Patti's Rules to Live By

Patti Morse was one unforgettable woman! Although she has been with the Lord since this past May, her ongoing influence is a daily part of many of us who had the privilege of knowing her. Shortly after her death, I put together a brief list of observations that I had made of Patti over the many years of knowing her and entitled it “Patti’s Rules to Live By.”

Joyful Acceptance: A Response to Trials

Several years ago, I realized that I needed to prepare for the inevitable trials that I would be facing, so I began to study what my biblical response to difficult circumstances should be. As I studied, I realized that my goal should be Joyful Acceptance...

Titus 2 Lived Out: A Tribute to Marjorie Hale

I love words and their power, but words seem absolutely powerless to sum up Grandma. This is in part because her actions spoke so loudly. More than specific conversations, we remember a lifetime of wise, gracious, loving faithfulness. She was truly a woman whose behavior adorned the gospel in every respect.

Endurance Training

In the same way that someone who has physical endurance doesn’t tucker out after the first lap, the person who has spiritual endurance doesn’t give up or give in to sin as a trial goes on.

Learning to Meditate From Mary

Do you have a favorite Christmas song? Our entire culture relies on Christmas music to “get into the spirit” of the season. As believers, we enjoy Christmas music for the same reason, but for us, the “spirit of the season” is more than the warm fuzzies.

Six Things to Do Instead of Worry

Worry. It’s completely fruitless, and yet for many of us it’s a favorite pastime. We can’t add a single hour to our lives by worrying (Matt. 6:27). It won’t improve our financial situation, bring peace to a conflict, or cause our children to do the right thing. And yet, worry can be a difficult sin to put off!

Resting in God

We will not find the rest and peace our souls crave by gathering more data, and we certainly won’t find rest trying to control our circumstances. But while the turmoil of the world swirls around us, we can find abundant rest in God. In Psalm 37, we find a beautiful reminder of the rest we can experience..

God's Power with Clothes On

When you think of God’s power, what first comes to mind? Creation, parting the Red Sea, destroying Jericho? Jesus calming the storm, casting out demons, raising Lazarus from the dead? But more often than not, God doesn't choose to do this...

God's Goodness in All Things

Two of God’s promises have been much on my mind lately because both promises include the words “all things”.

First, Romans 8:28, “For we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”; and also Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him [Christ] who strengthens me.”

A Tribute to Kathy Jones

One of God’s good gifts to us in the church is the deep fellowship that we have with each other. In Titus 2:3-5, Paul instructs the older women to teach and encourage the younger women as they strive to live out their God-given priorities.

Every Perfect Gift

When I became a mom, I did not anticipate how much fun it would be to give gifts to my children. Gift giving has never been my strong suit, so I was shocked at how excited I was for my daughter to open her plastic tea set for her 1^st birthday.

No One Can Tame the Tongue

The saying goes that two things are sure in life: death and taxes. James tells us that this list is incomplete. There are actually three things that are sure in life: death, taxes, and sinning with our speech.

Controlling Our Thoughts

God designed us, and made us, and loves us. He has given us the ability to control our thoughts and not let our thoughts control us! We are to strengthen ourselves by choosing to think about what God has said instead of what our circumstances “say.”