There are no jerks in heaven

June 9, 2021.Reading time 6 minutes.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matt 7:13-14 Some days I think one of the hardest parts about […]

No reason for fear

March 15, 2021.Reading time 1 minute.

Happy Monday friends! In my Bible study time yesterday, as I prayed for God’s grace for the week ahead, I kept hearing these words from Hebrews 13:5. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” What a comforting thought. It settled and sank right down deep into my spirit. Then I read further […]

Choosing Worship Over Worry

March 27, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

… Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41 Two weeks ago I was one kid away from being an empty nester, but Covid-19 changed everything. My daughters fled their big cities and hunkered down at home. Suddenly there’s more cooking, laundry, dishes . . . more […]

A life changing Bible verse

January 23, 2020.Reading time 5 minutes.

A number of people close to me struggle with anxiety. At times, it’s severe. Furrowed brows, hammering hearts, and full-on panic attacks are common. It’s hard to watch, hard to feel helpless, especially since I’ve experienced these emotions myself. A long time ago, especially when I was a young mother, I worried a lot too. […]

Will you win an award or a reward?

January 7, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

Winter is the time for snuggling under blankets, getting cozy in front of the fire, and . . . awards. Each year, powerful tastemakers in Hollywood celebrate the previous year’s success by staging elaborate award ceremonies. The star-studded events are glamorous – women shine in (mostly) gorgeous gowns and men are decked out in tuxedos. […]

Feeling worried about the year ahead?

December 31, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 I’m watching the dawn break as I write this morning. My view, which faces the Atlantic Ocean (and is blocked by homes in front of me), […]

Easter is more than bunnies and baskets

March 28, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

By Erika Rizkallah In a few days, millions of Christians will celebrate Easter — an observance of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Savior of the world. As a child, I didn’t know about Jesus. For me, Easter was all about the basket. For some reason my father hid the baskets from us. My […]

Sharing the hope of Christ

February 7, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

By Erika Rizkallah The other day my son and I drove one of his buddies home from school. I got the chance to listen in on an interesting conversation. His friend, Matt, is part of a growing movement of Millennials who believe the earth is flat. Shocked, I struggled to keep my mouth shut and […]

Living with Chronic Pain – Rise and Go!

January 22, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

By Erika Rizkallah “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:19 In the passages of Luke 17, Jesus spoke to his disciples about temptation, sin and forgiveness. He told them that if a brother sinned against them seven times and repented seven times, they must forgive him. This would be […]

The Secular and the Sacred: Is one more important than the other?

November 30, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

Do you ever wonder if what you’re doing in the world – whether it be running a business, homeschooling children, or bandaging a friend’s paper cut – is making a difference in the world? I do. All the time. I’m constantly criticizing myself or listening to the critic in my head tell me I’m small […]