I was listening to this song two nights ago and I was struck by the phrase, Let me live in the glory of Your grace. What does this mean? I define God’s grace as His unconditional love. It is His grace that sent Jesus to die for my sins before I was born, before I…
How often have you heard God say that to you? How often does a father tell his child “I love you”? Once in a lifetime? Every year? Every month? Every week? Every day? [Jesus said,] “Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child…
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say…
There have been moments in my life that have helped me to define the word “labor.” My grandparents owned a farm. I grew up learning about milk cows, Angus cattle, and chickens. Bailing hay, gathering eggs, and picking gooseberries in the oppressive heat of Missouri summers gave me my first definition of labor! When I…
Author Unknown Note from Jody: I have had this in my electronic file since 2001. I do not remember where I got it, but whoever wrote it – thank you. We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and he began to pound his fat baby…
I’m raining on the inside. My heart wells up with tears that start to pour. I’m raining on the inside. But then Your cries of love break through, And I fall in love with you once more. By Amy Grant & Kathy Troccoli Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for…
What is your job? What pays the bills, keeps food on the table and a reliable roof over your head? This past weekend, a Ph.D professor said, “Teaching is my job. The Gospel is my business, my life.” Does that make you stop and think? It did me. “Love the LORD your God with all…
What does your fellowship group offer children and young adults? What do you as parents expect your fellowship to do? What does God expect you to do? I have been editing a book this week, Parent-Driven Discipleship by Michael Kennedy, and I have nine grandchildren who range in age from 16 to 4. This week…
Two weeks ago now, a man died. I had never met him personally. I had only met him in the pages of a book. I met him through a pastor of a small church in West Virginia. She took the time to not just talk about what was on Jesus’ heart, but to take the…
There have been years that Father’s Day was a difficult day for me to “celebrate,” as in planning a party and embracing it with much laughter and all good memories. I tried very hard when I became a mother to make sure that my children always made their cards and plans on Father’s Day to…