I’m so glad that my college-sweetheart-turned-husband and I got engaged before the era of social media. There’s so much pressure these days to pull out all the stops while popping the question. Just do a quick search online for the most romantic proposals. Or the most creative proposals. Or even those where the bride is …
If you were to say what you think are the three most common reasons for marital un-bliss, what matters would be thrown into the mix? Money? Sex? In-laws? Parenting? Or perhaps the newcomer on the block – competing with technology for the attention of your spouse? (Who among us hasn’t wished our spouse would stop …
Do you ever find yourself “freaking out” with fear? My imagination can concoct all sorts of scenarios peppered with dread and doom. Sometimes I can’t shake fear as I try to fall asleep. But I have come to trust this perspective-shifting truth: God is not worried. He’s not in heaven wringing His hands, wondering just how …
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) The sound of clanking silverware and clinking dishes wafted through the air as my husband and I sat …
“But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying, ‘You are my God!’ My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.” Psalm 31:14-15 (NLT) “Mom, quick … look at that lady!” My 14-year-old son shouted as we headed down the interstate on an errand-running Thursday afternoon. “She should not …
“Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27a (CSB) I once overheard a conversation while playing softball as a teen. Our left-fielder, while describing another woman, declared, “Oh she is almost so heavenly minded that she’s no earthly good!” It made me wonder, is this …
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV) Last week, my 19-year-old decided to head …
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26 (ESV) I sat at a women’s conference lunch table that was charmingly decorated with fresh flowers and laden with delicious …
“Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, ‘So, couldn’t you stay awake with Me one hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’” Matthew 26:40-41 When I was a new Christian, I discovered a pamphlet entitled How …
The year was 1931 — the height of the Depression era in the United States. In East Texas lived a man named F.K. Lathrop. Like many people at the time, Mr. Lathrop was a common laborer struggling to stretch his meager weekly paycheck to provide for his family’s needs. He worked at the local plow …
