Yo-Yo Quilts, Hidden Pictures, and Fleas: Finding Beauty in Our Time
When I was a child, my parents used to take me to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for long afternoon visits. My Mennonite grandma would usually be sitting in her... Read More ›
When I was a child, my parents used to take me to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for long afternoon visits. My Mennonite grandma would usually be sitting in her... Read More ›
In sum, death has pointed its headlights at us and started its engine. Therefore, we must learn from God how to enjoy what he has given to us, knowing... Read More ›
Recently, at the end of a conference session where CJ and I fielded questions, a woman approached me with a query of her own: “So what do you do... Read More ›
I once talked to a woman who told me how she used to always be overwhelmed and unhappy as a mother. She was so burdened by the constant demands... Read More ›
To paraphrase the first magnificent answer of the Shorter Catechism: A mother’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. And it is interesting to note,... Read More ›
“That’s how God works. He gets at our most fundamental idolatry and He ruthlessly crushes it in His unfathomable love and fatherly kindness and inscrutable wisdom and He goes... Read More ›
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its... Read More ›
—from the archives To paraphrase the first magnificent answer of the Shorter Catechism: A mother’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. And isn’t it... Read More ›
Jane’s been having a tough time at work: I am a third grade teacher at a Christian school, and the past month has been difficult for me in my... Read More ›
In our new dining room hangs a large chalkboard. During the Christmas season we’ve had the words to the carol, “Joy to the World” written on the board. I’ve... Read More ›
Opening the door of our Advent calendar each day is one of Jack’s greatest delights of the Christmas season. His enthusiasm—“Mom, it’s only nine more days until Christmas!”—epitomizes children’s... Read More ›
The First Key by Nicole Whitacre What would make you happy this Christmas? What if I told you that you won a contest and someone was going to do... Read More ›
Recently when my granddaughter, Caly, heard a snippet from the great hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Blessing,” she firmly announced: “That’s Pop-Pop’s song!” Why does this little two-year-old think... Read More ›
There is nothing special about today. It is not a holiday. It’s not my birthday or wedding anniversary. I am not celebrating any particular milestone in my life. It’s... Read More ›
The blog Of First Importance boasts authors from Thomas Watson and Charles Spurgeon to JI Packer and Sinclair Ferguson. Every day, the owners of this blog post thoughts from... Read More ›
As we’ve been saying all week long, Christmas is full of wonderful gifts. And not just the ones residing underneath the tree. We experience gifts of family and friends.... Read More ›
Serving with communion is the fourth key to joy. All too often, I spend time with the Lord, reading His Word and praying, but then I rush into my... Read More ›
It’s that “most wonderful time of the year!” I try to start enjoying the festivities of Christmas as early as I possibly can. Christmas music began playing in our... Read More ›
I’m chiming in today to talk about another key for maintaining our Christmas joy, and keeping it all year ‘round. The second key is to consistently practice the spiritual... Read More ›
What would make you happy this Christmas? What if I told you that you won a contest and someone was going to do all your holiday cooking, cleaning, decorating,... Read More ›