READ: PSALM 107; ROMANS 5:1-10; 15:1-13 Our world is constantly changing, and our individual lives are no different. At any given moment, the most mundane of days can be altered by some life-changing event. When change is inevitable, and happy days are not a guarantee, where do we look for hope? The apostle Paul was [...]

READ: PSALM 51; EZEKIEL 36:16–37:14; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 Remove from me this heart of stoneI know I’m more than these dry bonesCreate in me a heart that’s cleanA steadfast spirit willingRestore your joy unto meMorning mercies coveringRebuild the rubble heaped aroundA garden where new life is foundYou alone can make me liveMending fast with breath [...]

READ: ROMANS 8:18-39; HEBREWS 13:1-21 There is pouring rain outside my window as I type. November in Michigan—you never know what weather you’ll get. On November 1st, I was bundled in winter gear, trudging through the woods in around eight inches of snow. The trees were heavy with sparkling beauty. November 6th, I was walking [...]

READ: MATTHEW 23; ROMANS 12:1-2; JAMES 1:19-27 Every few weeks (or months—ahem), I have the disturbing realization that I haven’t cleaned inside the sink. I’m not talking about the basin where you wash your hands, I’m talking about under the surface. Have you ever pulled out the sink plug and looked inside? Unless the people [...]

READ: MATTHEW 28:20; ROMANS 8:12-25; REVELATION 2:12-17 Just when you think it can’t get any darker, I murmured as I watched over the hidden compound where we had to bring more Believers that morning. A small girl and her older brother were wrapped in a ragged blanket, hungrily eating hot soup. I wished we had [...]

READ: EPHESIANS 4:22–5:2; HEBREWS 12:1-3; 2 PETER 1:3-9 Do you have vivid dreams? I dream vividly almost every night. Once, I had a hilarious dream about a team of ostriches flying, pulling me on a sleigh in the sky. We landed in a parking lot so they could take a break and join an exercise [...]

READ: PSALMS 56:8; 62:5-8; ISAIAH 40:11; 43:1; 55:8-9 Waves roll wild across the lakeWith every roar my soul achesGrief and sorrow meldLike the waters foam and quakeThis pain and anger testifyMy heart is still awakeThe sharp intake of sobbing breathPounding beat beneath my chestAlternating between sorrow and rageBut still, my God, you know my nameI [...]

READ: DEUTERONOMY 7:7-8; PSALM 34; ROMANS 8 I twirled the marble beads on my bracelet, cool against my skin. Grey, grey, bright blue. The turquoise color had intricate swirls of sky blue, the result making the bead look like an ever-moving sky. These bracelets reminded us of the love of Ahavah, the love He daily [...]

READ: ROMANS 8; 1 PETER 2:9-10 My hands shook with my effort not to take The List out of my pocket. You can’t control me, I whispered through gritted teeth. I just wanted to walk into this building full of, I imagined, lovely people and be okay. Two steps from the door, my fingers curled [...]

READ: PSALMS 6; 42; JOHN 11:1-44 When was the last time you had a good cry? I’m not talking about letting a few tears go and moving on with your day, but an all-out, feels like your heart is breaking, flooding your couch with tears kind of cry. I recently allowed myself to weep like [...]