Hello readers! This final post in the series addresses what we can do to take care of our kids from a distance. We have talked about how to pray both alone and with others, but this final strategy consists of tangible, visible action. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21) The devil is real, and he hates us. If he can’t destroy our faith in Jesus, he will do everything he can to keep us from fulfilling God’s plan for our lives. Each one of us is called to walk in good works, which God planned for us before we were born (Eph 2:10). The same enemy who lies to our children tells us that we are powerless to change our situation. He insists that we are unqualified to serve in the Kingdom of God. As I started working on this series, I kept... Continue reading

Many years ago, I attended an event where a pastor from South Africa was speaking. I could not tell you what he was talking about, but I clearly remember where I was sitting in the front row when the Lord spoke to my heart: Your children will rise and call you blessed. I immediately imagined the smallest way in which this could come to pass, but then the Spirit elaborated: All four of your children will come to serve me in your lifetime. As this promise took hold inside of me, I tried not to make a scene. But I was gasping, and tears of joy were streaming down my face. I remember walking around in a state of euphoria for the next several days. And then life happened, and the feeling faded as my kids went farther off the rails. In the years since that day, I have not... Continue reading

Today I want to share about a fairly small thing that has had an outsized impact on my journey over the past several years. But first, let’s revisit the parable of the original prodigal son in Luke chapter 15. The younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. It only takes a few sentences to describe the time the son was away; but between the journey there, the squandering, the famine, and the long... Continue reading

Thank you for staying with me in this series. Please be aware today’s post is interactive! We will work through one of the common struggles related to parenting a prodigal child. As mentioned in a comment last Monday, it is often the case that we dwell on what we did to make our child behave this way. (If you missed it, read it here.) That post points out that the enemy’s lies are at the root of the issue. But it is also true that we as parents are not perfect. There are many things I wish I had done differently in raising my children: influences I would have fought harder to protect against, moments of harshness instead of love and grace. I could easily go on and on. As humans, we have two common responses when we are reminded of our failures. Sometimes we become defensive, excusing or denying... Continue reading

On Monday, I encouraged you to identify the lie that your prodigal son or daughter believes, and to counter that with the truth. I remember well sitting in a counselor’s office with my then-teenager, arguing whether there is such a thing as absolute truth. One of the hallmarks of this age is its relativism, its insistence that each person can define what is true for them, whether or not it’s true for anyone else. I believe truth is a person. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” He told Pilate, “For this reason I came into the world: to testify to the truth.” God created the universe by his word; therefore, his reality is the only valid reality. He created us, and what he says about us is true and valid, regardless of circumstances or the opinions of others or ourselves. What he says about himself... Continue reading

Lately, everywhere I turn, I hear Jesus asking, “Do you really love me?” In passage after passage he says, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” John 14:15 “If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love…This is My commandment: that you love one another as... Continue reading

Credit: Getty Images Jeanne here! In my prayer time this morning Jesus was telling me (and all of us), “Rise up, rise up and rule! Take the seat that has been purchased and prepared for you.” The things he was saying were quite remarkable, and I will talk about them... Continue reading

Hi Friends, Jeanne here. I have a question for you: “Who is Elon Musk? What is he like?” If you asked a hundred people, you would get a variety of answers, including several, “I have no idea.” You’d probably form some concept of Elon Musk based on what you’d heard... Continue reading

Tiffany Gobert Art Part 1 Jeanne here. You might be familiar with that scene from the end of John’s gospel, where Jesus asks Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” The third time, it goes down like this: Jesus asked a third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do... Continue reading

Today I listened to someone recite Psalm 22. With my eyes closed, I gained a new understanding of the time in between the cross and the resurrection. Bits and pieces of scripture came together like puzzle pieces to form a picture I’d never seen before, almost a vision. God, my... Continue reading

Yesterday someone asked, “Why do they call it Good Friday? Why don’t they call it Bad Friday?” I responded, “It is the most excellent Friday.” Why did I say that? The day Jesus died on the cross was the day I was delivered from death and the wrath of God... Continue reading

Hello! This is Jeanne wishing blessings on your springtime, wherever you are! A few weeks ago, someone asked me out of the blue, “Where do you get the idea of tongues?” I could picture myself twenty years ago asking the same question. Growing up, the only exposure I had to... Continue reading

Artwork by StudioJRU Jeanne here! Did you know that before you were breathed into existence by God, he wrote a book about your entire life? That book is in heaven right now. God created you with a set of absolutely unique gifts and talents and abilities and strengths. There are... Continue reading

Jeanne here. Blessings to you and your family during this season of new things! I grew up in a tradition that “fasted” during Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter. I did it, but I never really knew what the point was. Later after I became a believer, I... Continue reading

Hi everyone, Jeanne here. God’s blessings of peace and joy from sunny, chilly Minnesota, where the leaves are a riot of color in the golden light, but you can see your breath if you’re out before sunrise. October 2021 might go down in my memory as the month where God... Continue reading

Photo by Nitish Meena on Unsplash Hello everyone, Jeanne here with the post I planned to write last month. I hope it’s worth the wait! In the past ten years, I have had people ranging from family members to coworkers to people I’ve just met comment on my peaceful nature.... Continue reading

Hello, Jeanne here. Due to unforeseen circumstances (is it September ALREADY??) I have not written a new post for today, but I have an old message to share with a new audience. It was written to someone I love, but it applies in many ways to far too many people.... Continue reading

Jeanne here: A couple years ago, my family adopted a mixed breed dog from a rescue organization. Tasha is a friendly, playful, goofy dog. She’s a good companion, but she’s no working dog. She isn’t particularly fast or strong or smart or protective, and she has zero interest in retrieving.... Continue reading

Greetings dear readers, this is Jeanne. I want to apologize for not identifying myself in previous posts, and I have a confession. When Lynn asked me to contribute to her blog, I was really nervous! I feel this is a sacred community and I don’t want to harm it in... Continue reading

When I was in high school, my mother signed me up to teach a Christian education class to first graders. The church provided a curriculum, a classroom, and a roster of students. The first day of class I took attendance and began to teach the first lesson. Almost immediately, one... Continue reading

One morning a few weeks ago, I was reading through the gospel of Matthew, as I have done many times before, when a verse stopped me in my tracks. It’s in chapter 10, when Jesus sends out his 12 disciples. He gives them authority to cast out demons and heal... Continue reading