by Grace Fox To say the last year has been challenging is an understatement. The pandemic grounded me and my husband—the director of a mission sending agency—from our usual international ministry travels. It left me unemployed by banning large gatherings, thus canceling my speaking invitations to women’s retreats and conferences. It…
Guest post by Dena Yohe Over ten years ago, my husband and I started a ministry to brokenhearted parents. A mom whose child almost died sent me an email one day: “As a parent, getting the news that your child is gravely (and perhaps mortally) injured is life altering. I had…
As we face the unexpected crisis of isolating in our homes, many of us find ourselves coping with unprecedented stress and troubles. The circumstances oppress us and we struggle to live among those we may find prickly at times. David spent years under the oppression of a spiritually…
The funds continue to pour out over my career with no income coming back in yet. The postcards I mailed to bring in more opportunities have harvested nothing more than a few returned as undeliverable. I stand at the edge of what might be success, but cannot see the fruit of…
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,…
As children, we fidgeted through the advent season. Those ribbon-locked packages peeked from under our Christmas trees as if teasing us. Some of us, not to be named, might have failed this test of patience and suffered the consequences. Christmas tests our patience in more serious ways as we mature. The…
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Refugees abandon homes in pursuit of it. Defendants empty bank accounts to negotiate it. Acquisition offers empty promises of it. Anesthesia poisons the flesh with temporary illusions of it. A mother of…
"Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, 'Pray that you will not fall into temptation.' He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup…
"Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, 'Pray that you will not fall into temptation.' He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup…
"Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground. Because of Your name, Yahweh, let me live." -- Psalm 143:10-11 September clung to the calendar by less than a week. I still hadn't enjoyed my autumnal pumpkin spice latte. My…