Each generation must choose faith for themselves, and we have the sacred calling to make sure they’ve heard the story.I am a descendant of dairy farmers. Family lore says my great-great-grandfather was the first cheesemaker in central California, loading canal barges pulled by horses down to southern California.If you asked me to milk a cow [...]
Some Bible passages are hard to talk about — especially when they’ve been used to shame or silence. As a pastor, I’ve spent time with 1 Cor. 11, listening to women’s stories and wrestling with the text myself. What I’ve discovered is surprising: a message about dignity and agency that’s easy to miss without understanding the [...]
As a parent to two kids, both of whom are now teens, it has always been my priority to help develop my kids’ character. A strong Christian character — taught and modeled to kids — helps them learn self-discipline and personal growth and is the foundation for their future success and well-being. Parents, we know that [...]
Have you ever lost a book or piece of paper in your house? You search and search for it, but just can’t find it so you finally give up. Then one day you are cleaning a shelf or under furniture, and there it is. However, now that piece of paper is covered in dust. You have [...]
Good books have a way of finding us when we need them most, offering reassurance, fresh spiritual insight and even unexpected friendships.Several years ago, when tragedy struck our home and we were buried in grief, our pastor, recalling her own seasons of sorrow, recommended reading the Gethsemane chapter in The Desire of Ages.The words on [...]
Amid the noise and chaos of daily life, it can be hard to know when to speak up and when to stay silent. Sometimes, a single question or action can reveal the power of your voice. This story isn’t just about military training or personal mistakes. It’s about discovering how to find your voice amid [...]
"'And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams'" (Acts 2:17, quoting Joel 2:28).Acts 2:17 has a tantalizing attraction for [...]
Our modern world loves the idea of a DIY — Do It Yourself — project. Many YouTube tutorials, Pinterest ideas and TikTok videos show you how to do projects yourself. Many of them are very helpful and allow a novice the opportunity to attempt a project on their own. This can help save time and [...]
"Where there is love, there is courage." — Louise PennyReflect for a moment on the initial stirrings of romantic attraction. With that awakening, a potent mix of exhilarating excitement, unsettling fear and wide-eyed wonder likely surged. Remember the butterflies and the nervous energy that felt both thrilling and terrifying? Can you still recall those feelings?For [...]
Parenting is hard, right? I’ve shared that multiple times over the last few years. However, it’s truly one of the most important jobs in the world. In therapy this month, I am learning how not to be a “personal assistant” to my children. That isn’t helping them or me. Wearing so many hats — doing [...]
