Before I entered middle school, I felt confident I'd join the school band. And I did, playing a trumpet that had belonged to my uncle. Performing with the county-wide honor band was a special memory from that year. By the next fall, our band welcomed a new director, and he envisioned expanding the brass section [...]

I started following Jesus at age thirteen, and I constantly got comments such as, “I can't believe you're so young yet have a strong faith!” And yes, those comments are lovely, but they secretly struck my nerves. They made me feel belittled. The way people said my faith inspired them was in a tone that [...]

Oftentimes, we do not think before we speak. We can be quick to speak and slow to hear (James 1:19). We tease, tell jokes, and ramble on about things without thinking. And these things may be totally fine, as long as we are not being mean with our words! But we may not often think [...]

Thoughts waging war upon this tortured soul I want to be thankful, I long to have hope But some days the darkness won't seem to end My eyes are bone dry, my faith feels thin Send forth Your truth to cut through the attack Remind me I'm Yours and I never will lack Your unfailing [...]

People can do good, but there is only one person who did good all His life, and that's Jesus. Even though He is fully God, Jesus came to live among us. He interacted and celebrated with different kinds of people, including the outcasts of society. Jesus was moved with compassion for a widow who had [...]

"All that I've done all the people I've hurt there is no way I'm still worthy of being saved. Jesus might have died for some, but He definitely didn't die for me.” She wiped at her eyes with a shaky hand. “There is no way I could be forgiven for all I've done. No way.” [...]

Have you ever found yourself desperately praying for someone in a situation that seems helpless? Perhaps it's a parent who isn't following Jesus, a sibling struggling with addiction, or a close friend who is hurting. You pray, but nothing seems to be happening, except personal exhaustion. Your hope is sapping dry. If this is you, [...]

I was a very shy kid and struggled to fit in at school. At home, my older brother teased me endlessly. Yet, I knew my family loved me. I also knew Jesus loved me and was always with me. By middle school I was also teased at school because I was tall and my pants [...]

Have you ever tried to solve a Rubik's Cube? I can't tell you how many times I've tried and failed to unscramble this complicated mess of colors. It amazes me that there are people out there who can decipher this puzzle. I once saw someone solve a Rubik's Cube in less than fifteen seconds! I [...]

We all struggle, and it can be both heartwarming and strengthening to know that someone is praying for us during those times. Have you ever been in a really tough situation and found yourself just wishing that someone would pray for you? Maybe you didn't feel like you could even find the strength to pray [...]