“One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn in life has been the importance of choosing to trust God. I know it sounds so easy, but the doing part is what makes it so hard. I’ll be the first to admit it’s hard to trust God when you can’t see him face-to-face or […]
Author: Jo Ann Fore
Bible Study Should Not Be Boring for Kids
I’ve tricked my grand-daughter into Bible Study and scripture memory before. Outright bribed her. It’s a pearl-clutching confession to some, I know. There are many who caution against the dangers of offering children an external reward to study their Bibles. And while I understand the concept and value of intrinsic reward and agree there […]
DIY Retreat: The Gift of Rest
Guest post by JoAnn Bastien The road wound passed cornfields and barns set far back from the road. Maybe a nice scenic route for some but I was a city girl and the narrow, rural roads with no middle lines painted on the pavement made me nervous. My friend had suggested a […]
When You Don’t Know What to Pray
Guest post by Stacey Thacker Have you ever had someone ask you how they can pray for you and not known what to say? This happened to me as recently as last week. I was in a meeting and a trusted friend asked me that very question and I drew a complete blank. Was […]
We Don’t Have to Do It All
The Power of Encouragement
I’m an encourager. I say that without pomp or pretense and with no need for recognition. I simply like finding the potential good and reminding folks of it on the hard days. It’s part of my wiring. I used to think I had to be qualified somehow before I offered up encouraging words. That I […]
Teaching Our Kids to Be Brave {In a World Gone Wild}
“What was I supposed to do, Nana?” My grand-daughter brushed back a wisp of wet, blonde curls from her crying eyes. “I was only trying to help.” A friend had needed help so Lacey sought an adult. Then her other friends accused her of tattling, and it cut deep. So we had a […]
Because I’ve Been There {Depressed}
. There are some folks you simply want to un-busy your life long enough to sit with, to make memories with, and my dear friend, Dr. Michelle Bengtson has long been one of those people for me. I love her enthusiasm for life and her desire to make a difference in the lives of hurting […]
When Your Soul Cries out for Rest
The smell of the buttered-rum candle floats through the air. On my couch, the oversized pillows prop me sideways while the light tan throw and a plethora of books cover me. Gnarled leaves hold tight to the proud branches of the heroic oak tree standing outside my living room window. The stark winter landscape had […]
Theology for Kids {Big Truths for Little Hearts}
“Nana, can we do that The Ology book again tonight?” Lacey scrambles up on my super-sized bed, her freshly showered hair dripping slow right down her pajamas onto the edge of my comforter. “Here, I’ll get it,” she says, reaching across me to the night stand. “What happens next?” she asks. A couple months back […]