Do you like the rain? Most people I talk to prefer sunny days over rainy ones, in both weather and life, where we associate sunshine with warmth, life, happiness, and prosperity and connect rain with sorrow, gloom, pain, or hardship. Of course we value sunshine. Of course we dislike or even hate the rain–the discomfort, […]
Did you ever sing the children’s chorus “12 Men Went to Spy on Canaan”? “Twelve men went to spy in Canaan.Ten 🤚🤚 were bad 👎 and two 👆👆 were good 👍.What do you think they saw in Canaan?Ten 🤚🤚 were bad 👎 and two 👆👆 were good 👍.Some saw giants, tough and tall.Some saw grapes […]
We all know Ruth as the “face character” of the book that bears her name. After reading this book in my devotions, however–and watching the Sight and Sound production with Emily right after–I’d like to nominate Naomi as the “backbone character” of this story. It’s Naomi who starts the book, it’s Naomi who ends the […]
Here’s a testimony from two years ago that I wrote and shared with a few others at the time. I pray God can encourage you with the same truths He used to encourage me in my time of need. “𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘺!” Sunday night after church. I sat on the kitchen floor, my […]
Do you ever wish you could do more? I know I do. Specifically in ministry — reaching out to people, helping in church, mentoring, teaching, cooking, giving rides, and the list goes on. I wish I could do everything for everyone, but I’m limited, and on my bad days I find I can barely do […]
I recently read Genesis 18 in my devotions: Then [the Lord and His messengers] said to [Abraham], “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.” And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was […]
The word kept appearing throughout the week: in my morning devotions, in my notes from Sunday School, in that little sermon reminder I’d sketched for myself at least a year ago, still lying on my desk. PERSPECTIVE In Hebrews 10:34, the writer commends his brothers for suffering the loss of their goods with joy. I […]
We’ve just read four beautiful, true love stories shared by women with chronic illness. While each post has included words of advice for those who are still single, Emily and I would like to conclude this series with some encouragement specifically for those of us who don’t have a Special Someone at the moment. (I […]
I love driving down Main Street. At night. When the streets are empty and the air is quiet and only a few people move on the sidewalk under the glowing lamps. Put me on Main Street in the middle of the day, however, and you’ll find me gripping the steering wheel with both hands, gritting […]
About Diamonds 2021 What is Diamonds 2021? Diamonds is an annual online conference for chronically ill Christians. Millions of chronically ill people battle impossible trials every single day. But so many of them feel so alone. The speakers of Diamonds 2021 want them to know they aren’t — not by a long shot. The theme […]
The Valley