Rooted in Grace and Grit

Recently, reading through the story of Jesus’ arrest and subsequent trials in the book of Matthew, something struck me in a way that had not resonated before. As I read the account of Jesus standing before Pilate, in particular, I spent a little more time studying the governor’s behavior. While Jesus gave no rebuttal when […]

There’s something that happens when we learn more about Jesus and invite Him into our daily lives. The Holy Spirit has an awe-inspiring way of guiding our choices, actions, consciousness, and conscience. Once we know more about how Jesus lived and responded to the world, what a privilege it can be to take these learnings […]

How many times have we heard Jesus’ parables, but let the rich meaning and teaching flow through our minds without contemplation? I know that many times in my faith journey, the contents of such powerful wisdom have evaded me. Was it a lack of understanding, a lack of spiritual maturity, or even both? Sometimes I […]

How many times have we heard the lyrics to “Do you Hear What I Hear?” As the words allow us to imagine the familiar nativity, are we grasping the significance of the setting? Can we feel the magnitude? I lament over the many seasons I have gone through the motions of singing the carols, hanging […]

Recently, on “All Saints” Sunday, we paused to reflect upon those that have gone before us into heaven. While no perfect person has ever walked the earth besides Jesus, there are so many amazing character qualities I have seen in previous generations I would love to emulate. Without question, my maternal grandmother inspired my walk […]

Have you ever faced a season so difficult – gut-wrenching, even – that you wondered how you would ever come out on the other side? Perhaps you’ve faced financial hardship, relational breakdown, a tragic phone call, or a medical crisis. When the reality of the situation sets in, it can be hard to imagine what’s […]

As the lighter air and blue skies accompany the hint of changing foliage, our hearts and minds begin to prepare for a new season. I truly love fall. I do enjoy the pumpkin treats, inviting decorations, and cozy clothes. Most of all, I enjoy the crisp air when the mornings morph from a heavy dew […]

At a risk of aging myself quite a bit, I’ll share a little recollection from my childhood. It used to be quite the norm for kids at school to banter back and forth with each other, and if a sly insult was hurled, the very next words spoken would be, “But, no offense.” I know […]

Recently I traversed local roads, navigating the outer bands of breeze and rains that accompanied a hurricane. While the morning brought dark skies and fits of moisture, the afternoon winds began escorting out the majority of the precipitation and the transition to calmer skies began. While the sky was mostly filled with the storm’s remaining […]

We’ve been through a season in the last 18 months, haven’t we? As we try to reconcile the hardships, difficulties, and divisions of the past year-plus, all while adapting to the new normal, there is one thing for sure – so much of what happens in our world is truly beyond our individual control. These […]