When I was young my mother took my little brother and I to the library every two weeks. I loved the distinctive smell of paper married with ink. Fascinated by the endless collection of shelves packed with dreams and dictionaries, histories and fantasies, I wondered how thoughts made the journey from someone’s mind to the […]
1. To advance the kingdom. Jesus told us to love others as we love ourselves. Maybe you’ve embraced only part of this truth—that you are only supposed to be concerned with loving others. That seems to be the more spiritual thing to do. But that’s only part of what Jesus said. We are also supposed […]
Below is a list of common attributes and false beliefs that women battling relationship addiction often have. Read through the list and check the ones you identify with. If you can relate to several of the bulleted items, chances are you struggle with relationship addiction. Before you get started, however, I have a confession to […]
My father and I were never very close. As an adult looking back, I can see how much he loved me, but as a young girl, I longed for his affection and lingering conversation. Instead, his demeanor often seemed tense and our dialogues were laced with, “Get to the point, Chrissy!” I grew up with the distinct perception that I was […]
How do you deal with regrets once you have repented? Do you easily accept God’s forgiveness and move on, never really thinking about your sin again? Or do you think that the amount of sorrow you feel over your sin somehow justifies your right to be forgiven? 2 Cor 7:10 says this: “Godly sorrow brings […]
I grew up in a home where it was understood that holidays were required family gatherings. It was an absolute. No excuses. But that didn’t mean everyone looked forward to them. That didn’t mean everyone got along. Sometimes we just tolerated each other long enough for the family photo at the dining table. Far too often, […]
A sold sign stood proud in our yard on 82nd Street. I sat in the living room surrounded by boxes and bubble wrap as a strange feeling of bliss and panic crawled up my chest. We had less than three weeks to move. After raising our blended family of four children, my husband John and […]
These were the words spoken by Gabriel to Mary informing her that she was going to have a baby: The Holy Spirit will come on you and the power of the most high will overshadow you. An interruption. An unplanned pregnancy. A divine conception. God does that a lot. Besides babies, He births other things […]
I hate New Year’s resolutions. I start out with great intentions, but they rarely stick past the first few weeks. So several years ago I quit making resolutions. Instead, I began asking God for a New Year’s Revelation—a word directly from His heart to mine. A word that would empower me to new heights in […]
My husband is a tosser. I’m a keeper. Only to hear John’s side, he might say I’m a borderline hoarder. It’s my parents fault. Mom and Dad grew up in the depression. We saved things. Dad’s garage had a ledge neatly lined with fifty Swisher Sweets cigar boxes we might need someday. And my mom—forget […]