Suffering with hope

Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions: What Makes Me Special?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/yAGkzi1Tk7E?si=M2Ug3Xiid2i4Qxv2 This article (or video) is part of the Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions series. Your purpose now is not to figure out who you are, it’s to figure out and know who God is because he created you in his image. We Seek God, Not Gifts What makes me special? This is the very air that our kids… Continue reading Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions: What Makes Me Special?

Suffering with hope

Don’t Downplay the Pain of Suffering

Suffering. How can one small word hold so much complexity? It can elicit: fear, dread, anxiety, bitterness, anger, and panic. It can also stir up: courage, strength, growth, humility, and faith. Suffering is so painfully complex that we struggle to find answers to it, yet it demands answers nonetheless. Which is why, I believe, we… Continue reading Don’t Downplay the Pain of Suffering

Suffering with hope

Unrealistic Expectations: A Thief of Joy During the Christmas Season

Last December, emotions were at an all-time high. Our family had endured a long and painful season with one of our children and, deep down, I hoped (and expected) that Christmas would offer a much-needed dose of joy.  It turns out, God’s plans and my expectations were sailing in opposite directions.   To my great disappointment,… Continue reading Unrealistic Expectations: A Thief of Joy During the Christmas Season

Suffering with hope

Trapped in My Own Mind – Three Lies Depression Whispers

I can’t live like this anymore!” I cried through sobs. “I just want to be free from the torment of my mind!” I sat on my bed and tried to make sense of what was going on inside. I was tired of the chronic pain, the frequent bouts of illness, and the weariness of dealing… Continue reading Trapped in My Own Mind – Three Lies Depression Whispers

Suffering with hope

Meet The Long Road Home (Plus a Giveaway!!)

Hi Friends, I'm excited to share about The Long Road Home with you this Christmas season. After quickly running out of stock when it launched this past month (through Crossway), we're finally back in business with enough stock to last the season, so I waited until now to share a bit more of what this… Continue reading Meet The Long Road Home (Plus a Giveaway!!)

Suffering with hope

A Christian Book Lover’s Christmas Gift Guide

As we enter the Christmas season, I thought I'd share some of my favorite books (including some our kids have really enjoyed), in case you're looking for some gift ideas for the book lover in your life! For simplicity, I have attached links to each if you'd like to learn more or purchase one. And… Continue reading A Christian Book Lover’s Christmas Gift Guide

Suffering with hope

A Call to Christian Unity in a Divided Country

It's been a week. And depending on your perspective, it's either been a really good one or a really hard one. Few fall in-between. But no matter where you fall on the spectrum of the election results, if you’re a Christian, there should be a noticeable difference. Why? Because regardless of what your perspective is… Continue reading A Call to Christian Unity in a Divided Country

Suffering with hope

The School of Faith – When God’s Ways Are a Mystery

“God, we trusted you. We counted the cost, took a step of faith, and followed your leading. We believed and trusted that you would take care of us as we followed you down this difficult and sacrificial road. Yet here we are, with circumstances that have only worsened. If you knew the pain that lay… Continue reading The School of Faith – When God’s Ways Are a Mystery

Suffering with hope

The Long Road Home

Ever since I was young, I've found John Bunyan's "The Pilgrims Progress" to be insightful in the way that it speaks to the human experience, regardless of age or season of life. That's the beauty of allegory - it taps into our God-given creativity in a way that connects to the human and spiritual realities… Continue reading The Long Road Home

Suffering with hope

If “By His Stripes We are Healed,” Why Has My Healing Not Come?

Illness - both chronic and acute - have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It's impacted the choices I’ve made and paths I’ve taken (or been forced not to take). It has robbed me of countless things I enjoy in life, such as activities, time with others, being… Continue reading If “By His Stripes We are Healed,” Why Has My Healing Not Come?