It was a three bedroom apartment in Chennai in South India. Our boys were ten and four and the house was filled with colorful artwork, toys in all sizes and shapes, mainly lots of bats and balls of all types. Our little balcony boasted of a bird cage with colorful love birds, a gift from friends. We also took pride in our little balcony garden. Mike and Meshu enjoyed seeing caterpillars turn into pupa and then fly away as bright butterflies.
Read MoreI remember exactly where I was the day my season of wait began. It was the summer of 2014, right in the middle of hot sticky July. My mother, sister, brother and I were standing in a department store waiting to check out just as the tornado sirens buzzed. Rain began and thunder followed almost immediately. The line was long, snake like, intimidating, never ending. “C’mon,” I thought, “I want to go home and read a book. This is taking too long”
Read MoreLuke 1:30 reads “Messenger: Mary, don’t be afraid. You have found favor with God.”
I love this passage - like I love absolutely everything about the Christmas story - but in particular, how this passage is not just for the Christmas period. This is relevant to us at any time when we are feeling surprised by unknown circumstances or taken aback by curveballs in our worlds.
Read MoreOld and faulty wiring systems can cause the entire electrical system to either trip or blow up the fuses or create a spark that can lead to a potential fire that can destroy your beautiful homes that were painstakingly designed and decorated. Although rewiring may seem a major investment, it is worth it to keep checking to see if your old wiring needs to be updated to reduce the risk of a fire and increase the value of your home.
Read MoreThis week we will be studying verses with the word OBEY.
Read MoreWhen I was young, I saw my mother on her knees on New year’s eve each year in the family room, praying for us. We would all attend the morning service at church as a family. The year was over.
Read MoreGirls fight with pornography as well as gentlemen. We just don’t say anything because we feel that no one will understand. I understand. I have been there. I know what you are going through. Trying to sweep it under the rug will only work so long. I know, I am a pro at sweeping my mistakes under the proverbial rug. But not acknowledging our mistakes, just allows them to keep growing and become a den of lions.
Read MoreWe finished our takeaway coffees and headed back to the ward to wait. It was quiet, there weren’t a lot of people around. The room was nice, it even had a little view of the city parks.
Read MoreTwo weeks ago, we had a discussion about 5 signs of a cult and being aware of what type of church you attend. There are many groups that are misleading or drawing people away from the church. However, there are equally a great number of churches that draw people to Jesus. It is important to recognize when you find a great church so you can plug in and be a part!
Read MoreOur word for the week is LOWLY.
Read MoreA few months ago, I put in my two weeks’ notice at work to begin a career as a full-time writer. I was nervous about the transition. But, I had enough work lined up for several months, and I was confident that I would continue to find more projects especially when I had twice as much time available.
Read MoreThe season is upon us. The season of debating. Do you go ahead and put up your Christmas decorations? Or do you wait until you have celebrated Thanksgiving?
Read MoreI have always loved looking at people’s hands. I love my husband’s hands, especially the older he gets. They are large, rough, and starting to show his age. I love my mom’s hands— they’re beautiful and show the years she spent raising her daughters, caring for her elderly mom, and helping me with my kids when they were little. I love my dad’s hands—he is ninety years old and they look very similar to this picture you see. These people that I mentioned are known for their hands, and hands represent a life lived.
Read MoreThis year we are privileged to have, Yvonne, a reader from New Zealand publish our Advent study. For those who don’t know Advent is a countdown to Christmas and this is a perfect time to learn more about Advent. Join us the next 4 weeks on Mondays via www.tirzahmag.com for a new week’s article for you to reflect on throughout your week.
Read MoreShe spent a lot of her time in prayer behind closed doors. And with her frugal savings helped many widows and evangelists who came to her with a need. Her only regret was not pursuing higher studies, and she always voiced her sadness about not having a father.
Read MoreOnce upon a time, I had a group of friends. It started harmless enough. We were the best of friends who loved to live life together. One day everything changed. Life started to get less and less fun. Divisions were caused and rifts were built. Suddenly, having fun was a sin.
Read More1 Corinthians 13, verses 4 through 7, has always fascinated me. As a child, I saw it as yet another unattainable thing in the Bible. It was something that Christians were supposed to be, but also something I could never be. It felt overwhelming. As a youth, I started to understand that these were qualities of Christ, yet they still felt beyond my grasp. As a young adult who walked away from the Lord, I no longer cared what the Bible said about anything
Read MoreWhat do you do when there is a tear-stained face, hair uncombed, a heart full of fear and anxious thoughts racing up and down, a time when you can’t eat, sleep or face anyone? How does the Bible tell us to face, endure and overcome suffering?
Read MorePeople often tell single gals that once you’re ready, God will send a husband into your life. But, what is “ready”? I struggled with that in my single years, often thinking that maybe the reason God wasn’t giving me a husband for so long was because I wasn’t ready for marriage. Or maybe my husband wasn’t ready. Maybe neither of us was ready, and so we had to wait.
Read MoreThis fall I am on the home stretch of a goal to read through the Bible in one year. I wrapped up the Old Testament during the dog days of summer, which gave me a new perspective on persistence in patience, and am finally reading the good news in the fresh air of fall. Wrapping up the Old Testament during the dog days of summer and reading the good news in the freshness fall brings. It has been a joy to read of new life and new freedom in the new season.
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