Category Archives: encouragement

By Still Waters

Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved passages in Scripture—but when was the last time you truly let it sink in? In Still Waters, you’ll receive a fresh perspective on the Shepherd who leads, restores, and stays with you through every valley. Let this devotion be your invitation to pause, breathe, and find soul-deepContinueContinue reading “By Still Waters”

Walk the Talk

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com “Sure, I’d love to help!” Not really, but I don’t want to sound rude. “Yes, I have plenty of time to work on that last-minute project!” I’m going to have to work overtime now because I’m swamped. Ugh. “I’m so sorry I hurt your feelings.” Why are you soContinueContinue reading “Walk the Talk”

God Loves the Prodigal’s Mama Too

One beautiful, benign, spring day, my phone buzzed with an unknown number. I answered it anyway. “Is this Mercia’s mom? I’m  here with her in the college parking lot, and she’s about to drive her car into a brick wall.” As I raced out the door and through town, I begged God to spare myContinueContinue reading “God Loves the Prodigal’s Mama Too”

Ditch the Baggage

If you’re anything like me, you’ve made resolutions to lose weight, do devotions daily, save more money, be nicer to your family, and have a home-cooked meal on the table every night by 5:30. While there’s nothing wrong with those resolutions, if you’re anything like me, you’ve already broken at least one of them—and we’reContinueContinue reading “Ditch the Baggage”

Advent Week 4—LOVE

I’m pretty sure Mary did not have in mind to give birth to the Savior of the world in a dirty, dusty stable miles from home, but babies come when they are ready—or in this case, when God ordained that “the days were accomplished that she should be delivered” (Luke 2:6 KJV). She obediently followedContinueContinue reading “Advent Week 4—LOVE”

Advent Week 3–Joy

“Joy to the world, the Lord has come!” What better news has ever been declared than this—that the Savior of the world has already come?  The shepherds were first in a long line of people who joyfully shared the good news of the coming of the Messiah. The angels, God’s glorious and special messengers, firstContinueContinue reading “Advent Week 3–Joy”

Advent Week 2–Peace & Preparation

When my kids were small, their father would take them to the mall (or WalMart) to buy me a gift for Christmas and my birthday, which are two days apart. They would be so excited to wrap their gifts and place them under the tree—almost as excited as they were about shaking and squeezing allContinueContinue reading “Advent Week 2–Peace & Preparation”

Holding On When You Want to Let Go–Book Review

I’ve been wanting to read Holding On When You Want to Let Go by Sheila Walsh ever since it hit the shelves. She writes from the place of having wanted to give up and being in difficult circumstances where she didn’t feel like God was anywhere in sight–let alone holding her. Sheila shares her hard-earnedContinueContinue reading “Holding On When You Want to Let Go–Book Review”

Advent Week 1–HOPE

Advent Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 Hope has lost the original weight of its meaning. Now we say things like, “I hope it doesn’t rain again this weekend.” But in biblical times, hope held a much deeper significance. It means “joyful and confidentContinueContinue reading “Advent Week 1–HOPE”