When the new year rolls around, most people make resolutions to lose weight, exercise, get their finances in order, etc. I’m working on all those, too. For starters, though, I clean house.  Well, let me clarify that...my husband prods me to clean house. To throw away or give away things that are no longer essential or desired.... Continue Reading →

”There we saw the giants…and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” (Numbers 13:33) My husband, Mark, is almost a giant—he’s 6’6” tall. Someone once called him “freakishly tall,” and the description stuck. Being tall is, for the most part, a nice attribute for him because people... Continue Reading →

“Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord.” (Hosea 10:12) Snow! Who doesn’t love winter snow days? Well, everyone who has to get out in it for a living…all those who brave the cold and wet to get jobs done. I get it. But for those who get to cozy... Continue Reading →

“‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” (Luke 18:4b-5) The best Christmas present I received this year was an answer to prayer. When God answers our requests, sometimes He says “yes,” sometimes “no,” and sometimes “wait”—all according to... Continue Reading →

“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!” Psalm 47:6 Listen carefully to the music around you right now...did you hear them? The faint, occasional refrains of angel song and magi melody? Most of the holiday music blaring on our American radios, from our phones, and in stores is a compilation of 20th-century pop tunes...old favorites... Continue Reading →

“...[Pray] always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18  This Christmas, I’ve wrapped up a lot of “gifts”—in the form of prayers. In the past two weeks, I’ve volunteered (and been asked) to pray for close friends, church brethren, and... Continue Reading →

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7) Our Christmas tree is a fake. A pretty good fake, but a fake nonetheless. Gone are the lush spruces that graced our home for more than... Continue Reading →

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10-11 Recently, I was listening to WCQR-FM (one of our local Christian music... Continue Reading →

“I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116:17) I’m very thankful for the Pilgrims who came to America in 1620...I married one of their descendants. My beloved, Mark, is a 12th-generation descendant of Samuel Fuller, who was only 12 years old when he sailed the... Continue Reading →

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Romans 8:15) In 1999, my beloved husband and I journeyed halfway around the world to Siberia—to adopt a little boy named Alexei. Our lives changed forever. It’s a “God... Continue Reading →