Kinder than is necessary-it’s just another way of describing grace. It’s a phrase that has been running through my head more often than not, lately. Maybe it’s because I’ve been on the receiving end. Receiving grace makes me want to give it- not as a payback, but as an act of gratitude. Those little kindnesses from other people, unexpected, no strings attached, just because…they humble me. They remind me of a bigger picture of grace, as displayed in the gospel.
Read moreHow We Can Pay Attention to God's Faithfulness
Yesterday, Trent was telling me how sad he was because he missed his friends in Wenatchee. I pointed out that he had a lot of friends at school, but he said that none of them were friends that he "could just call up". My heart ached for him, so I prayed a little prayer. One hour later, there was a knock on the door, and an invitation for a play date was extended by one of our neighbors. Today, he was cruising around the neighborhood with these two sweet boys while I had a cup of coffee and a chat with their grandma.
Read more10 Ways to Encourage Your Spouse
I love being able to bring a smile to my husband’s face, encouraging him when he most needs it. You probably feel the same way about your spouse, right? I know I certainly enjoy receiving encouragement, most of all, from my spouse- so I try to be intentional in how I encourage him. I won’t pretend that I’m always on top of it- but I try.
Read more10 Favorite Quotes on Prayer
Here are ten of my favorite quotes and verses on prayer. I've paired them with some of my favorite photographs that I've taken over the years. You're welcome to share and pin, but please link back to this site.
Read moreWhat I Learned in October
Once again, it's time for "What I Learned", a link-up with Emily @ Chatting at the Sky, where we look back on the past month and share the little treasures we gathered along the way. Sometimes silly, always fun. If you want to join in, link up here.
Read moreWhat kind of purpose do my mistakes serve?
What kind of purpose do my mistakes serve? I know that I’ve experienced God’s grace throughout my life- but do I still carry shame? Do I allow myself to believe these following words?
"Grace means that all of your mistakes now serve a purpose instead of serving shame." -Mike Rusch
Read more9 traits of a life giving marriage- book review
I recently had the opportunity to review a book, called 9 Traits of a Life Giving Marriage, by Sue Detweiler. I thought the title was perfect- as the book really did deliver on its' promise. 9 Traits of a Life Giving Marriage was a straightforward and honest look at what it takes for a Christian marriage to thrive. I appreciated the vulnerability shown throughout the pages, along with Sue's willingness to share personal stories from her own marriage- the good and the bad. We can learn from each other, and this book had the tone of a wise, older sister, sharing her wisdom out of love, with a desire to see marriages succeed.
Read moreWhy it's important to defend your faith
Defending Your Faith, by R.C. Sproul, is a book I recently read. It’s an introduction to apologetics, something I wish I had read years ago (and why I included it in my recent booklist for teens). A simple definition of apologetics that it's a defense of the Christian faith. The book struck a chord with me because it approached the subject academically, with solid logic. This blog is all about faith and trusting in God, and I like to explore why God is trustworthy. I have written often about the work of the Holy Spirit, in speaking to our hearts and revealing his truths- and about how this work is essential to knowing God. But that is not to say that we should ignore logic or dismiss the task of defending the faith in a way that breaks down the barriers between those of us who believe and those who do not.
Read moreA writer's hack that works for prayer
Sometimes I don’t know how to pray. I don’t even know where to start. But I’m learning. Recently I stumbled onto a concept that has really helped me in my prayer life. I’ve been using the Bible as a prompt. This, of course, isn’t a new idea at all. Jesus prayed scriptures (Lk 4:16,17)- lots of people do.
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