When I was growing up in my mother’s home, one of her regular sayings was, “It’s nice to be nice because God does not like ugly.” In Galatians, Scripture reminds us: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” The passage continues, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucifie...  Read More

As I sat in my dining room finishing a wonderful meal my husband had prepared for us . My mind went back 30 years ago when we were asked to entertain a top evangelist in our home in Mpls, because the person that had been invited to her home for dinner, but she was called away by her pastor to pray for someone in the  church. This was not unusual for her being called away doing ministry work. I sai...  Read More

Living in the real world means facing challenges, hearing different viewpoints, and learning to respond with faith, humility, and discernment. Remember, there are hard times that we must go through, but as we hold fast to the Word of God, He will keep us on His path as we journey through this life. And as we allow God’s process in our lives, we can fulfill His plans for us. So, how do we handle th...  Read More

I remember attending North Central Bible University in Minneapolis in 1975 and hearing a professor teach something different from what Pastor Smith had taught. I couldn’t wait to leave class and tell my husband what the professor had said because I felt confused. My husband helped me understand that the professor was presenting another way of thinking about the subject. That experience reminded me...  Read More

As a teenager, I often daydreamed about my future—the life I would build, the family I would have, and the person I would become. I knew I was not the only dreamer among my friends. Over time, however, I began to understand that life extended beyond the safety of my mother’s home. Challenges would come because we live in the real world, and I had to learn that my response to difficulty was often m...  Read More

The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, celebrates the birth of American independence from the British Empire. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. During our 250th birthday year, Americans continue to celebrate this milestone of freedom with festivities like ...  Read More