Rooted in Grace and Grit

As warm air and even humidity make their way into the season, we can welcome the more relaxed pace summer brings. I love the joy that comes with new beginnings. Over the years, I’ve undergone so many new beginnings in an effort to become a “better me.” I think for a long time, I had […]

In our fast-paced and digitally connected world, kindness can seem fleeting. But is it really – or does it just appear this way? Furthermore, does kindness really matter? According to Galatians 5:22, kindness is a Fruit of the Spirit. Consequently, regardless of where culture places kindness on its scale of importance, if emulating Jesus is […]

As the beloved hymn written by Chisholm and composed by Runyan states, “Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!” In recent months, I’ve seen God’s faithfulness in ways I can hardly begin to describe. Time and time again – even in […]

As we emerge from the celebration of Valentine’s Day, love is the word du jour. However, you have most likely heard the popular verse of 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV) that states, “Love is patient, love is kind.” How often do you equate patience with love? Is patience a struggle for you? If so, I hear […]

2021 is upon us, and now well under way. New Year’s resolutions are a long-standing tradition, with many of us ushering in the month of January with goals and desires for the year ahead. Unfortunately, I have never done particularly well with setting resolutions – or sticking to them. Because of this, I have tried […]

What does a silent night mean to you? While this may look the absence of wake-up calls from cell phones, crying babies or a to-do list running through your mind at 3 a.m., what do the words of the popular hymn intend to speak to us? The tune can feel so familiar we may breeze […]

As we get closer and closer to November, we may notice campaign ads swirling around us or even contentious debate on social media. So much of what we see or observe in the world may feel so far away from our sphere of influence. And, at times, this can feel overwhelming. So, what can we […]

After an extended sojourn, I wanted to reach out to you on a timely fruit of the Spirit: peace. Do you remember the song from Sunday School that proclaims, “I have peace like a river in my soul?” Recalling singing the tune, accompanied by the hand gestures that mimicked a babbling brook, instantly set me […]

While the fruits of the Spirit are useful in any season of life, I feel they have become especially relevant in these days. While we have previously addressed love and joy, I’d like to spend a few moments on gentleness. The past two months have brought many changes that have created new schedules and rhythms […]