Not long ago, I found an old journal of mine. Tucked inside was an unfinished poem I had started several years earlier. I decided to complete it, and in the process, I reflected on all the ways God had transformed my life during those three years—how much He had blessed me with growth in wisdom, […]
Author: Colleen Swindoll Thompson
The Report
It was the final report everyone had been talking about. He had about 20 minutes to review the document, which included the company’s account summaries, current standing among the competition, and projected growth. Following a series of mistakes and misfortunes two years earlier, the man was given one year to prove his trustworthiness. And he […]
The Gift of Grace
No one expected him to succeed. He was made fun of in school because of a horrible stuttering problem. His older brother and sister were brilliant; most often he felt like a shadow child rather than a sibling. Though extremely talented, the young shadow boy struggled to speak even one sentence clearly, causing him to […]
The Simple Truth
Believe it or not, you have a decision to make. Regardless of today’s issues or the circumstances that leave you feeling trapped or without hope, you are still free. What is that freedom? It’s the freedom to choose your attitude and actions in the midst of your struggles. Several years ago, I had to come […]
When Hope Returns
Only a week into January . . . and it’s almost certain some families have already encountered a difficult season. Pain enters in and hope begins to wither. I wrote this piece when a light softly appeared at the end of a tunnel. My hope is that this will be an encouraging light for you […]
10 Essentials of a Healing Church
When you encounter people who are going through a trial, do you find yourself thinking: I really want to help them, but what do they need most? As human beings, we all need the following qualities in our lives to help us through our toughest times. As we begin a new year, let’s remember to […]
Easy Ways to Help a Family in Need
When families are dealing with special needs, many of the basic chores of everyday life go from humdrum to hassle. As your friends, neighbors, and church members care for family members with special needs, take some time out of your week to offer a helping hand. One of the most treasured gifts is the gift […]
It’s Free!
It is the need of every human heart; a driving force compelling us to action, influencing our decisions, and intensifying our emotions. It is the universal longing for encouragement. We often think of encouragement as an act of kindness, which is part of inspiring others; but I see encouragement as a gift to be given. Our need […]
Good News and Bad News
“I have some good news and some bad news.” Ever heard that before? We often choose to hear the bad news first, hoping the good news will provide a joyous overshadowing of the other. And sometimes we have to come up with the good news ourselves. I’ll share some of my own good news and […]
In Abundance
We use the word grace to describe many things in life: dancers are graceful; we say grace before a meal; financial institutions grant grace periods; and people of dignity and respect have the character trait of grace. I find these descriptions useful, but there is another, more significant definition of grace: a gift freely given […]
A Prayer for Strength
There is a book titled A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by author Eugene Peterson that puts into words the experiences of many who remain faithful to the Lord while their suffering continues without end. I have prayed the prayer below during such seasons and, today, this is my prayer for you. You may […]
Somewhere Down the Road
Silence has become a friend of mine. But it wasn’t always that way. In case you haven’t noticed, stress can generate a massive amount of noise. Trying to wrap your hands around spilling grief is like trying to catch a roaring waterfall with tissues—there could never be enough to dry it up, but my heart […]