Do you believe that God is near to you at all times? The quick, Christian answer is, “Oh, of course I do!” But I bet for some Christians that question produces inner conflict. Candidly, I wrestle with believing that God is always near. I know in my head that He is always near because I […]
Category: Grief/Encouragement
When You Need to Get Your Fight Back
NOTE: The following post by Michele Cushatt is from her blog. The earth began to buckle. Outside, the sun was shining, the sky blue and bright. To the ordinary, life-rich person, all seemed well. To me, caught in a web of post-surgery pain and chemo-driven nausea, dark closed in. I was sinking. I can’t do […]
Reflections on Surviving
Raising a child with an immune system disorder and running a children’s ministry department at the same time can prove quite problematic—but I tried. There were 600 energetic, excited kids the first Sunday Stonebriar Community Church opened its doors, and the ministry grew exponentially from there. My son Jon was 15 months old and attached […]
Corps Values
He had an enormous laugh that echoed through the hallways of our home throughout my childhood. Long and lanky, this abused-youth-turned-Marine-war-vet-turned-Christian was the most compassionate, broken soul I’ve ever known. Brilliant beyond words, Stu was acutely wedged between humanity’s horrendous pain and the wonderment of our perfect God. Stu aged with staggering grace and poured […]
You Can Make a Difference
Overwhelming odds can make cowards of us all. Because there is so much to be done, we can easily lose heart and do nothing. Because there are so many to reach, it is easy to forget that God wants to use us to touch those few within our sphere of responsibility. I remember the first […]
Mama Bear’s Secret to Changing the World
It was a gamble for sure. I was asked if my son Jon would participate in a social skills development group. “Teenage social skills group”—let’s think about that. Teenage anything can be interesting; social groups, whatever the age, can be quite colorful. Thus, I was skeptical at best and had a few questions for the […]
A Month for Love
It is February. Overcast, chilly, bleak-and-barren February. If you’re not into skiing the slopes, skating on ice, or singin’ in the rain, there’s not a lot outside to excite you. Sure was gracious of God to make it last only twenty-eight days . . . well, sometimes twenty-nine. No wonder bears hibernate at this time […]
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall . . . Tell Me Who You Really Are
I have to admit that my having Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) has not always been such a pleasant experience for my family. I can be scattered and forgetful. I start things with great intentions—but even the greatest intentions don’t guarantee that projects actually get done. So they stack and collect dust in the “someday” corner […]
10 Timeless Truths for the New Year
Not long ago, I came across a story about a meeting in 1923 of some of the wealthiest businessmen in the United States.[ref]Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s New Testament Insights: Insights on James, 1 & 2 Peter (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © Charles R. Swindoll, 2010), 101–2.[/ref] Among them, one businessman was a Wall Street tycoon, another […]
Dealing with Holiday Loneliness
It’s true. For many people, the holidays draw up painful memories. Sore spots from childhood or the loss of loved ones hit them hard during this sentimental season. While many people celebrate the joys of Christmastime, others suffer its loneliness. During one of the most desperate times of David’s life, the anointed future king of […]
A Shocking Gift
When my dad, Chuck Swindoll, was a kid, he found under the Christmas tree a pleasantly wrapped package with his name on it . . . and he did what every kid does. With no one looking, he quietly picked it up, smelled it, took a good look at its wrapping, and shook it—hoping for […]
Seven Helps for a Broken Heart
I wish there were Band-Aids for broken hearts—and maybe a little miracle dust sprinkled on the Band-Aid pad instead of the antibacterial stuff. Just sayin’ . . . because I really would have preferred a quick fix the other day. But I’m continuing to learn that there’s no quick fix to healing a hurting heart. […]