Our eternal destiny is determined by Jesus’ atoning sacrifice alone—the Bible is clear on this. However, our relationship with God is damaged and scarred when we withhold forgiveness from His children. God sees us all as worthy of forgiveness, no matter what we’ve done wrong and how gravely we’ve hurt those around us. It is offensive to God when we decide that one of His children should not be pardoned for their sins. The cross has declared us all “not guilty.” Who are we to claim, through our unforgiveness, that our judgment is superior to God’s?

There is a slight irony that I am sitting down to write a devotion today about being pressed but not crushed. Sometimes that feels like my story. Maybe it feels like yours. Nothing is ever too devastating that you are not here to tell about it, but you feel pressed from every side more often than not…

When we were newlyweds, my parents surprised Jenn and me by gifting us a trip to Cape Cod. They failed to mention that it was at a timeshare resort, which meant that we were obligated to listen to a sales presentation sometime during the vacation…

If you could have God satisfy any craving you have right now, what would it be? If I’m honest, asking God to give me the privilege of dwelling in His presence forever isn’t the first thing that comes to my mind. There are several things I think I’d ask Him for long before saying, “Hey God, you know what I want most? I just want to be with You.” King David’s song holds a mirror up to my heart: spending time with God isn’t my greatest joy or strongest craving… but I want it to be.

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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.

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.

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

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.

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…

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…

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…

Like most teenagers, earbuds seem like an extra appendage for my daughter, Paige. She listens to music almost 24/7. Yet, often, when I call her for dinner, I get radio silence…

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…

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…

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.