In our Pilgrimage Fueled by Hope devotional series, we regularly asked the question, “What’s my default mode or auto response when life comes crashing down?” We have considered the importance of putting systems in place “when the sun is shining”…

Faith isn’t just some baseless, pie in the sky, flimsy wish we cling to. It is the foundation of the Christian life, set in place by God and held there by his power. Faith is a sure, steady, immovable surety that what God says in his Word he has or will accomplish…

In that big, old house I struggle with, there is a full walk up attic and everyone I tell tends to think that is the best thing in the world. That attic is where we keep things. It holds a full twenty-seven years of accumulation; old toys, old clothes, old books, old empty boxes, old printers, old papers. Well, you get the idea…

Our earthly experiences are bound to disappoint us. They just don’t have the quality of the ones we are waiting for. Things tied to earth perish. Even the best of what we enjoy here can be easily defiled. Worldly possessions bring fading happiness because our satisfaction with them is…

There’s not much mercy in the world today. We’ve become a judgmental, cruel and hateful society. So many things divide us: political party, race, age, denomination, gender, country of origin. These days it’s more about the fight…

When we bless God, we celebrate everything he is and all he's done for us, because he is deserving of endless recognition. Gratitude is at the heart of true worship. We acknowledge his attributes as revealed in Scripture, proclaiming them to one another and the world. We tell of his wonderful acts….

The grace and favor of God cannot be diminished or enlarged. God has shown us the entirety of it through Jesus Christ. Every bit of love God has for Jesus is bestowed on us the minute we enter a relationship with him. God cannot love or accept us more completely…

This week Lisa McHeard takes us deeper into an understanding of the incredibly priceless gifts God gives to each of His children. Lisa starts the week with these words…

My obedience doesn't earn my salvation, but it does prove it. Obedience is the physical evidence of the spiritual transformation that has taken place as God attaches Christ's righteousness to me as if it was my own. In fact, it is impossible for me to be genuinely obedient at all, apart from the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Sanctification is the process by which God grows us to be more like Christ. He directs and guides us by the Holy Spirit, through his Word; intending to rub off our rough edges and sinful ways. It’s not always pleasant. In fact, it can be pretty painful, and we don’t always want to deal with our own shortcomings. So, to protect ourselves…

God’s knowledge is all-encompassing. He fully comprehends every minute of the past, present and future, always. In his infinite wisdom and perfect knowledge, God personally selects us to be his children. He chooses us - knowing us inside and out - our struggles, our secrets, our overwhelming doubts and fears.

The word Dispersion, in Old Testament Scripture refers to the Jews who were scattered outside of Israel after the Babylonian captivity.  These were faithful men and women who committed to live as God's people in areas that didn't acknowledge him at all…

From the first moment of Creation it was clear that God made Adam and Eve for eternity. He fashioned them after his own immortal image, created a completely perfect home for them, and provided the Tree of Life to nourish the seed of eternity he planted in them. Then sin changed things…

Why are we so bothered by the word elect, when we spend so much of our actual lives waiting to be elected? We wait to be picked for a team in grade school. We wait for an invitation to the prom. We sit through interview after interview before we get a job and feel incomplete…

Theology matters and over the next two weeks, Lisa McHeard shows us why it’s important to not shy away from digging deeper into topics we might find difficult to understand. Many years ago, I reacted with strong angry emotions to how Chuck described…

In the past five years, attending funerals has occupied more of our calendar space than attending weddings, a new chapter in our journey. My wonderings,my curiosity, my trust about heaven stirred, a good thing…

Niche - A comfortable place, or status, or position appropriate for a person. From google and the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Why was a niche so important to me? What did the niche provide for me?

My husband sometimes watches college wrestling on TV. He enjoys it. He understands it. He wrestled in high school and college. I rarely watch with him. I don’t understand it and I don’t enjoy it. That’s sometimes how I feel about life. It’s like a wrestling match or a fight. There are so many “hards” swirling around me. I don’t enjoy it…

I am so thankful for Romans 8:1 There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. You know, there are some stories that sometimes are just so embarrassing you don't even want to share them. If you do, you learn you not only minister…

Rachel celebrated her 30th milestone last July. She connected with several of us (older, ah-hem) friends asking for a gift - our gift of words written on a card and delivered by snail mail. How old-fashioned. I loved it…