The Collection - By Author

With the coming of May each spring, the grey days of winter have faded from memory as sprigs of green and bursts of bright colors emerge to delight our senses.  At the peak of all this loveliness, Mother’s Day arrives and presents us with the opportunity to once again celebrate the beauty of motherhood and the influential, godly women who have touched our lives.

“Jude … come here, buddy.” I looked into the eyes of my toddler as he slowly walked toward me. I had just corrected him out of frustration in a tone that was too harsh — it was the first time I can remember doing so. I was filled with remorse as I looked at his forlorn little face, feeling like I had just completely failed in my motherhood journey.

An Introduction from Leslie LudyOne of the most convicting statements I’ve ever read is “A pure heart is one to which all that is not of God is strange and jarring” (John Tauler, as quoted in God’s Missionary, by Amy Carmichael). As Christians who are set apart for Jesus Christ, the ungodly sights and sounds of our culture should never feel “comfortable” to us.

Has anything taken a place in our heart that is reserved for One?There it was – another testimonial. Someone started taking a health supplement and within weeks their life was drastically changed for the better. For two years I had been taking this particular brand of supplement, hoping to see improvement in some of my long-term health issues.

An Intro From LeslieIt was Christmas Eve, and I was eight years old.  Our house was completely dark except for the sparkle of candles that my mother had placed around the house, and the radiant glow of Christmas lights from our colorfully decorated tree.  The air seemed to sparkle with heavenly light as our family gathered in the living room to read the Christmas story from the Bibl

It was a cool March evening, just days before my second child was going to be born.  I rocked my son, Jude, looking down into his flushed, feverish face. He was fighting croup, a sickness all of my siblings and I have been hospitalized for. Worry was threatening to overwhelm my mind and heart — all those familiar feelings of fear and “what ifs” bombarding me.

Milk, eggs, chicken … I sat at our dining room table one morning in December, working on a shopping list. As I put the first few items down my heart was restless, but I tried to push away the uneasy feeling that arose inside of me.

A few months ago I found myself at one of my favorite second-hand clothing stores, specifically for the purpose of updating my maternity wardrobe after finding out another little one was on the way.

 And whatever you do,Do it heartily, as to the Lord...Colossians 3:23Dear reader,Have you ever wondered how to escape the frivolous undertow of the 21st-century lifestyle? Have you ever had the longing to live for “something more” than the trending tides of our here-today, gone-tomorrow world?

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; Trust in Him, and he will act.Psalm 37:4-5 ESVI remember the moment I learned about her concerns.

Before my husband and I got married, a lot of people offered us practical advice. Some of it was excellent, and some was … not so excellent.