There are times when we find ourselves in seasons we might describe as desert-like.  In these times, our hearts feel spiritually dry, and life feels intense, oppressive, and lonely.  It is in these spiritual deserts that we often ask questions like, “Where are you, God? Why is this happening?”  There is no relief in sight, and we wonder if we will ever be happy again.

The Christmas season is a time of hope as we look backward at our Savior’s first advent and forward to His second advent.  We press on because we believe He is coming again to renew and restore all things. 

When my kids were little, I started a habit with them at bedtime.  We called it “Three Thankful Things.”  Every night when I tucked them in, I would ask them to tell me three things they were thankful for that day.  Some nights naming thankful things came easy to them, and other nights they did it begrudgingly.  Either way, our goal was to teach them (and me) the spiritual discipline of giving thanks in all circumstances. (1 Thess.5:18)  

Lately, I have been in a season of distraction. It’s been a busy summer for our family with one daughter graduating from high school and our other daughter getting married, all within the span of 10 days. We have a few weeks to catch our breath and then we will move our youngest daughter to college 1,000 miles away. I have still been in the Word, doing my daily reading and regular “quiet time” routine in the morning, but my mind has not been as focused. I have been going thro

“Well, it’s true!” my daughter exclaimed emphatically. “Just because it’s true, doesn’t mean you need to say it,“ I replied. This was a repeated exchange in my house as we raised two girls who are only two years apart in age. As you can imagine, words and accusations flew around our house like flies around manu--, well, you get the idea. Sins of the tongue were a constant, and I often resorted to old school training measures, such as a dab of soap or hot sauce on the to