Growing up with old school parents often meant living by strict rules and stern commands. Phrases like, "I talk. You listen," and "I wish you would try to walk out that door," were common, leaving little room for negotiation or personal choice. Many of you can relate to this upbringing, and some might even long for its return in today's world. However, there exists a different approach to authority, one that inspires and uplifts rather than controls and confines. Today's devotion delves into a different view of authority …

No one enjoys facing challenges, especially when they appear out of nowhere and disrupt our lives. Whether it's an unforeseen error or just the natural course of events, troubles often strike at the worst possible moments. While these obstacles are an inevitable part of life, we frequently find it difficult to navigate through them. However, one powerful way to gain perspective is to recognize that many problems arise from the positives we experienced before or the growth we achieve afterward. Today's devotion delves into embracing humility during times of trouble, offering a fresh and uplifting outlook on overcoming life's hurdles …

Juneteenth marks the celebration of slavery ending in the United States. When observing this date, one might look at the obvious link between freedom from slavery and freedom from sin through Christ. While that is indeed true, the story of Christ and the slave community goes far deeper than that …

Change is an inevitable part of life that touches everything from music and technology to exercise and marriage. It's a dynamic force that nothing can escape. While many of us resist or even fear change, it's widely accepted as a natural element of our existence, with some even embracing it eagerly. Amidst all this flux, we often look to constants for comfort, and many find that in God’s word, which is seen as unchanging. But is it truly immune to change? That's what today's devotion is about ... change

I loved a song in my youth titled ‘Get The Balance Right.’ As with most dance tunes, you never really understand the words until you get older. Then you fully understand its intent. We all struggle at finding the right balance. Whether as simple as tires on a car or a tough conversation with a loved one, finding the right balance is a challenge. Today’s devotion tackles that issue with the goal of hoping you too can strike the right balance …

I am a person who thrives in the summer. The warmth, the sunlit beach vacations, with family - these are the moments I cherish. Yet, January’s cold, dreary days feel like a stark contrast, especially as the festive cheer of the holidays fades into a quiet solitude, which can linger even when we’re not physically one. Today’s devotion offers a gentle reminder that even in our moments of solitude, we are never truly alone …

The adage "Practice makes perfect" has been a common refrain over time, but it has evolved into "Practice makes permanent," emphasizing consistency over perfection. This concept applies to all aspects of life, including our journey of faith. Mastery doesn't come without its share of missteps. Yet, by diligently practicing the correct principles, we aspire to achieve the desired outcomes. Today's devotional might not resonate with those who seek flawlessness or constancy, but for those eager for spiritual growth, it's precisely tailored.

The pursuit of tranquility in the midst of life's tumult can be a formidable challenge. Attaining serenity is a complex task, even when external clamor subsides. Yet, some individuals manage to embrace calmness amidst turmoil. This state of peace is not readily accessible; it demands consistent practice and dedication to master. Today's devotion is to guide you toward discovering that elusive form of inner peace …

In our youth, the prospect of parental discipline loomed large, yet it was the undercurrent of respect that truly shaped us. This respect fostered a unique acceptance for our parents' guidance, unlike any other. Coupled with the warmth of love, it begs the question: Are respect and love truly opposites, or do they intertwine? Today's devotion challenges us to explore the interplay between love, fear, and respect, and the answer might surprise you …

I loved playing the guessing game with my children when they were younger. They would get so excited trying to figure out what my wife or I were hinting toward. But as they grew up, they became less excited about guessing and always wanted to know. God has plans for us, but they are not always easy to figure out. However, there is a way to know, and that's what today's devotion is about: how to know what God wants.

As we get to springtime, we know construction season is upon us. Roads need repair and in some cases must be closed entirely. This requires some sort of detour. In those case, it may provide a mild inconvenience. Other times, it can be quite substantial. In life, there are also times when you are thrown off your route. How would you respond? What might be an inconvenience may in reality might be an opportunity. Today’s devotion is about one such story where a major detour changed history …

We were all given rights. Some of us may have been greater advantages in comparison to others. I know my youngest daughter had lots of things that my oldest one did not. There are times I wonder if she truly understands just how much she got. Today’s devotion resembles that spirt in that there is something we have that we take for granted …

Rage does not sound good. It feels out of control and almost like an out of body experience. No one wants to experience that. However, what if it was not like that at all? What if this rage was controlled? Furthermore, what if it was in response to something to help us survive? Today’s devotion is about one of those instances where rage in fact is a good thing.

When growing up, we all had experiences when we did something and one of our parents looked at us and simply said, “That’s not good enough.” We often walked away frustrated mumbling to ourselves about how unrealistic an expectation they had. Of course, we always did more, and eventually, they were satisfied. How often do we hear that in our head today? Not those situations where we only have time to do so much, but when we do something and deep down know it was not enough? Here’s a story about when we are not doing enough and what to do about it …

Have you ever thought you had a clear understanding of something years ago only to have an entirely different view when you looked at it again? I once had a friend tell me the phrase ‘dually noted’ was correct until an English major corrected me to say, ‘duly noted.’ As we get older, life gets more complex not because we do not understand things. It’s because we do that challenges the way we used to think. That’s what growing is, and today’s devotion is about just that … growing …

Are there situations that always have you frustrated and upset? As a parent, it happens to me frequently. However, there is a balance I have found that keeps me calm even under the most trying of circumstances. This does not mean that I never get upset. It does mean there is something that kicks in when my buttons are pushed to help center my emotions. Today is about building that ‘something’ to keep anger from ruining things …

As a child, I was often reminded of how my behavior was not just reflective of me. It would frustrate me noting how can my actions have some bearing on her. I did it. Not her. But as I got older, I began to understand what bearing my actions had because as a parent, you know what you teach your child and the expectations you set. Today’s devotion is about how our actions and words have bearing on who Christ is in the world and even more importantly who we are …

We all have bad days. Some are worse than others and sometimes, bad days become bad weeks. You can seemingly find no good in it. However, we should always remember that the night is always darkest before dawn. Today’s devotion should remind us that there is always a dawn coming …

When we were children, we were often inquisitive about things. Why is the sky blue? Where do babies come from? When can I drive? Those are some of the common things we might ask. My father was a different kind of Dad. He almost never gave me an answer. He would simply say, “You figure it out.” It was frustrating back then. But oh, what a difference maturity makes. There are lots of things that we end up having to figure out. Today’s devotion is about one of those times, and shows how Jesus too has those father-like instincts when teaching us …

We will see things happening around us and that are often enough to bring us to tears. A sudden death of a child, a couple going through a divorce, and harmful words said that are hurtful all can create a feeling of sadness that literally break our hearts. The truth is that as Christ followers, this is not as they say a problem. It is a feature. Today’s devotion explains why …