Finding wholeness in the empty nest. by Beth Farley I was heading to the bookstore to do some writing when indigestion reminded me that I had forgotten my heartburn medicine. I can’t go to the bookstore without drinking a cup of café coffee; I can’t drink coffee without the heartburn medicine, so off to…
Category: Home and Family
Heart and Soul
Christ performs major surgery on the deepest need. by Dave Moors as told to Priscilla Tate Gilmore In February 2001, when my wife was four months pregnant, our obstetrician, Dr. Robert Olson, delivered alarming news: “Based on previous blood tests, there is a ten percent chance that your baby will be born with Down’s…
Naming Jason
Surrender to the sovereign will of God is not always easy. by Karen Foster A sharp pain jarred me awake at 4 a.m. Rubbing my large belly, I urged my unborn son, “Settle down in there.” I breathed deeply, but another searing pain made me bolt up in bed. My heart pounded. I can’t…
Untying the Knot
Preferring God’s will to a doomed future. by Mary Leslie Tipps It was done. The preparations were finished. The responses were in, the wedding dress had been tailored for the last time, the flowers had been designed and ordered, the bridal showers had been hosted. The guests who needed to purchase airline tickets had…
Finding ‘Till Death Do We Part’
Wise words on how to find God’s best for a mate. by Jennifer Slattery Choosing a future spouse is one of the most important decisions we will face. Consider the well-known phrase included in most marriage vows: “Till death do we part.” Marriage is supposed to be a life-long commitment to love, cherish, and…
The Other Woman
An unexpected lesson in forgiveness. by Marcie Nootenboom “I can’t forgive them!” I cried out to God. “They ruined my life!” I was really saying, “I refuse to forgive them” — my ex-husband and his second wife. Birthday surprise It began when I was twenty and our son was about to turn a year…
Parenting a Child with a Disability
How to trust God in the rough places. by Geralyn Anderson Arango, Ed.D. The essay “Welcome to Holland,” by Emily Perl Kingsley, is familiar to many parents of children with disabilities, especially children with Down syndrome. The piece relates the experience of raising a child with a disability to planning a dream-come-true trip to…
Bittersweet Birthday
Letting go of those we love mostand releasing them to God. by Nancey West I knew this birthday would be special. My daughter, Kristi, lived 1,600 miles away and was coming home for the weekend. My son, Matt, had finished his summer job and was home to start another year of college. They would…
In the Heat of Battle
Strategies for pushing back the Enemy in marriage. by Teresa Cook “Stop treating me like a two-year-old!” Michael hissed. “Sorry!” I spat back. My husband and I finished getting ready for bed in silence. How many times lately had we ended our day like this? I’d always considered Michael my best friend, someone I…
When a Child Prays
Some lessons learned young last a lifetime. by Bill Vossler Hands upraised, our minister urged his congregation to pray: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin…