Why is it we can get all teary-eyed when we see two wonderful people pledge to love each other through good times and bad at a traditional wedding ceremony – with these famous last words, “For richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health” – yet somehow we often don’t translate those same vows to the relationship we are meant to have with our Bridegroom Jesus in our walk of faith?

When things go wrong, instead of sticking it out or standing up for our Beloved, we tend to blame, pull away, and throw in the towel. We think, Yes, Lord, I will follow You no matter what. But when sickness comes and stays for a prolonged season, we can often distance ourselves from the One who can truly help us. Read the rest of this entry »

God has a way of surprising us, doesn’t He?

Just when you think you know why He has called you to go somewhere and do a certain predetermined thing, God comes in with His own agenda. It can be arresting, certainly, especially for those of us who would consider ourselves planners. It also can be delightful – enough to bring tears of thanksgiving when we let God have His way with us.

I had one of those moments recently while attending the CLASS Christian Writers Conference out at the (Holy) Ghost Ranch, in Abiquiu, New Mexico, as a workshop leader and as one of the singers on the nightly worship team, led by the beautiful and talented Melodie Griffin. Read the rest of this entry »

I have been thinking a lot about Old Testament Abraham and his original call from God when he was called Abram. It’s written done in the book of Genesis chapter 12.

“The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1, NIV).

What follows is God’s famous promise to make Abraham into a great nation: what many biblical scholars refer to as the Abrahamic covenant.

Abraham’s response is simple: “So Abram left, as the LORD had told him . . . ” (Genesis 12:4, NIV).

When we read this Scripture passage, we can quickly forget that God left out a lot of details about Abram’s transition– that is, until we are facing our own call to a new land. Read the rest of this entry »

I was chatting with my sister yesterday evening by phone, and we got on the subject of God and faith and our relationship with the Lord. I was trying to encourage her during those times when we don’t know what God is doing in our lives. And somewhere in that conversation, the Lord ended up encouraging me.

For some reason, I thought about the prodigal son, that familiar parable we read about in the Bible. And I reminded my sister that though we as Christians know how all those Bible stories end, the folks who actually lived those stories had no clue how the road of faith would bend before them. They didn’t know how long they would have to wait for their breakthrough. Read the rest of this entry »

Even as you read this, I am probably heading over the top of your neighborhood, high in the clouds above on a big jet plane. Planes always make me think of eagles: strong and able to fly above the storms of life.

Maybe you are experiencing some turbulence right where you are. If it’s getting you down, remember that you need to turn those problems and worries over to the Lord. Problems sap your strength; trusting in the Lord renews it.

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV).

Have a safe landing wherever you are. Rest and peace are yours today in Christ Jesus.

– Laura J. Bagby

We spend much of our lives waiting, don’t we? Waiting for the mail. Waiting for our paycheck. Waiting for the school year to end. Waiting for the traffic light to change.

And just when we think all that waiting is over, we end up waiting again – this time for different things. I am not one who enjoys waiting. But if life consists largely of doing just that, I know it would benefit me to learn how to wait well. Read the rest of this entry »

Happy Columbus Day!

I forgot all about this holiday until I wondered why there was no mail in the mailbox and then a friend e-mailed me to remind me of the holiday. If I remember from school, we used to say, “Back in 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”

New discoveries. New voyages. New places. Read the rest of this entry »

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