Suggested reading from the Editor's personal library.

Faith is not some trendy church word used by Christ-followers, or a word to be tossed around in a casual manner. Isaiah 6:7b says, If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all. God takes our faith in Him very seriously and we should, too.

The Bible is a treasure, taken for granted by many, but deeply appreciated by others.

I overheard someone mention the name of the woman playing guitar: Toni Rypkema. How could I forget a name like that? Without hesitation, I stepped across the courtyard and introduced myself. We laughed and were excited to finally meet. Little did I know, our brief encounter would be the first of many as she would become a dear friend.

Sex trafficking is not a crime of chance—it’s a business. And like any business, it thrives on demand. As long as there are people willing to pay for sex, traffickers will continue to supply victims.

What do you do when life throws you more losses than wins? Or when fear whispers a lie that cripples your confidence and steals your strength?

The smell of exhaust tickled Brittany’s little nose as she walked away from the big yellow school bus toward the house where she and her mom stayed. As she neared home, those big brown eyes searched frantically when she heard booming, angry voices.

Going through a season of waiting requires perseverance in the face of disappointment.

Not so long ago, I couldn’t walk out the door without an argument. For years, darkness, insecurity, and paranoia enslaved my husband which eradicated even the tiniest glimmer of joy in his life. And for so long, we didn’t know why.

Wandering through days in the valley of the shadow of death is palpable and daunting. Memories flood the senses with all things beautiful while the heart is fragmented. Time takes on a new meaning. Another day, another week, another month. Another year refusing to stand still.

A sense of renewal hangs in the air as I pen my thoughts. It’s time to reset our minds and make some changes.

As a Christian, I’ve often wrestled with the tension between pursuing both God and financial stability. On one hand, I want to trust God completely and focus on my spiritual growth. However, I also know I need money to provide for my family, give generously, and live responsibly.

Just like with the earth, God designed our lives to flourish in and out of seasons. And no matter what, every season has a unique purpose and is inherently good.

In 1995, I ventured into the Financial Services industry. I thought it would help us solve the all too common problem of stretching paychecks to cover household expenses. Amidst this struggle, I discovered a deeper issue. I had allowed financial responsibilities and the pursuit of financial success to often overshadow life's true purpose. In my pursuit of wealth, I had inadvertently sidelined my faith, relegating Christ to a secondary role.

She sat in her doctor’s office awaiting test results. At forty years old, she was sure pregnancy wasn’t the cause of her unusual symptoms. It couldn’t be. With two children, one in elementary school and one in middle school, she and her husband were not looking to start over. Besides, they were told they couldn't have any more children. 

My beautiful horse, Rita, was covered in dried blood, dirt, and sweat. She was so beaten up and traumatized that, as she struggled to stand, she was almost unrecognizable.

I love rain. I love the smell of rain even before the first drop falls. As a child, I would lie in the door and watch the rain. To this day, I love to fall asleep listening to the rain. While too much rain can cause severe damage, especially when coupled with strong winds and deafening thunder, the fact is, life wouldn’t exist without the rain.

“Ouch!” Excruciating pain tore through me as I yelled at my attacker, ““Get out of here!” Angrily, I blotted the blood running out of two deep wounds. 

A few years ago, my husband and I traveled to rural India on a journey to explore adoption. The long trip involved planes, trains, and automobiles. With each successive change of transportation, we moved deeper into rural country, entering one of India’s most backward states, especially in terms of education and empowerment for girls.

Are you a natural conversation starter? I’m not. I’m especially hesitant to begin a conversation about my Christian faith with people I don’t know or just met. Many Christians have a hard time sharing their faith, so I know I’m not alone. Most people won’t actively flee town to keep from speaking about Jesus as the prophet Jonah did, but avoiding opportunities or remaining silent when given an opportunity is far too common.