of the most astonishing views. The very best of these views could be seen from the front porch of our lodge. That summer I became a morning person. Each dawn, the promise of a warm cup of coffee drew me from my cozy cabin and across the frosted lawn. I would situate myself on the porch and open God’s Word, but I rarely ... VIEW POST
Romans 19:1 Renewing Wonder
Isaiah 7:14: The Bearing Season
There are countless themes running throughout the Bible, weaving together a rich tapestry of colors and stories. As we enter Christmas week, there’s a particular thread that’s worth following. It’s the theme of “bearing” and if we look closely, we can see it running all throughout God’s plan for humanity. It is in the Garden, as He creates two beings who bear his image. It is in a covenant promise to an elderly couple who will bear a nation as numerous as the stars. It is in ... VIEW POST
Romans 8:23 Settling into the Christmas Spirit
“Mama, come snuggle with me!” my son called out. I left my wrapping and climbed under the blanket, happily snuggling him in front of our tree. “The lights are so beautiful,” he whispered sweetly. “They are.” I agreed. I live for these moments at Christmas. Don’t get me wrong–I love the shopping, wrapping, and baking. I enjoy the holiday parties and fun. But these quiet moments? They’re where the magic is. Yet, in that moment, I felt a sadness settle into my soul. ... VIEW POST
Romans 12:12 Hold on to Hope
I don’t have to look very far to find chaos, unrest, loss and sickness. And yet there is also one other thing: HOPE. In the middle trying times, I hold on to my faith in the God of the universe with white knuckles. When I start to let go, the world around me seems unbearable. When I fix my eyes on Jesus and hold tight, I have hope. Paul reminds us in Romans 12 to “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and be constant in prayer.” I love lists because they give me direction. These three ... VIEW POST
Esther 4:14- For Such a Time as This
I’ve had days where I could see God at work in my life clearly. I wish I could say that was the norm, but there have been SO many more times when following God has been the simple consistency of seeking His Word, going to church, waiting for His direction and taking steps by faith. In the Bible, Esther is an exiled Jew living in Babylon who marries King Ahasuerus. She is given a unique opportunity to rescue her people from imminent death due to an edict from her husband and Haman, the king’s ... VIEW POST
Zephaniah 3:17: He Meets Us In Our Mess!
The smell of sour milk overwhelmed my senses the moment I opened my daughter's bedroom door. As I neared her crib, I could see she had been sick; the mess was everywhere. A wave of panic rolled over me followed immediately by a wave of compassion. I quickly set into action, reaching into the crib and drawing my daughter out, placing her feverish body against my chest. My presence calmed her and I felt her relax as we rocked. Soon she was in clean pajamas, her bed stripped and cleaned, and ... VIEW POST
