Learning to see the unique design of the Creator. by Sanet Smit “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3, NIV). OK, now we’re cooking! I thought as I read this familiar scripture. God made this…
Author: nowwhat
Lost and Found
Scriptural truth in the threat of tragedy. by Bonnie Evans Morning offered no hints that this day would be different than any other Wednesday, that it would be overwhelmed by every parent’s worst nightmare or teach me lessons I would never forget. Innocent request Just as I slid the last dumpling into the simmering…
Prowling Beast Present Savior
An Alaskan adventure puts onefrightened faith to the test. by Samuel Hall I jerked awake, aware not of a sound but of a presence. I cocked my head but heard only the patter of drops on the rain fly. A swish of wind scrubbed even that, leaving a silence as impenetrable and obstinate as…
A Patch of Blue Sky
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…
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…