Sandcastles in the Desert Season of Life Deadly viruses and economic struggles have stranded us in a wasteland which seems endless. We hike up one dune of hope for a better tomorrow only to find another sea of bleak, dry circumstances stretching ahead. This season of unrest and suffering has…
From pandemic health and loss struggles to violence and division, the 2020 year has pummeled us. We face an aftermath of financial struggles, family strain, and despair. Even those who once felt confident may now wonder if we can ever restore our lives. Is there hope for recovery after so…
How to Pray by Listening by Crickett Keeth How would you describe your time in prayer? Do you do most of the talking, or is there a balance with listening? When we hear the words pray or prayer, we tend to think of speaking, not listening. When we pray, we…
The smoke settles across our fire-scorched battlefield. Beside us, the mud groans as it swallows the two severed dragon heads of distorted identity. The dragon's sister also decays on this field. Misplaced authority oozes its last bit of stench into the distant wind. The paved road glimmers with fresh dew…
"A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?'” (Mark 4:37-38). I begin each day with a…
Crisis or unexpected changes wreak seismic upheaval in our minds, hearts, and souls. All we had planned suddenly crumbles through our fingers and turns to ash. Any illusions of control we once had have vanished. Instead of grinning at a bright path ahead, we shiver in the dark. These are…
We moved last week. When other people move, change jobs, add to their family, etc, the shift seems inconsequential. Until it happens to you. Over the past week, I realized that heaving a tough load over an uneven threshold offers a very different perspective than watching someone else do it. Physical,…
Go, Courageously! by LaTan Roland Murphy While writing Courageous Women of The Bible, I realized more than ever before my own need for daily courage. Courage doesn’t drop into your lap one day announcing: I’m here, all is well! Instead, courage comes as we choose to live courageously—standing strong, pressing into…
Have you ever struggled with transitions and stress? If shifts in life wrack you off balance, you're not alone. Moving from known to unfamiliar challenges us all. Discomfort in times of transition is a normal part of the human experience. We're wired to enjoy our security and feel apprehensive when circumstances…
Got stress? Worry and pressure rage around us at epidemic levels. The American Psychological Association reports, "More than one-third of adults (34 percent) report that their stress increased over the past year. Only 16 percent report decreased stress in the past year. Worse yet, the American Heart Association and Center for…