Scientific Name : Diphylleia grayi This flower is called a skeleton flower because its petals turn crystal clear when they make contact with water. When dry, the flower is white in color! When the Living Water of Christ pours over our lives, we become transparent and clear. People can see through our flaws to something […]
Prayer
3 Reasons We Resist Surrender
Even though I’ve been a believer for 30 years, I still have a rather dense skull when it comes to hearing God’s voice. Sadly, God has to beat me over the head with a message several times before I’m enlightened. “Oh, I see, Lord.” The last week, I started reading a Jennie Allen book called […]
5 Things To Do In Front Of Your Kids & 5 Things to Avoid
Corbin often comes up to me, asking, “Mommy, will you play a game with me?” Although I love to play games, I have to force myself to relinquish my to-do list and sit down in the middle of the afternoon to play cards or Checkers. I know full well that game playing is my son’s […]
One Little Sentence that will Change your Year in a Big Way
I’ve been reading through First Samuel the last month, and aside from Saul’s bipolar tendencies and the numerous battles David saw, I noticed something else last night. Obviously, David broke down in some very human moments (adultery, murder, etc.), but before he even became king (in I Sam. 30), he experienced some devastating loss and […]
The Wonder of Courage
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” –G. K. Chesterton Okay, not another “war” post about fighting, Kristin. Seriously. We get the analogy already. Sorry, I write from my experiences, and wherever my heart is, I explore (even if the […]
Weapons of War: Fighting the Enemy of Destruction
Sunday, June 11th, my middle child takes the plunge–quite literally–and testifies to his whole church community that he is a believer. His willingness to act in courageous obedience defies his personality and also activates questions in his younger brother. Throughout this week, Corbin and I have dialogued about Jesus and salvation and Heaven and all […]
The Who We Talk To
As is typical at dinner time, we ask the kids, “Who wants to pray tonight?” Most nights we get one or two hands, but Monday night, all three hands shot up in response. Letting them take turns, we listen to their endearing gratitude for soft beds and sunshine and playground time with friends. (My mom […]
Our Last Resort
The last few weeks, I’ve explored some alternative help for some issues going on in my family. Dealing with some re-occurring obstacles makes a parent desperate for assistance. When our actions seem to make matters worse, we want some outside perspective from those who are more equipped than us. Now, God created us for community; He grants insight […]
Getting Honest
As my kids are all under the age of 10, honesty isn’t at a deficit in our house. My three-year-old may occasionally fib about eating an extra piece of candy or breaking his brother’s Legos, but for the most part, my children tell me exactly what happened. I realize teenagers are more prone to deception or silence, […]