As a family member of someone with a mental health condition, I’ve often had more questions than answers: When is bad behavior caused by a mental health condition and when is it an expression of a sinful human heart? At what point am I enabling instead of helping? How do I best show patience, grace and compassion? As the Lord helped me
I struggle daily with chronic depression. Wow, I really just wrote that. I’m still learning to accept this reality. I grew up in a Christian home and my extended family was always active at our church. I’m so grateful for that gift from God and I’m quite certain that’s why I’m still living today. That being said, talking about mental illness or
He saw past her physical thirst to the deeper issue. His kind did not usually mix with her kind. To be in her neighborhood that day was unusual. Some might even say scandalous. What would people think if they saw him talking with a Samaritan woman? After all, she had a questionable reputation. She had already had five husbands, and the man
He was a man after God’s own heart. David was a murderer and an adulterer. His life’s resume included both the lowly role of shepherd and the exalted role of Israel’s king. His life was full of highs and lows. He knew what is was to be loved by people and what it was like to hide in a cave wondering what
The place of exile became the place of revelation. A precious few got to walk with Jesus on earth. They ate with him, served with him, learned from him, laughed with him. It was exhilarating to experience the power released in just a word or touch of his hand; his disciples couldn’t wait to see what happened next. His love for people
In early July, I received an e-mail that said in a few days, 56 Ukrainian Refugees would be arriving in MN for the USA Cup. They were in need of transportation to and from some events, so I readily volunteered. Two days later I was picking up a mother and her two daughters from Northwestern College, where they were staying. The mother
Upon hearing the need for volunteers to provide housing for Ukrainian teenage soccer players, I felt God prompting me to say yes to the opportunity—but I began rationalizing. “I’m just a single woman.” “I’m in my 60s.” “These teenagers won’t want to hang out with an old lady.” God’s nudging persisted: “Trust me. Share what I’ve blessed you with to bless others.”
Welcome to week three of our discussion on what it means to walk in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. So far we have discovered that by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins, God has offered forgiveness and pardon from all sin. To all who believe and place their full trust in Christ, God offers eternal life (1
