From as far back as I can remember, music and song have been a part of my life. Hearing a song can instantly transport me to a specific memory—to people, places, and even the emotions I was feeling at the time. Infamous teenage breakup songs, love songs, unrequited love songs, and childhood TV theme songs can still evoke a sense of nostalgia when I hear them played. Growing up, my dad was a radio DJ, so we always had records around the house playing on the stereo. My dad and

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice; the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 This Monday is the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. It is the culmination of the Jewish High Holy Season. On Yom Kippur, the high priest enters the Holy of Holies to offer a sacrifice. The sins of the people are rolled back one year, and harmony is restored as the people are reconciled to God. It is called the Day of Atonement because action is taken to correct a wrong and amend or restore

“Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 When our children were young we would attend a Christian family camp for a week every summer. Wednesday was Lake Day-a day filled with water play and friendly, organized competitions in which the winners were awarded “valuable cash prizes” (mugs, sunglasses, visors, etc.) My older son and I first participated in the kayak races when he was 5 years old. It did not go well. Having never run, or observed the race bef

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32 Driving to the grocery store the other day, a car came racing up behind me riding my bumper. He kept swerving out like he was going to pass me. I was doing the speed limit, but I guess this was not fast enough for him. He finally did pass me in a no passing zone with oncoming traffic. The oncoming traffic had to slow down and he cut very close in front of my car to avoid a

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. (Ephesians 4:15) Dark chocolate-covered almonds are one of the best road trip snacks. The balance of the sweet chocolate mixed with the salty crunch creates a satisfying treat. (Also, I recently tried pistachios covered in toffee and dark chocolate—highly recommended!) The nutrition an almond offers is more palatable when paired with the sweetness of the chocolate. Combin

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14 As a new mom entering the season of toddlerhood, I often find myself getting overwhelmed, touched out, or just exhausted. After the millionth time of picking up the toys scattered on the floor, cleaning up the kitchen after what seems like the 24th time that day, and the constant awareness of this little human’s emotions, I don’t want to come to th

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3 Every day, I walk through the doorframes of my home. I leave one room and enter another without giving it much thought. From the bedroom to the kitchen, from the laundry room to the front door, each doorway leads me into a new space and often into a new responsibility. What if those ordinary doorframes became gentle r

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10 ‭‭ Have you heard of kintsugi? It is a form of Japanese art where you repair broken pottery with lacquer mixed with gold or silver. These pieces of pottery are not broken intentionally; rather, life happens and they break or chip. This art form takes what people consider trash or broke

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…Isaiah 61:1 In the lowest times of my life—times of despair, times of loss, times of pain—I often reflect on the words of Isaiah in chapter 61, verses 1-3: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day o

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 This beautiful word, "ABIDE," in the context of this passage, is a word of action of no specific duration. To abide is necessary, and it is to be done vigorously. More often, this word is translated as remain, but abide, to me, connotes something much deeper. Abide is a quietly powerful word that bridges deep endurance with a gentle belon

Pull up a chair, friend. Pour yourself a fresh cup of coffee, take a deep breath, and let’s just be real for a minute. Have you ever had a season where the life you were living didn't match the life you expected? Where you looked at your circumstances, your losses, or even the people around you, and felt a quiet, cold and heavy ache settle into your chest? That ache has a name: disillusionment. By definition, disillusionment is a feeling of disappointment resulting from the d

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:26-27 When was the last time you read through the major and minor prophets in the Bible? It’s not a section I come to often, but I recently worked my way through most of the Bible with The Bible Project (if you haven’t heard of them, look t

Freedom in Christ is not about political voice or social acceptance. It does not refer to physical chains or economic repression. It is about redemption. It is about salvation. It is about eternity. Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. A slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. And if the Son has made you free... You are free indeed! Happy Independence Day! John 8:36

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 There are many commands in the Bible that seem difficult to follow. A friend loves at ALL times (Prov 17:17) Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17) Be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16) Live in unity (Eph 4:3) Be completely humble and gentle, be patient (Eph 4:2) Value others over yourself (Phil 2:3) God knows that it is difficult for humans to follow in His perfect

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) My husband squeezed my hand, settling in by my side at the doctor’s office, as the sonographer prepared to perform the first ultrasound of my second pregnancy. The mood was light and friendly. The sonographer and I went to high school together, played basketball and volleyball, and she had also been our tec

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives strength to the weary, and to the one who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and

"From everyone to whom much was given, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48 As a mom to a teenage son who has loved Spider-Man for as long as I can remember, I’ve seen firsthand how some stories stick with us—not just as entertainment, but as life lessons. Peter Parker’s iconic phrase, “With great power comes great responsibility,” has echoed through our home for years. I would like to believe the comic

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 The Children of Israel were returning from exile. Nehemiah, cupbearer to the King of Persia, would be a leader in the repatriation efforts. Reconstruction of the walls of the city was necessary, but resistance from local governments threatened their work. Nehemiah armed the construction crews. On the first day of the 7th month, the people celebrated the Feast of Temples. A week before, the walls of the city had been comple

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments are to be written upon your heart. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk on the road. Write them on the doorframes of your houses. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Reminders! Our lives are so full, our attention so stretched that a whole industry—Post-it Notes—was created to help us focus on what we need to remember. Ha! Nothing n

Jesus had announced on the cross that His physical work on Earth was done: "It is finished." After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 He was not going to physically stay here on Earth. He told Mary, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Fat