After God killed Er and Onan, Judah feared giving his youngest son to Tamar. Instead of looking inward or recognizing God’s sovereignty over the deaths of his…

For years Tamar lived with the knowledge that Canaanite and Jewish law required Judah to care for her. When her mother-in-law died, Tamar concluded she had no hope…

Soap operas have nothing on Scripture and Tamar's story is no exception (Genesis 38). Through his father, Jacob, God promised Judah that the…

At the last minute, my friend couldn’t accompany me to the event where I was speaking but the two hours passed quickly as I drove and listened…

The pastor asked the elderly, childless widow, “What can I do for you?” Her simple response: “Don’t forget me.” I heard the same cry in…

This week Tamar joins us on our Journey to Christmas. Tamar’s story rivals any soap opera for drama and evokes emotional empathy for a sister who experiences…

What should we do while we are waiting for the Lord to “make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the…

“I was sitting behind you at the Thanksgiving Eve service and I am so glad I got to see how ornery your boys are! It gives me hope as I…

Throughout the Psalms, we read the lament, “How long, oh Lord, how long?” Many of you whisper or shout that…

Our kids call Chuck’s mother, Situ, Lebanese for grandmother. Situ is with Jesus but laughter often fills the room when family gathers and we share Situ memories. Every Christmas, someone…

Between now and Christmas, we are pulling back the curtains on the lives of five women: a wounded widow, a professional prostitute, an indomitable immigrant, a bathing beauty and a terrified teenager. Each…

I was about fifteen years old when my very talented, artistic mother coached me to sing All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth for a holiday talent contest. Seconds before I…

So what is a “midwife of the Messiah”? The Apostle Paul challenged Pastor Titus to “teach the older women so that they could teach the younger women” how to walk by faith in their own personal lives. Each o…

On Christmas Eve and day, our first Christmas without Mark, I wrote in my journal: Well, Lord, here I am. Christmas Eve. Running until I drop. Trying not to think…

"Your mother has six other children. Why is it so important for you and your family to go to her house for Thanksgiving? She might be…

Children in foster care and many adopted children deeply grieve during the holidays, even little ones. They may not understand why they are…

As I mentioned in Sunday’s devotional, about two weeks before Thanksgiving every year I begin to feel disorganized, disconnected…

No matter how much we plan and prepare for the holidays, I know we will all agree, especially those like me whose loss was…

What gives us the strength to get through the holidays when our hearts want to give up? I never want to forget the anguish and tears…

Dear Friends, It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, It's the Hap-happiest season of all... except... when it's not.…