On Sunday nights, our church breaks into small groups meeting in church people's homes around the area. I've been blessed by this ministry significantly over the past years, and this Sunday night was no exception. Except that it was a blessing in an exceptional way.As I think back, I remember the usual openness and transparency. ... Continue Reading →

Thanking Him for what we've been given -"Every good and perfect gift is from above..." (James 1:17a)And trusting Him for what we need -"...in your light we see light." (Psalm 36:9)Same students, same teacher, same dependable God."The Father of heavenly lights...does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17b)

     photo source Sunday is the anniversary of the death of Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, and Roger Youderian. I mark this date since Jim Elliot was one of my best friends in college. We went through similar crossroads of faith during our young adult years and his example assured me of my... Continue Reading →

Sometimes there is joy at the beginning of a new year - the excitement of the unknown, the freshness of a clean slate, the optimism of new opportunities and adventures. But often for me, a new year is ominous.  It causes an unsettled fear that some bad things are lurking around the corners of the... Continue Reading →

  it's because of this face that i got a lump in my throat while eating lunch at panera some months back. i wasn't quite sure why, but then realized i had glanced at men in suits eating on their lunch hour and knew someday this boy would grow up and have to be a man... Continue Reading →

                                      photo: joy mccarnanyou...seek a city with foundations (Hebrews 13)boast only in the cross (Galatians 6)build as a wise builder, on Christ the one foundation of the church (1 Corinthians 3)preach the gospel of the grace of... Continue Reading →

It doesn't have quite the same ring to it as "The Bible in 90 Days," but I'm not marketing a Bible reading program to a church! 🙂 Last week, I finally finished reading through the Bible, 5 months later than the rest of our congregation, but with God's help, I'm done! God taught me a... Continue Reading →

1 Thessalonians 5:14"And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone."I picked this verse to challenge my heart as we start the school year - kind of tongue-in-cheek since I spend a lot of time 'warning those who are disruptive'... Continue Reading →

Six years ago today at 8:38 PM, I entered the ranks of those who have gone by the beloved name of  'Mom' for centuries before. I now had my own stories of the physical changes involved in pregnancy, the tipping scales, the unpleasant Dr. appointments, and my own labor and delivery drama. I also could... Continue Reading →

Usually, on a birthday post, I would reminisce about your different milestones and accomplishments of the year. However, on your 3rd birthday, as I look back, the things that actually stand out most to me are the milestones I have reached because of you.When Stella went to school last fall, I barely knew the little two-year-old sitting across the... Continue Reading →

I was attempting to write a thoughtful and touching post for you for our anniversary. But then the kids woke up. So much for thoughts period. It's fitting for our lives at this point though, right? We start the day already behind and collapse exhausted into bed at night with a lot still left undone.... Continue Reading →

When Matt, Stella and Ruby surprised me with these flowers last week, a few conversations followed.Stella: Daddy, tonight can we pray that God will help Mommy remember to water the flowers we got her?Stella later that night: Mommy, God is so powerful and He can do anything. He can even help you remember to water... Continue Reading →