When a Painting Became a Doorway to God

📚The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen It was 2019 when I picked up a book that changed me. I honestly don't recall another book that has impacted me so deeply. I went back through my journals to recall everything I felt during that time—I

How Should I Respond When I Feel Like God Has Let Me Down?

📚Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey It was in the late 90’s when I first read Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey. I know, many people are now disappointed with Yancey, and rightly so. However, the truth in that book from 1988 is still truth today. I had a

Putting a Face to the Tempter in a Season of Wandering

📚The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis My all-time favorite author is C.S. Lewis. Both his fiction and nonfiction are so captivating and full of wisdom. I love his space trilogy, and of course, the Chronicles of Narnia are—chef’s kiss. But my absolute favorite book of his

Why Am I Such a Terrible Person?

Do you ever have days when you don't like yourself? If so, here is some encouragement.

How I’ve Changed My Perspective on Doubt and Answered Prayers

📚I've Seen the End of You by W. Lee Warren A friend of mine at church once brought to my attention that when he hears me pray for people, he finds it interesting that I always pray for what they are asking for, yet I always add a

What Fiction Taught Me About Truth, Perception, and Extending Grace

📚The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker I was in high school when I read The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker. I was tearing through stories at that time in my life. Most were science fiction (actually, most were Star Wars). It was exciting to get lost in other worlds. Homework,

There’s No Such Thing as an Overqualified Christian

📚Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices In Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren I was sitting cross-legged on the dining room floor changing my infant son’s diaper, crumbs and toys scattered everywhere, overwhelmed with the responsibilities of the care and keeping of a home and the 24/7–365

A Thought That Leads to Despair

How Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire shaped me as a teenager.

How a Book on Romans Led to a Marine's Salvation

📚Romans: The New Man, An Exposition of Chapter 6 by D.M. Lloyd-Jones Above my computer screen hangs a portrait facsimile of D.M. Lloyd-Jones, affectionately called the Doctor. I was a newly born-again Christian in my early 20s as I entered my pastor’s office. Wide-eyed staring at all

How Practicing Contentment Led to Joy in My Everyday Life

📚Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow The spring of 2023 marked a difficult season in my life. It was not a season of depression or discouragement, but rather one of listlessness. My husband and I had been living in Honduras as missionaries for about six months, and I was

The Letters That Led Me from Burnout to Joy

📚The Heart of a Servant Leader: Letters from Jack Miller by C. John Miller I was a tired pastor, discouraged with my ministry and my Christian life. I needed something that would help, but I didn’t know what that could be. Somehow, I came across a book by another

When I Realized I Didn’t Know as Much as I Thought

📚The Story of Reality by Gregory Koukl I’ve called myself a Christian for most of my life, but this past year really made me stop and think about what that actually means. I started stepping into more responsibility at church—helping with middle school ministry and leading a discipleship