How good are you at waiting? We live in pretty much an instant-gratification world, so waiting has become something of a lost art. When we’re stuck in a painful place—when we’re mourning, physically ill, or heart-heavy—it can be really hard to wait for things to get better. The psalmist believed…
In 1984, an artist named Bonnie Tyler released a song called, “Holding Out For a Hero.” I think a lot of people are looking for a hero—someone to rescue them and set their world to right. The thing is, a Hero is available to them if they’d only look to…
I’ve spent a lot of time pondering and praying about the call to “love like Jesus.” There’s no denying Jesus loved big. He was so compassionate. He didn’t shy away from spending time with and meeting the needs of the lowliest of the low in the cities and towns He…
HYMN DAY! “Let Your Heart Be Broken” is set to the tune of “Like a River Glorious.” I love these words—what a bold challenge to us as believers to set an example of Jesus! Let your heart be broken for a world in need: Feed the mouths that hunger, soothe…
When I think of people who have inspired me in my Christian walk, I think of my mom and dad, a couple of former ministers, several people I’ve met in the work place or church—people who showed an example of faithfulness despite the trials and hardships of life. Their leaning…
His hands made us! Whenever I hear, “My body, my choice,” I cringe. This isn’t because of politics, though. It’s because it ignores the truth that each of us are created in His image and are called to seek and follow Him instead of living only for self. Elsewhere in…
There’s a common mindset that if the going gets hard, abandon it, because you deserve happiness. On the surface it sounds pretty good, but is it really? I would imagine an athlete would tell you the training that goes into being good enough to compete in the Olympics is hard,…
When I was a kid, my parents had a rule for my brother and me: no matter what other children were doing, we were to behave ourselves. Of course, they’d prefaced this with instruction on what they considered appropriate behavior, so there wasn’t any excuse when we chose unwisely. It’s…
HYMN DAY! “Come, All Christians, Be Committed,” by Eva B. Loyd is a call to both commitment and action. Come, all Christians, be committed To the service of the lord; Make your lives for him more fitted, Tune your hearts with one accord. Come into His courts with gladness, Each…
A little boy who was known for being ornerier than most dashed to his parents’ waiting car after school and flopped into the backseat with a huge grin. He cheerfully announced, “I had a good day today! I only got three time-outs instead of five!” Despite our best efforts, we…
