Good morning, Lord Jesus. I offer You the first fruits of my first thoughts this new day. You deserve my first, You deserve my best, You deserve my all. … “Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food;...

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be high and lifted up—in my thoughts and heart, in my actions and words, throughout the moments of my day. … “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms...

Have you ever heard the phrase “God cannot love you anymore or less than He does already?” I have and after thinking it through, I was left wondering what else God couldn’t do. Knowing God’s “limitations” gives us a better understanding of exactly who He is. There are at least...

Dear Diary, Sometimes I have written really embarrassing things in you. Sincerely, Grace This is how I felt after re-reading my old journal this afternoon. It’s surprising how easy it is to forget being younger, and all the issues that come with changes in the life of a kid. Issues that aren’t...

Why this icon of rough wood placed on a rocky hill? Why this tree uprooted, replanted and watered with blood? I’m glad you asked. On this piece of wood our Savior hung and died. Some would say it’s an idol, but I don’t worship the cross. I worship the One who died on that cross. I look...

Vacation. The word itself dusts off nearly-forgotten memories of family trips to the warm white beaches of Florida. Days packed with swimming, canoeing, walks, and tennis all end with six exhausted children sprawled out in every space the hotel had to offer. Perhaps one of the most special parts of that...

Have you ever wondered if God is listening? Have doubts that He’ll answer your prayers? It’s not as it seems. God always listens and He speaks to us as well! God just has other means of communicating with everyone who talks to Him, and it’s humans who form a language barrier. Just because we have...

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let God arise in my heart and life today. … “One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city” (Proverbs 16:32). Words are said and left unsaid, things are done and left undone that can touch...

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why should I trust God?” Trust is a delicate issue. No one can simply “produce” trust just because we are commanded to. Trust comes as a result of knowing, believing, and resting in the character or stability of something or someone. This directly relates to trusting...

I never wanted to be a cowboy. That was other boys’ dreams. Instead, I longed to be a knight. There was something awe-inspiring in the way that the men in shining armor rode their horses into battle, killed dragons, and saved fair maidens in distress. It was just the kind of life for me. I even made...

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 “…For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” Matthew 12:34 Our words are an honest assessment of our heart’s condition. It is hard to hide the...

I did something unusual the other day. I wrote in the first space of this week in my day planner “time with God.” You might assume me to be very devout and spiritual, but actually — when I got to thinking about it later, I am quite foolish. The fact that I must “pencil” God into my day reveals...

It was like any other hair salon. It reeked of chemicals, echoed with chattering women, and was carpeted with various colors of hair clippings. I waited silently until a slim young woman approached me to usher me over to her chair. Once seated, I watched the scenes behind me through the mirror and listened...

Lying never worked for me. I remember how I would try to make a poker face with mom, but somehow she always knew if I was telling the truth or not. Can’t you just picture a cute little nine-year-old face, covered in blueberries and smiling up at a bemused parent? “Honest Mom! I didn’t take the...

“For the love of Christ controls us…” (2 Cor. 5:14) Do you sometimes wonder where people find their motivation? Their tasks and difficult obstacles seem never to distract them from accomplishing pivotal goals. They are moved by something deep and constant in their souls, something that quickly...