Five a.m. That’s when Christmas begins in my childhood home. I’ve always been a sucker for Christmastime. The tree, the lights, the joy that fills even the darkest days. I’m the person who puts up the Christmas tree before Halloween each year. True story...

He looked into their eyes, and he said to them, “follow me.” It wasn’t fancy or flashy. It didn’t require a coliseum or a worship band playing softly in the background. It didn’t even require their Sunday best attire. It was a simple command, from a simple man, addressed to a simple crowd, and it requires a simple response...

I was visiting with a dear friend and mentor of mine the other day, Pastor Jim. Jim is a wise man and published author (Jim Laudell, author of Lift, look him up) who is an enormous part of my publishing journey with Chasing Jesus...

Today, I desperately seek your approval, her approval, and their approval. I’m scrolling social media; I’m reading your post. I’m searching for likes and loves. I’m hoping for shares, atta girls, and I love you’s. I’m waiting for a text or a call just reminding me I’m loved, and I’m doing a great job at this thing called life...

Whew. What a week it’s been! You too? I thought with the release of my book that 2020 was looking up and then last week happened. Last week reminded me it’s still 2020, the year of craziness and chaos. It also reminded me I’m not in control, but I know a man who is...

I sat down from a long day of camping when my hubs made a comment that sent my mind racing for this devotional. We enjoyed our trip SO very much. It’s been too long since we last camped for a solid week, surrounded by the sound of the cool waters of Current River trickling past the gravel bar we called home for the week. Frogs croaking, fish jumping, and the occasional creepy sounds coming from deep in the woods. There’s truly nothing like it...

I have a confession to make. … I want to quit. Throw my hands in the air, like I just don’t care. True story. With every ounce of my flesh today, I want to quit. Maybe you can relate. Have you ever wanted to quit a job, a relationship or even your faith?...

Water broke. Having a baby. I chuckled and thought, “you can’t get more real than that.” My brother and sister-in-law were at the hospital welcoming the newest member of our fam. As I snuggled up to my hubs last night after crawling in bed, we shared about how much our family has grown in the six years we’ve been in Stockton...

The phone rings, and the news you receive is worse than you imagined. Who do you call? The doctor comes in, and he says a lot of things, but you tuned him out when you heard the word cancer. Who do you call? You hear the words no parent wants to hear, I’m sorry, but he/she didn’t make it. You’re broken as any parent should be. How can life go on, you wonder? Who do you call?...

Do you ever feel disqualified? Like, just maybe, you don’t have what it takes. Maybe God is moving you in a specific direction, but you feel like he’s got the wrong gal or the wrong guy. So many times, we give our weaknesses much more credit than their worth, am I right?...

This week, I have experienced both life and death. Both joy and sorrow, dancing and weeping. I have welcomed a new life and said my farewell to another. (Ecclesiastes 3) Life is ever-changing. Seasons come and as quickly as they come, they’re gone, changing and shaping us along the way...

I have a love hate relationship with surprises. On one hand, I love the thought of a surprise. The excitement and anticipation. I love that someone cares enough to plan a surprise for me. On the other hand, I hate surprises because I’m inpatient, a little nosey and love to be in control. None of those qualities go hand in hand with being surprised...

My dad recently taught my youngest son to play chess. Tyler, my youngest is pretty good at it. He caught on quickly. I’m no chess player. However, I can really bring it when playing checkers. I love checkers. No matter what you are playing — chess, checkers or basketball, you have to have the endgame in mind. You must know where you’re headed and be strategic with every move you make if you hope to arrive at your desired end...

Many moons ago, I attended high school with a guy who knew the Bible frontwards and backwards. He was raised in church and knew how to give off the “churchgoer glow” around other churchgoers. But, I knew this guy pretty well. He was a good friend, but not one who bore much fruit of the scriptures he quoted...

“Just as dreams accompany much labor, so also a fool’s voice comes with many words.” — Ecclesiastes 5:3 CSB. I love when God gives me a dream. God’s dreams for me are the best. And when I say dream, I don’t mean close your eyes and dream dreams. ...

To step toward your destiny, you may have to step away from your security — Craig Groeschel July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 launched into the atmosphere from Cape Kennedy bound for the moon. The spacecraft carried three men: Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin...

I will ALWAYS be the first person to tell you, be you. I believe God created you to be you, not her, not him, not them. You are unique because our creator God made you unique. If he wanted you to be like them, he would’ve made you like them. I want you and God wants you to be you. ...

“The greatest prison people live in is the fear of what other people think.” — Unknown I recently wrote a devotional called “The Weakest Warrior,” where I spoke about my trouble with doubting the things God’s gifted me to do...

All I could think about was what I could be doing. I was making my mental list and feeling a little pouty. Weeks of quarantine were pushing my limits. I thought about the minor things I’ve taken for granted and the big things I’m missing out on. I dare say; I was being a little selfish...

You are a nobody. You will accomplish nothing. You don’t have what it takes. What makes you think God wants to use you? No one wants to read what you write. No one wants to hear what you have to tell; it’s time to throw in the towel. It’s time to quit...