I find myself weeping at the picture of a holy God “prospering” as a servant, despised and rejected by the creation he made and then led to the slaughter like a little, helpless lamb. And I realize, every year in a new way, that God’s strength and defense against our enemies is in the picture of a lamb led to the slaughter. The most likely Christian celebrity– Jesus himself– became a servant unto death, even death on a cross.  Read More

So we pray. We pray for God to defend us outwardly and inwardly. And while the times we were struck by adversities might be easier to bring to mind, let us focus on all of the times that He has been gracious enough to let us be healthy, because it is only God that can help us.  Read More

I’m grateful for Thanhha Lai’s gentle honesty and masterful ability to write about her own painful experience in a way that encourages and brings hope without diminishing the painful aspects of loss and suffering. I hope the few hours you spend between the pages of this story remind you to step with love and care into the lives of others and to hold your own story with hopefulness and trust.  Read More

God already knows what is inside the husked up heart of mine and I can stop working hard to hide it. I can lay it all bare and there will be Jesus! Tempted in every way, yet sinless, perfect on my behalf.  Read More

Jonathan and Maya’s story is reminiscent of both the story of Joseph and the story of Esther and ultimately, the story of Christ. As a 16 year old, Jonathan was convicted of a crime he did not commit and sentenced to 65 years in adult prison. Maya, coming through the ranks as a talented, hard working, basketball player, works her way to a position of power and privilege. As these stories begin to intersect, you see the hand of God at play; slowly weaving the pieces of the puzzle together. Working out his justice in the most painful and yet powerful ways.  Read More

Transitions is a deeply insightful and compassionate book that I believe everyone can benefit from, particularly during times of uncertainty. It gave me not only practical tools for managing change but also emotional reassurance that transitions are natural, albeit challenging, parts of life. The timeless wisdom in the book helped me view change less as something to fear and more as something to embrace, even if it comes with discomfort.  Read More

What if we just tried to pursue happiness? In this piece, we’ll explore how prioritizing happiness in God can transform how we approach the new year, and can lead us to experience real, lasting change. In this post, I’d like to turn our focus to an individual who lived a highly effective, highly joyful, well-formed, Godward life to see if he might have some wisdom for us today.  Read More

Is there anything more counter-cultural than the season of Advent? While the world around us speeds up in the frenzy of holiday preparations, Advent invites us to slow down. As we are tempted to fill our days with distractions, Advent calls us to pause and face the deeper longings within us. In a world that often tries to numb our pain, Advent beckons us to stop and confront it honestly. As follow...  Read More

In All My Knotted-Up Life, Beth Moore invites readers into the vibrant and heartfelt journey of her life. She shares her transformation from a small-town girl to a celebrated Bible teacher, weaving together stories of faith, resilience, and humor. With candor and warmth, Beth opens up about her personal struggles, including battles with insecurity and navigating church life, all while emphasizing the power of grace and authenticity. Her love for God and passion for helping others shine through every page, making it a delightful and inspiring read. Through her ups and downs, Beth encourages us all to embrace our own unique stories and find joy in the messy, beautiful journey of faith.   Read More

The October book of month is…(I’m assuming you are holding your breath)… Compassion & Conviction by Justin Giboney, Michael Wear, and Chris Butler!  In today’s polarized political climate, many of us feel caught in the middle—too progressive for conservatives and too conservative for progressives. So, where do we fit in? How can we advocate for truth while showing compassion? How do we engage in p...  Read More

We pray together that we would submit our acts of faith to Him in love. Knowing that we never see the full picture that God is at work repairing but we do know that only what is done in love is worth something.  Read More

"The solution to burnout isn’t rest but wholeheartedness." This powerful sentiment resonated deeply with me, particularly during my own struggles with burnout. I realized that simply resting wasn't as rejuvenating as I had hoped. This central theme captures the essence of our September Book of the Month, Wholehearted by Chuck DeGroat.  Read More