Written by Guest Contributor Holley Gerth.
She bows her head and thanks God for the birds outside the window. I think of little bluebirds formed from play-dough years ago.
She offers gratitude for the unusually warm weather, the wind in the trees. I think of a hundred barefoot days, green grass, picnics and play.
She whispers appreciation for beds to hold all of us, the blessing of being under one roof. I think of bedtime stories, covers tucked around me, kisses on my forehead.
She gives thanks for the little things.
She always has.
And as she does, I give thanks for her.
Continue Reading »
Several weeks ago, my husband challenged me to change my thinking. He suggested that whenever I get worried about something, instead of sitting in fear, I turn my worry into thanks.
For example, if I was worried about finances, I would recognize the worry and then thank God for providing for our family and for His abundance.
I fought doing this.
Like crazy.
I wanted to sit in my worry — because I knew all the answers, right? Slowly, I found that instead of trusting I was becoming a bit pessimistic. And this, my friends, goes against my nature. So Todd, my husband, asked me again to praise whenever I was fearful.
Continue Reading »
M.J. Corrales
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer.
I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 NKJV)
When was the last time you were slapped in the face with God’s truth? Oh, sure, we read about it in the Bible, sit in church and Sunday School and listen to it every week, and perhaps even have a daily quiet time when we study it. But when was the last time the truth in the Scripture jumped up and hit us right where we live?
Continue Reading »
Jeri Stuckard
It was the day before Valentine’s Day. I stood there in the bathroom reading the pregnancy test strip. It was screaming the unmistakable word: PREGNANT! My husband and I had planned on having two children, possibly three. And, here it was…baby number two on the way. Shaking, I walked into the kitchen where my husband was standing. He had just finished talking to his sister on the phone. Ironically, her daughter gave birth to her second child that very day! I don’t remember exactly what I said but I believe it went something like this: “Honey, we got an early Valentine’s gift…I am pregnant.”
Continue Reading »
Jeri Stunkard
Today, as I was coming out of the pet food store a woman approached me asking for money. She said her car was at the Goodyear down the block. The water pump had gone out and she was stranded here. She was short some of the money to pay for the repairs and asked if I could help her.
I don’t remember where she was headed. To be shamefully honest, I was too busy trying to figure out in my head how to tell her “no”. I only had $20 in my purse and I didn’t want to part with it.
Continue Reading »
Desiree Rutter
Recently, a good friend that lives in the same small town that we do called to let me know she was really burned out at her church and she really couldn’t bear much more. She wasn’t growing. In fact, she was parched. Serving had become a duty and not a pleasure. The list went on and on of why she could not worship there anymore.
I, being a pastor’s wife, am sure she was looking to me for some godly counsel. Well, I really did not have any to offer. I did not want her to come to our church unless the Lord Himself rained down fire from heaven calling them to move there.
Continue Reading »
by Sarah
I love my children. I have two girls, ages 4 and 6. They are my heart and my purpose. Even when they make me crazy, as children are wont to do. I received a gift when I became a mother, and it was more than just a baby. It was insight into the heart of God. I have learned more about the nature of God since I had my first child 6 years ago than I learned in the 25 years prior.
I can’t tell you how many times I am in the midst of a mommy moment and the light bulb goes on above my head.
Continue Reading »
I closed the book in stunned silence. My heart had been pierced by ten simple words. I wanted sit and absorb the truth. I needed to pray with a repentant heart.
Too bad I was in the middle of a homeschool lesson and the story I had just finished was intended to be character training for my children.
We were reading about David Livingstone, explorer and missionary to the people of Africa. Dave and Neta Jackson chronicle his story as well those of other heroes of our faith in Hero Tales.
This great man of “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” fame accomplished amazing things for the kingdom.
Continue Reading »
