Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. -Romans 12:21 How vital this truth is in the world we are living in. What I love is that, it's always been true no matter what time in history or cultural challenge it would be read in. The Word of God endures forever, and
By Ashley McIlwain If someone were to keep a running list of all of my mistakes and missteps during my life, they would need the world’s largest notebook and a tenacious writing hand. The truth is I screw up all of the time and have since I can remember. Constantly, I battle between what I
By Ricinda Perry Smooshed together like a yummy quesadilla. Have you every felt like things are a little messy at home? I’ve been feeling like my church, family and work life are all mixing up together. As I was working on dinner, I suddenly realized we were functioning like a smooshed up yummy quesadilla with
By Ashley McIlwain When I look around me, I realize how blessed I am with inspirational, successful marriages. My parents just celebrated their 37th anniversary. My sister and her husband their 11th. My husband, Steve’s, parents just celebrated 42 years. Just last month our board members, Greg and Rosemary, hit the 40 year mark. Steve’s
By Rick Poleck After what feels like a long and dreary season, winter is always somehow coerced into giving up its shades of steely gray to peeks of warming sunshine, welcome blue skies, intermittent dots and splashes of color, and the fragrances of floral displays called “spring.” The senses come alive, awakening a body’s dormant
By Ashley McIlwain Love. What does that word even mean? These days it seems no one really knows anymore. When you ask someone what they believe love to be, oftentimes you get a description of euphoric, idyllic feelings that sound like a chapter out of a romance novel or a scene from the latest chick
By Dr. Jeff Klick Every couple fusses and argues now and again. I once served on an elder board where a man said that he and his wife never had an argument in all the years they were married. Really, come on, sixty years and no fights? What he meant is that he and his
By Coleen York When something is wrong I have the tendency to keep to myself. I hole up in my room, close the door, and create my very own personal pain closet. Whether it’s an argument, an emotional day, or a shameful feeling, my instinct is to ferret away and shack up in my room
By Jeffrey A. Klick, Ph.D. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3) The Psalmist David asks this question, and it is worth exploring. Most of us do not have to think too hard to realize that our society is in big trouble. Marriages are being destroyed, all manner of hideous
By Ashley McIlwain What is love? What does it mean to love someone and be loved? What does love look like? Most of us have either asked these questions ourselves or tackled answering them for someone else. Love is an intrinsic part of human life. We desire to be loved. We desire to love. We
