Matthew 7:12 Treat others as you want to be treated. Luke 10:27b Love your neighbor as yourself. February is the month of love and also World Kindness Day, February 17th. What better way to show love, than kindness? Random Acts of Kindness has become quite the...

We enjoyed fall’s overture and the holiday hurrah and now a stillness and slowness settles over the world.  Creation feels it needs space to rest and recharge. And maybe deep down, if we want to admit it, there’s also a sense of trepidation of how to (joyfully,...

Candles are my favorite thing about winter - particularly red candles that smell like apple cinnamon.  There’s something calming and cozy about the warm steady flicker.  Candles remind me of the Light of the World - Jesus, John 8:12, “ I am the light of the world.”...

Thanksgiving says it in the name, a time to give thanks.  Liberally praise God - Psalm 103 says ‘Bless the Lord oh my soul, all that is within me’.  First we can thank God for His unchanging nature that’s seen us through so much this year. As the Psalmist lists in...

A hot mug of mulled cider goes well with this crisp autumn air!  Love my family’s annual fall tradition of getting together for cider and doughnut making.  Years ago Grandpa Gross planted apple trees.  Now four generations gather...

Last school year we got a little taste of homeschooling and a whole new level of respect for teachers. If homeschooling is the route you’re taking, resist comparing yourself to those awesome teachers. They’re passing the baton to you. Run your best! Hebrews 12:1-3...

Every summer kids look forward to summer Bible camps and Vacation Bible schools. Church ladies  plan Bible Lessons, design crafts, write funny skits, dress up like characters, they have as much fun as the kids! The kids love the prizes for bringing guests or...

“...America! America! God shed His grace on thee…”  America’s founding, her history, even this year, the continuing thread is God’s blessing and goodness.  We’ve had good times and bad times, but God has seen us through.  And today I want to encourage you that HOPE...

That picture is of my younger brother, Jonathan, when he was 8 years old. Strawberries were his 4H project. The funny thing is - he doesn’t like to eat strawberries. He spent two years working a garden he wouldn’t eat. Yes, he did all the weeding, and I did all the...

Soul Care Soul care /sol/ /ker/ (noun) The life-giving practice of nurturing a close relationship with God. [see MATT. 28:11-30] There’s much talk about self-care, but even more caring of self, is soul care. Soul care draws us Godward in a deeper, more rejuvenating...