There are several ornaments that are special to me, but this nail will always be a particular favorite. It reminds me that no matter how much commercialization there may be, Christmas is a celebration of vulnerability. This vulnerability is a unique combination of thought and emotion that touches us in so many ways—driving down a …
The Wonder of it All
We live in a cynical culture, in a cynical world. If you aren’t intentional about cultivating joy and peace in your own heart and mind, life can get challenging when joy is reduced to selfish commercialism, and peace is buried under negativity and frustration. Jesus said "Unless you repent—change how you think—and are transformed to …
The Light in Awe
The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It doesn’t say the fear of failure is wisdom, nor fears of loss, getting hurt, or there not being enough. You just can't find a verse that says, "Fearing the future is a great way to deal with the world." The fear …
Journey with Joy
Many of us have broken areas God is healing. Know that's okay. You're okay. I know it’s natural to put up walls to protect yourself when you’re in pain, but please, please keep yourself sensitive to God’s presence. When you remove yourself from the elemental joy of His process of becoming whole, it’s opposite, bitterness, …
Climbing the Right Tree
No one asks for difficult days. But with each one, you’ve been learning more and more about living from the tree of life, rather than the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Consuming from the tree of knowledge means determining the value of everything and everyone you encounter on your own, relying only …
Equip Your Spirit 