Stirring Up the Spirit of Joy for Our Kids

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

Moving Past Shame Into New Life

"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2 (NLT)

When You Aren’t Sure What the Next Step Looks Like

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Why My Heart Makes a Poor Window

“Nothing is perfect except your words.” Psalm 119:96 (TLB)

The Peace I Need

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

The Sun Still Came Up

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Everything We Need For Beautiful Lives

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

Love Keeps No Record of Wrongs

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV)

Finding God in the Scars

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)

Freedom to Feel

“... where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV)

Living Sacrificially When I’d Rather Live for Self

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 (NIV)

More of Jesus, Less of Me

She Would Have Kept Going

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)

The Easy Way To Rest When You’re Exhausted

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

The Opposite of Burnout Is Jesus

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

To the One Who Longs To Feel Known

“‘Mary!’ Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is Hebrew for ‘Teacher’).” John 20:16 (NLT)

When People Forget, God Never Does

“But Zion said, ‘The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.’ ‘Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!’” Isaiah 49:14-15 (NIV)

What Good Is Grief?

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (NIV)

God Redeems

“For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.” Ephesians 2:14 (NLT)

When God Doesn’t Come Through

“When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” Matthew 11:2-3 (NIV)