The Open Road
Final words are important. When someone realizes their time on earth has come to an end, they sense what truly matters and attempt to express these words of wisdom to family and friends…
Loving in Little Ways
Even when our schedules are packed and our bank accounts are drained, we have the power to speak uplifting words to others. Words have power. Giving a kind word can change someone’s day. Going out of our way to let someone know that we care about them, we are praying for them, or even that we simply like the shirt they’re wearing can be uncomfortable. But those around us are worthy of hearing loving words, because every person we encounter is made in the image of God. Jesus shed His blood for every person we come in contact with.
A Better Tomorrow
Living on the coast of North Carolina, chances are good you know of someone whose world got turned upside down because of a hurricane. It might be a co-worker, neighbors down the street, family, or friends. Perhaps it's even you…
A Beautiful Melody
The elementary school I attended wanted to expose students to arts and music as early as possible. One way they accomplished this goal was our 5th-grade band. During the year, every student tested out different instruments to see if one sparked their fancy. We all got a turn playing things like the saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, and violin…
Be The Hope
During troubling times, the world longs for a calming and gentle voice. For most people my age raised on PBS, that individual was Mr. Rogers. Let's be honest: we all wanted to be his neighbor…
Why We Shine
We rarely turn on the lights in a room to stare directly at the lights themselves. (In fact, doing so can cause eye damage. Don’t do that.) Lights are a means to an end—they serve to illuminate the things around them. They help us to see clearly and navigate our surroundings skillfully.
What Keeps You?
We live in a world that operates in the exact opposite posture. The goal is to be served. That is where the power is and that is how we know we’ve made it— by the way people cater to us or cower to us. But in Christ, we are to share the same mindset and follow the same model, and that is the posture of a servant.
Hitting Snooze
Studies have shown that 57% of Americans utilize the snooze button regularly. Those numbers mean that we spend 3.5 months of our lives hitting the snooze button on average. We ignore the buzzer going off welcoming us to a new day…d
Mary and Martha
Rdesting is my struggle. If things are out of place, I have difficulty sitting and listening. I like to ensure my tasks are completed before I sit and read, engage in conversation, or watch a movie. If the dishes in my sink are done, then I am all yours! It's hard for me to admit, but I am a Martha.
For the World
What can the church do for me? We live in an age of consumption, with this mindset sinking its teeth into Christianity. We church shop looking for a community that fits our every want, need, and wish…
Bitter Cookies
When my wife was in her final stretch of nursing school, I wanted to do something special for her a few years back. So after a long weekend of studying, I decided to whip up a sweet treat - a batch of chocolate chip cookies. I'm not a baker, but I can follow simple directions, or so I thought…
Words I Can Understand
When I was in high school, I went on a cross-cultural trip to Germany. I stayed with a local family while sightseeing and immersing myself in the culture. Unfortunately, I utilized German class for my afternoon nap, so I couldn't speak, read or understand the language…
How?
One of my favorite summer traditions involves watching America's Got Talent with my family. Over the years, we’ve all had our "Golden Buzzer" favorite picks, but one contestant named Shin Lim stood out to all of us. Shin is without question the greatest up-close magician I have ever seen…
The Battle for the Remote
Like most teens, my two daughters bicker from time to time. Most skirmishes tend to center on clothes, makeup, and hogging the bathroom when the other is attempting to get ready. However, the greatest source of contention is the television remote…
Illuminating
My vehicles are showing their age. My husband, Bobby, drives a van with 226,000 miles, and I have a little blue Hyundai with 289,000 miles. Both vehicles continue to get us to all the places, even though they continually make it an adventure. Yesterday, another warning light popped on as I turned on my car - oh, joy. My new addition means I presently have four brightly colored and unavoidable signals illuminating my dash, each reminding me something needs attention.
Holy Week - “An Enduring Heart”
Before we celebrate Easter Sunday, we can't overlook that dark Saturday. The day Jesus spent in the tomb was a time of silence, confusion, and waiting. However, during that day, we witness the enduring and steadfast nature of Jesus.
Holy Week - “A Forgiving Heart”
The heart of Jesus beats with a rhythm of mercy that never ceases to amaze. It is one that boldly and without hesitation extended forgiveness even in the face of rejection, hate, and scorn. As Jesus hung on the cross, bloodied and broken, battered and bruised, He cried out, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34). Forgiveness filled His heart - not just for those who had put Him there, but for all who would come to Him seeking forgiveness.
Holy Week - “A Heart to Serve”
As we continue to explore the heart of Jesus together this Holy Week, we come to a definitive attribute of Jesus – His heart to serve! Pause and consider that Jesus Christ, the Son of God through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17), did not expect to be served by humanity, but rather Jesus served humanity by giving His life as a ransom.