Knickknacks, bric-a-brac, gewgaw—whatever name you want to give it, it all serves the same purpose: nothing. Well, except for dust-collecting, I suppose. Okay, maybe that’s a bit harsh. If you’re a collector of knickknacks, I apologize. I’m sure they’re lovely. But you must admit, they don’t do anything but sit there looking pretty, taking up … Continue reading Faith That Works, Love That Labors, and Hope That Endures
Author: Cindy Matson
Four Reasons Scripture Memory Might Just Be My Favorite Spiritual Discipline
I know you probably think that I’m bananas for claiming to like memorizing Scripture. And yes, I am more than a little bit nerdy. I admit that. But hiding God’s Words in my heart isn’t about having an outlet for my nerdy tendencies. Like exercise, Scripture memory is always work. And most of the time … Continue reading Four Reasons Scripture Memory Might Just Be My Favorite Spiritual Discipline
God’s Mercy Means There Are No Hopeless Cases
Do you feel hopeless today? The Respect for Marriage Act. Mid-term election results. Orwellian rhetoric from politicians. Animated movies openly advocating for what God calls abominable. Everywhere we turn, our culture is headed in the wrong direction. Perhaps you’re still praying for our nation, praying for revival, but maybe it feels hopeless. I must admit … Continue reading God’s Mercy Means There Are No Hopeless Cases
When Faithful Obedience Feels Futile
“Why do we need to wash the dishes? They’re just going to get dirty again anyway.” Perhaps your kids have asked you this. I remember making the query to my mom in my younger days (probably on a night I was supposed to wash dishes). Of course, we understand that what feels pointless to a … Continue reading When Faithful Obedience Feels Futile
Don’t Settle for Change That’s Only Skin-Deep
Did you make any goals for 2023? Statistically, the answer to that question is probably no. According to statista.com, less than 25% of Americans made resolutions in 2022.1And even if you did make a goal for 2023, statistics (and experience) tell us about 9 out of 10 people will fail anyway2. No wonder so many … Continue reading Don’t Settle for Change That’s Only Skin-Deep
Favorite Books of the Second Half of 2022
Heaven Rules by Nancy DeMoss WolgemuthWhat I appreciated about this book is how much heart was behind it. Wolgemuth did not write this book because a publisher asked her to or because it was time to pump out another one. She wrote it out of the overflow what God did in her own heart. We … Continue reading Favorite Books of the Second Half of 2022
The Baby Who Turned the World Upside-Down
April 29, 2019. Tell me you remember that day. I will never forget it as long as I live. It’s tattooed on my memory. After all, it was the day the world turned upside-down. Or, to be more specific, it was the day my world turned upside-down: the day I gave birth to my first … Continue reading The Baby Who Turned the World Upside-Down
Feet That Don’t Slip
They had to be helped up to the platform to speak, could not stand for long periods of time, suffered from debilitating illness and injury; from all outward appearances, these women are unsteady on their feet, generally infirmed, and near the end of their lives. However, as I listened to Joni Eareckson Tada, Kay Arthur, … Continue reading Feet That Don’t Slip
Zeal Doomed to Fail
James Bond, Jack Bauer, and Jason Bourne have got nothing on him. He had a license to kill, and he most certainly knew how to use it. He connived to assassinate two kings, the queen mum, the royal family, and an entire religion. And he managed rule as king himself for nearly three decades. His … Continue reading Zeal Doomed to Fail
How Am I Supposed to Pray When I Don’t Feel Grateful?
Feelings of ingratitude are bound to trap us at some point during this holiday season. An unpleasant memory, another snow storm, the stress of holiday shopping, the pressure of preparing the perfect holiday meal, tensions between family members, bickering between siblings, an undercooked or overcooked turkey, pies eaten by a mischievous puppy, or any other … Continue reading How Am I Supposed to Pray When I Don’t Feel Grateful?