As an author, I love characters. Not just in fiction, but in reality. Have you contemplated the various characters - and the lessons they can teach us - in the Christmas story? This Christmas, may we all have... The COURAGE of Mary, who embraced God's calling on her life, in spite of personal risk and …
Thunder vs. gentle whisper
Most dogs don't like thunder. Mine are no exception. A massive thunderstorm moved through the area recently, with rumbles so close that it shook the house. My dog slept a few feet away from where I was sitting, but quickly moved to press against me as the thunder rolled. I was immediately reminded of the …
Forgiveness
I'm amazed by the continual grace that God shows us. Have you noticed how often you repeat the same sins over and over again? I sure do. Yet God forgives me every time... even if it's the millionth time I've done it. I love the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 25:2 caught my attention: "It is …
Watch Out for Riptides!
I once heard someone talk about being pulled out to sea in a riptide. See, this woman grew up on the Atlantic Coast, was used to swimming in the Atlantic, yet when she went to an island in the Pacific, she found the ocean to be different from what she expected. She didn't see the …
Trust = Peace
God's timing is a hard thing sometimes, isn't it? And trusting Him while waiting for His timing can be even more challenging! I've gone through phases where I thought I was doing pretty good at the whole "trusting God" thing. Yet, as is so typical of life, just when I think I'm gaining ground, something …
Characters of Christmas
As Christmas approaches, I tend to think a lot about that first Christmas so many years ago and the various characters involved. There's so much we can learn from the people. Take Mary & Joseph. They faced isolation, judgment, and social exile. Yet they willingly submitted to God's plan for their lives. Would you have …
My Way or God’s Way?
Do you ever get frustrated when things don't work out the way you think they should? It might be in the big things or it might be in the day-to-day things, but if we're honest, we've all been there. I've been there more often than I like to admit. In those situations, I often pray …
Discipline: A Blessing?
Years ago, I was studying Romans with a great group of women. One topic that came up is the subject of discipline. Not exactly a fun topic, right? And even less fun when we're going through it. In fact, I bet if we're honest, most of us would say that we'd avoid it at all …
Never Wither
I grew up in fire country. There's a hill that I drove around every week on my way to church. Fire ravaged this hill one summer, leaving it charred and dead. Yet in the midst of it, something wonderful happened. A tree appeared, green and lush, a thing of beauty surrounded by charcoal landscape. It …
The Higher Perspective
Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." These verses are quoted often - and for good reason. We need the constant reminder that God's ways don't …
Candle Sutton 