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Dear Graduate
I’ve been thinking about you this time of the year, and remembering how it felt to be just on the edge of adulthood and anticipating a new season of life. (It’s been five years, so I’m entitled to a sentimental sigh or two, right?) The excitement, the uncertainty, the unique mixture of sadness over leaving the past and the thrill of finally being done with school and ready to conquer the world! I also think about the struggles you’re going to face over the next few years, and I want to try and make the way just a little smoother for you by sharing some things I’ve learned. In fact,…
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My Favorite Devotional Books and Practical Tips for Quiet Time
Hey friends! I love a good devotional book, so I thought I’d share with you a few of my all-time favorites through the years. Of course, devotional books are never a substitute for actually reading the Bible; nor are they God’s word, so you do have to use discernment as you read them. While I didn’t agree with everything in the books I’ve listed below, yet these have all been a help and blessing to me in my Christian life. Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon. If you are looking for a really “meaty” devotional, this classic would be the one. It contains daily devotions for your mornings and evenings,…
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Yes, Jesus Loves Me
Ah, the favorite children’s song! At our church, we have a tradition that if your birthday falls on a service day, you get to pick your favorite hymn as part of the congregational singing. And this is the most chosen song by the little ones! As a child, you don’t doubt that Jesus loves you—it’s just a simple truth that you accept and rest in. But sometimes, as you get older, life hits. You realize what a big and broken world you live in. It’s easy to begin to wonder, With all the wars and the crime and the big things going on, how can such a great God take…
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My Favorite Reads in 2023
Hey friends! How is it possible that we have only a few days left in this year? I like to take time during this space between Christmas and New Year’s to reflect on the goodness of God over the past months; His faithfulness in the good and the bad times. Remembering His love and provision gives me hope as we enter an uncertain year ahead. We can’t know what it will contain, but what a blessing to walk into it holding tightly to the One Who declares the end from the beginning and Who has promised to always be with us. I have been looking forward to writing this post…
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Emmanuel
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark, the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King." Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Matt. 1:23). God, manifest in the flesh, with us in a sin-sick world. Almighty Lord and Creator of heaven and earth, left His glory and took on human flesh. God, inside a human body. He did not stop being God; rather, He became fully God and fully man. One night in Bethlehem, the…
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When Direction Doesn’t Come Easy
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).” Though often quoted tritely, this verse is a precious promise from the Lord and one that you and I may claim. Today, I’d like to share some things that the Lord has been teaching me personally this summer. I’m speaking from where I am in life right now; but since all of us will find ourselves here at one time or another, I hope that this can be an encouragement to you wherever you are at. I don’t really have answers,…
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Set Up a Stone
“Father, why is this pile of stones here by the river?” the little boy lifted up a questioning face to his father. The man glanced down at his son and smiled. “To remind us of how the Lord Jehovah brought us into the land. He made the waters of Jordan to part, so that we passed over on dry ground.” The little boy clutched his father’s hand more tightly. “Like He did at the Red Sea?” “Yes, like that. The priests carried the ark into the river first. As long they held the ark in the middle of Jordan, the Lord kept the water back. He has done many great…
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Faith, Hope, and Love
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father (1 Thessalonians 1:3). This verse caught my eye during my personal Bible study recently. I found encouragement and a challenge in it that I’d like to share with you today. The Lord presents here such a beautiful picture of the Christian life—a life where faith results in good works, where love motivates us to labor long, and where hope produces patience as we believe the promises of God and eagerly await the return of our Lord Jesus! Work of Faith We know…
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He Knows
I’m a planner. I like to plan my day, my week, my year, my life… you get the idea! However, as some of you are probably thinking already, I have learned that life is not something you can neatly plan. And as time goes on, there are three words I say more and more often in my mind, “I don’t know.” That can be a scary, overwhelming place to be. But it is also a sweet place to be when you draw closer to the One Who knows all things. Today, I want to offer you comfort and encouragement in your life. I want to share with you what the…
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Great is His Faithfulness!
Hello, friends! Today’s post is a bit of a combination—a special Thanksgiving devotional. This time of year, I love to count the many blessings God has given me, and to think about the countless ways that He’s been so good to me. I’d like to share a few specific testimonies of His faithfulness with you, and my prayer is that these testimonies will inspire you to see His hand of love and mercy in your life as well! One year of blogging. Last year, I started out on a new adventure. I’d never done anything like it before, and had absolutely no clue how to create a website! The first…
