As I sit writing this, we are only days away from the start of a new Advent season, and by the time this is posted it will have already begun. While we ought to dwell on the magnificence and mystery of Christ’s incarnation throughout the whole year, it is at this special time, that we as believers should be completely captivated by its significance and meaning in our lives. 

​This can be one of the busiest times of the year for many of us. As we bustle about with church and family gatherings, concerts, shopping, baking, travel, and a host of other activities, we can quickly find ourselves worn out with little thought given to considering what this season is all about. While the fun, parties, gifts, and music are wonderful parts of Christmas, they are not the Thing itself, and we can easily do ourselves and our children a great disservice by not setting aside time to contemplate Christ and wonder at His coming. ​

​My family recently returned from a trip to Hawaii. My husband is overseeing a work project there, and my daughter and I had the good fortune to accompany him on his last trip.

We are always grateful when we can be together and travel as a family when he has to go away for work. But to experience a place like Hawaii with each other was a very special treat.

​Everything was as I expected and more so. It is an amazingly beautiful place with its sandy shores, ocean views, and lush green mountains. It’s no wonder that people call it paradise.

​After a couple of days, I posted a few pictures on social media and a friend messaged me joking about how jealous she was. Her message surprised me, but not in the way one might think. 

Have you ever wondered where to go in the Bible when you need courage? How about when you’re lonely or feeling fearful? And what about when people fail you?

Did you know there are answers for these situations in God’s textbook for life—the Bible?

There’s so much wisdom found there!

Like what to do when the finances are tight, how can I develop an eternal focus, and how to pray when I am in danger.

Find these and more in this 25-day Bible study.

This study leads the reader through God’s Word from Joshua—courage, to Hebrews—faith.

​​Have you ever thought about praying for safety before you travel? It’s in there! 

​As summer comes to a close, I am enjoying spending these days in the States where it is a bit warmer than I am used to in England. I get to wear my flip-flops and sandals just a little longer over here in the warmer weather. The only problem with wearing sandals is that my feet tend to not stay clean very long.

​On a recent trip to the beach, I was majorly bothered by the sand that finds its way into EVERYTHING including inside my sandals and all over my feet. It took much effort to clean all that sand and dirt off my feet at the bathhouse near the beach. But as soon as I put my foot down, you guessed it, more dirt and sand. I am easily bothered by such a little thing as the sand on my feet. Can you imagine how dirty peoples’ feet would have been in Bible days? Remember it was dusty and sandy in certain parts of Israel. And the people walked pretty much everywhere they went in their sandals. 

My daughter Emersyn is currently finishing up her swimming lessons for the summer. It’s been very rewarding to see her progress as both her skill and confidence have grown. As I’ve had a front-row seat to her frustrations and successes throughout this process, it’s reinforced to me a part of her personality that I can relate to.

In one of her early lessons, her teacher remarked to me that our greatest hurdle in helping Emersyn become a better swimmer would be encouraging her to give up the illusion of control.

​As her mom, I’ve seen this struggle manifest itself in many ways — her reluctance to go down the slide at the playground, hesitation in her interactions with our new puppy, unwillingness to jump from a higher step or platform unless I am holding her hand. ​

I met Melissa Turner while watching Home Town with Ben and Erin Napier on HGTV. Season 4, Episode 3: The Church House aired on February 3, 2020. We were just about to go deep into COVID land. 

Melissa's husband is a minister and they are offered the clergy house, but it's too small for their large family. Ben and Erin do their magic and the place is just amazing in no time at all. 

I expected to see a lovely renovation while watching the show that night, but what I didn't expect was to meet an author and artist! Melissa Turner is both. She has a series of children's books that are both beautiful and inspiring.

Loss. Sorrow. Grief. Whether they happen to us directly or to those we love, they are frequent and regular parts of our existence in a sin-cursed world. In the last month alone, my husband and I have experienced a family member who has suffered a miscarriage, the sudden death of a beloved and faithful fellow church member, and a dear college friend of mine who abruptly lost his job and means to support his family. 
 
Although we cannot escape grief in this life, as believers we have the blessed consolation of experiencing it very differently from those who live without God. We still grieve, but we do so with hope (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Even in the midst of deep pain, we have hope that God makes no mistakes, that He always keeps His promises, that He loves us and walks with us, and that one day all will be made right. He is our hope and the hope with which we can comfort others. ​