I am a recovering perfectionist. When I met my husband, Rick, I would make my kitchen spotless every day. Everything had to be in its perfect place. I’m sure he began questioning what he had gotten himself into. After 18 years of marriage, having boys, and building an emPIEr together, I don’t have time for perfection. I’ve had to learn to rise above it, because the Lord has something better for me. Of course, I struggle still, but I see that seeking ... [keep reading]
What milking the family cow taught me about parenting
The morning sun is just peeping over the horizon as I walk to the pasture, stainless steel milk pail in one hand and a cup of cooling coffee in the other. The family milk cow, Brenda, waits patiently for me at the gate, lazily chewing her cud and keeping rhythm to some unknown cow tune with her swishing tail. I relish this time alone in the morning, just me and the cow and the early sounds of the pasture and the woods around us. The routine is so familiar to both of ... [keep reading]
From servitude to global impact: The story of George Liele
When I was growing up I had two Christian heroes: Corrie Ten Boom and Mary Slessor. I loved reading about their daring lives of service to others. Their strong and fearless faith shaped my own from an early age, and I relished every new piece of information about the two of them. As a little girl, when I saw two women being used so mightily by God, it made me feel like I could take on the world. I have no less affection for Ten Boom or Slessor some thirty-odd years ... [keep reading]
Breathing again: God’s grace for every season of recovery
“It’s like I’ve been dropped onto a different plant and I’m learning to breathe new air.” A petite forty-something year-old woman sat across from me, her blue eyes earnest as she described her new life in recovery. We are in a bustling café with a gourmet menu. Debbie ordered a cheeseburger, maybe because she wanted it, or maybe because it was familiar and safe. She seems like a shy teenager, but that’s how old she was when her life went off the rails. That’s when years of childhood trauma ... [keep reading]
8 things the Bible really says about Mary, the mother of Jesus
When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus, the Bible says that Mary was “confused and disturbed” by what Gabriel had said to her (Luke 1:29). Gabriel saw her reaction and told her not to be afraid because she had found favor with God. Surely, Mary’s heart was thumping inside her chest. But instead of being scared and focused on herself, Mary put her trust in the Lord and said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true” (verse ... [keep reading]
Illuminating truth: The power of honest stories in a dark world
The world can be a dark and dangerous place. You don’t hear that from parents very often, especially godly ones. We tend to reach for softer phrases. We want to protect our kids. Wrap the world in padding. But truth has a way of pressing through. As a father of three (barreling toward an empty nest with fear and trembling), I remember those years of bedtime stories—spinning tales of adventure and peril, where heroes triumphed and rode off into the sunset. Those were precious times. But ... [keep reading]
What makes a Gospel Mom?
The purpose of our motherhood is ultimately rooted in God and his good design. It’s not about us; it’s about him. As women created in God’s image, we exist to “glorify God and enjoy him forever.”3 We do that first and foremost by acknowledging the “bad news” that we are sinners who fall short of the glory of God and have no ability to accomplish this purpose by ourselves. Then, by believing and confessing the gospel or “good news” that Jesus Christ came to save sinners through his life, death, ... [keep reading]
A week in the word: Sing the Bible with your family
Hello, families, Our journey with God is the adventure of a lifetime. With this book, your family gains a valuable tool for the journey. It’s like having a flashlight, a harmonica, a camping stove, a Swiss Army knife, mosquito spray, and UNO all wrapped up into one awesome family adventure pack. As you soak up God’s Word in song—week after week—you will have so much fun together, but you will also confront the edges of your faith. When we keep God’s Word before us, it forces us to ask ... [keep reading]
Going through the (godly) motions of motherhood
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”— Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV) The Lord, through Moses, is establishing the parameters for daily liturgy—a commonplace catechism of worship that requires no church building or rites more sacred than the everyday practices of a family at work and play together. Verse 7 underscores the ... [keep reading]
More than beautiful places, it’s the people who make travel unforgettable
A couple of blocks away from the turquoise waters of the Bohol Sea, my family of seven gathered in a tiny coffee shop for lattes and smoothies. We were eight months into our trip around the world and pros at finding quaint coffee shops in any place. As my teens played another round of Monopoly Deal, I noticed a man stumble outside in front of the shop. Under the influence of something, he spread himself out on the ground in front of the door, blocking anyone from entering or exiting. What Can ... [keep reading]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- …
- 48
- Next Page »
