Finding light in mental darkness. by Ruth Schiffmann Some people are like a patch of blue sky every day. Their voices soothe secret hurts. Their smiles absorb harsh words. Their touch heals mortal wounds. Their souls are thick and can cushion the most force-felt blow. My mother was one of those people. She clung…
Author: nowwhat
Forget Me Not?
God’s help for wholeness. by Janice Hughes Mother stopped laughing and placed her bingo card on the table. “Who are you?” she asked as her eyes studied my face. I answered and waited for a glimmer of recognition from this woman who had given me life. There was none. In her soft, sweet voice,…
View From a Cracked Mirror
Finding God when the bottom falls out. by Patty Knittel I lay on the bed, staring at the camera perched in the upper corner of the room and wondering what the people on the other end were thinking about me. Are they concerned that I haven’t left the room yet this morning? Have they…
New Mercies
Can a loving God understand thedepth of a mother’s pain? by Laura A. Baggett His name was James. At sixteen weeks, my pregnancy was going fine, and I did all the right things. But one day when I went in for a routine ultrasound, there was no heartbeat. For the next thirty-six hours, I…
My Father’s Porn
A painful walk toward healing. by Amber Piper* I was a seven-year-old cutie when I discovered my dad’s pornography. I had seen porn before at my uncle’s house. While it cut my female core, it fit my uncle’s character. He was a terrible man, so I could expect him to have this terrible thing…
Keeping Porn From the Home
In a 2003 Focus on the Family poll, 47.8 percent said porn was a problem in their home. Maybe you’re one of them, unaware of the potential disaster. One small choice by parents can yield devastating results for their children. But it is never too late for action. Truth always heals. Expose what you…
The Anvil
Tears and triumph under the hammer of God by Harold “Doc” Arnett Working at an alternative high school was never on my list of short-term or long-term goals. After teaching seven years in public high school, I did my doctoral work and then taught college for seven years. Teaching college was downright enjoyable. All…
Encouraging the Unemployed
A helpful hand to those out of work. by Constance B. Fink Even though you may not have personally heard the words “Your services are no longer needed” or “The company is downsizing” or “You’re fired,” chances are you know someone who has. The impact of one pink slip reaches far beyond the individual….
Teaching Shane
A problem student becomes anunusual answer to prayer. by Lonna Enox I recognized the name as I glanced over the temporary roster for third period sophomore English. No! I spent a few moments in private ranting about the injustice before starting on a seating chart. Why did I always get the Shanes* in my…
Encouraging the Unemployed-Resources
Recommended Reading When God Doesn’t Make Sense by James Dobson (Tyndale House Publishers, 1993) This is a practical book for those going through difficulties, such as disease, divorce, rejection, death, or sorrow. Experiences like these are hard to understand and seem unfair. Dr. James Dobson, a Christian psychologist and family counselor, writes this book…