"Take heart, daughter." "Take courage." "Don't be afraid." Jesus spoke these words to lost, searching, and hurting souls when he was here on earth, and he's still speaking them to us today. And aren't we grateful? Especially in these uncertain times. But while these may be uncertain times for us, they're not for him. Because, even now, he stands in the moment when you drew your first breath … [Read more...]
“Shelter in place”
"Shelter in place." "Lock down." "National Emergency." "The worst should be past us by June or July." These are crazy times we're living in, aren't they? And it would be easy to give into the sense of panic rising around us. But those who are clothed with Christ know better. He is our security and our firm anchor always. Always. When theologian Martin Luther was faced with the bubonic … [Read more...]
Celebrating Milestones
Celebrating milestones is important. And I'm celebrating three this week! #1 I recently finished editing the final galleys for my 17th book, Colors of Truth, a Carnton novel, which releases this summer (JULY 7). Galleys are the last time an author sees her book before it goes to print, and it was both fabulous and bittersweet to let go of this one.I realize that 17 books is by no means … [Read more...]
The Chosen…a must-see series!
Have you watched The Chosen yet? If not, you must! This video series has already brought me closer to Christ and I'm not even to episode 5 yet! The Chosen is a free video series that brings the gospels to life. And I mean vivid-step-off-the-page-and-put-on-flesh kind of life! It's phenomenal! The insights. The cultural revelations. The humor! I honestly cannot recall a time in my life … [Read more...]
Tear Jars from Israel {Giveaway} & an engaging new Bible study
Have you ever heard of or seen an ancient tear jar? Stories of tear jars—or lachrymatories—appear often in middle eastern history. In Roman times, women would fill these small glass jars with their tears and place them in tombs as symbols of love and mourning for their deceased loved one. A wife in antiquity might use such a jar to collect her tears of grief and longing for a husband who was … [Read more...]