A friend asked, “How are we supposed to have the joy of Christmas when so many people are fearful and feel hopeless?” She had a point, didn't she? If we listen to the news and look around us joy seems to be in scarce supply. If we get stuck there we might miss the whole point of Christmas.

Another official Thanksgiving Day is upon us. Just the name of this holiday reminds us it’s all about giving thanks.

Even in 2020.

Even when we’re feeling down because our long-awaited family gathering may not happen.

Even though we’re tired of this routine and we need to do more than Zoom and Facetime our way through life.

have about 15 minutes of “sacred time” in the morning. That is the amount of time I have between handing the kids off to my wife so I can take a shower and get ready for the day. That time is vital as it gives me the chance to be alone, in the hot water, surrounded by white noise and generally it is uninterrupted.

Are you tired of your routine and looking for new meaning? We all know that feeling, however we spend our days. People tell us to change our outlook, but often we don't know where to start.

“From ... things that go bump in the night, Good Lord, deliver us!” That line from an old Scottish poem always seems to fit, because things that go bump in the night keep happening. Somewhere. To someone.

Our 2020 confirmands had to pause their year-end experiences last spring. It’s a big moment when they say YES to following Jesus with their heart, soul, strength & mind. It’s the rite of passage where we officially launch them into their adult life as a disciple - independent of mom & dad.

I recently bought a water bottle from Dutch Bros for cancer awareness and on the side of it were printed the words “Too Strong for Fear.” This made me think of my brother, grandma, and so many other people I have met who have had cancer.

The other day I heard someone ask, "Who could be happy in times like this?" That seems a logical question, except you and I only have "times like this" to live in. This day. This moment. If we write them off as useless, we write off our lives.

As a parent, consider the your role in shaping your son/daughters view of who God is and their relationship with Jesus. Pastors, youth leaders, coaches, mentors, and teachers will play a big role - but it pales in comparison to your influence in their life.

Sometimes it feels as if life is bashing us around. Maybe that's where you are right now--and you hate it. Nobody likes it, but those hard times get a bit easier once we do a U-turn in our thinking.

My husband Rick and I are both essential workers who cannot work from home. Rick works as a local parcel delivery driver for UPS and I work in the allied health field at a local hospital. We have a 7 year old, 2 year old, an emotionally needy dog and tend to live our lives scheduled to the max.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.