Heartbreak Etched in Sand

I was walking the beach last week and I came across a message etched in the sand that I’m still thinking about. It was one of those messages where at first you smile and say, “That’s nice.” A moment later your heart sinks as you feel the weight of the last half of the note. […]

Crying Over the Removal of Tears

Every time I read Revelation 21:1-7, it brings tears to my eyes thinking about the removal of suffering. I know that’s ironic since this is the passage that talks about God “wiping away every tear (NASB).” But as long as I’m in this world, there will still be tears. Yet these verses are not just […]

Unending Joy

Joy in this world is elusive, but Jesus gives us another option if we choose to follow Him.

Abandoned to Loneliness

Have you ever felt like Job in the Bible where your world is crumbling around you and it seems like everyone has abandoned you? Maybe like Job, your friends want to analyze why there is so much calamity in your life. Perhaps you can identify with Job when he told his friends, “Why do you […]

Bore With Pain

Pain is an inherent part of life, illustrated through Jabez and Job. Both of these Biblical characters show us the importance of seeking God in suffering through heartfelt prayer.

Compassion in Grief

When we suffer loss, the grief can be overwhelming. Jesus felt that same pain when he learned that his cousin John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod. “Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself (Matthew 14:13).” It’s hard to see God’s purpose in […]

Our True Heart Laid Bare

Seeking a heart for God is not practicing a faith that expects earthly reward in exchange for righteousness. It is not being religious so as to gain approval or honor from other people. A heart for God drives a faith that has a deep love for God; a faith that operates from a yearning for […]

Remembering Broken Bread

His words, his mannerisms. They reminded them of the friend they lost. His brutal death was still fresh in their minds. As they walked with this stranger, their hearts burned deep inside (Luke 24:32). They were filled with grief, missing their dear friend Jesus. Ever feel like that? You’re suffering from deep grief, over the […]

Prayer Journey — Fully Trusting

How can I fully trust you dear God — to walk through life without worry, to be at ease knowing you are in control? The attacks come; problems stalk me; grief envelopes me; fear seizes me. If I am totally immersed in you dear God, what do I have to fear. You are eternal. You […]

Sorrow Knows No Bounds

I had just watched my mom’s casket lowered into the ground when I noticed a young couple about one hundred yards away. They were standing with their children next to a small headstone. I recognized the couple, so as family and friends dispersed from my mom’s graveside, I walked over and stood with them. It […]