Piper once asked the question that if we could have heaven with all the things we talk about being free from… pain, suffering, tears. If we could have heaven with our friends and family and joys. But if Jesus wasn’t there, would we still want it? At least that’s my paraphrase. And I have chewed on that thought over and over and over.

Y’all, Jesus is what it’s all about. Yes, there will be freedom from sin and pain and death and that will be wonderful. Yes, I will be with friends and family and experience complete and utter joy, and that will be wonderful. But none of it, NONE of it would have meaning without Christ’s presence, because He is the One Who brings freedom and joy and relationship.  Read more... (321 words, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)

THAT is how our hope endures no matter what tomorrow brings, no matter what the past has held, no matter what occurs today.

He is our hope.

And He never changes.

Song: Our Hope Endures
Artist: Natalie Grant
Album: Relentless

You would think only so much can go wrong
Calamity only strikes once
And you assume that this one has suffered her share
Life will be kinder from here  Read more... (274 words, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)

I have made no bones about how I love, love, LOVE Jj Heller. I have listened to her music almost daily through the past years. Recently she debuted a new album, Painted Red, and her I’ve been listening to her song, Your Hands, like crazy over the past weeks (not even realizing what an hit it had become on Christian radio, because I don’t listen to much radio.)  Read more... (377 words, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

I don’t remember exactly how old I was when he died. I know I was a teenager. He was the husband of one of my mom’s close friends. My brother and I played at his house often with his two children. He was a man well known and loved in our small town community. He coached baseball and basketball to hundreds of kids every season and was loved by every one.  Read more... (789 words, estimated 3:09 mins reading time)

My friend, Kristen at No Small Thing, wrote an amazing post yesterday about motherhood. About how easy it is to look around and think, “This is it?” And to her response to that question I shout an overwhelming “Yes, Yes, YES!” This is it and this is beautiful!

She writes:

Here in this little house, I am sculpting human beings.

I am molding little hearts.

I am forming little minds.

I am responsible for the very lives of four small people.

Is their truly anything bigger than this?  Read more... (280 words, estimated 1:07 mins reading time)