Happy APRIL dear friends! We can’t believe how fast the year has gone, but as we head into a new month and a new season, we are thrilled for what’s ahead. This month we will begin an eight-week, in-depth study of Ephesians using our Walk In Grace journal as a guide. This journal uses a […]

ASCENDING CALVARY Last fall we introduced a new study entitled He Is: Experiencing the Power of Jesus’ Name. This beautiful fictional narrative was written by Kara Holmes, Gretchen’s sister. It combined elements of a fictional story with truth from Scripture, and we spent the time leading up to Christmas digging into the names of God. […]

Motivation is a curious thing. We can be motivated by things so easily – sometimes recognized, other times subconsciously. When we recognize something that compels us into action, it’s easier to get moving and make a choice that brings us satisfaction. We choose to eat healthy all day so we can reward ourselves with a […]

I was at lunch recently with some friends enjoying a conversation with everyone as we waited on our food. The delicious food was brought to the table but one of the dishes was taking longer than anticipated. The friend who had ordered this side was incredibly rude to the waitress, even though she was being extremely […]

Walk In Grace. It sounds nice. But what does it really mean? I think walking in grace is all about recognition followed by application. We have to have an open heart to recognize the graces God has given us – both the ultimate grace of forgiveness through salvation, and the subtle graces of goodness He’s […]

Have you ever chosen a word for the year? My word for 2017 was actually three words: Walk In Grace. And I didn’t really chose it. God sort of dropped it in my lap and for weeks I kept coming back to that simple phrase: Walk In Grace. Those three words aren’t from one Bible […]

As we watched a man walking down the street, tossing beautiful colorful petals on the concrete, we wanted to snatch them up and hold onto them — what a waste! — we thought. Why is it that we seem to grasp for the petals and pieces of color instead of longing for the garden of grace and the relationship with the Gardener Himself?

In the blink of an eye, my phone has become an added appendage to my body. I carry it with me everywhere I go. Even when I am not using it, it seems to be within reach. Every moment seems to be documented on this little device. It makes the most unbecoming accessory. It offers connectivity to the world, while at the same time it disconnects me from what is right before my eyes. It seems that my world often revolves around this tiny box that is only 5.33 inches long and .28 inches deep. I often wonder if the depth of my phone represents the depth of my soul when I allow it to control my thoughts and actions more than I allow God to be the master of my heart?

As we near the end of the year and look ahead to 2017, the buzz of resolutions will inevitably find its way into conversations, commercials will advertise for diets and healthy trends, and we will find ourselves on one of two sides: eager, ready and excited for the challenge – or defeated, tired and so over the “r-word” before New Years’ Eve.