Graciela Kessler: Discovering ‘I Am’
by Amber Weigand-Buckley Graciela Kessler spent 20 years journaling the names of God through cancer, burnout and a calling she tried to ignore. And when I sat down with her…
When Praying God’s Word Changes Everything
A surprising number of people are afraid to pray. They love God, but when it comes to talking to him, they freeze. They worry about praying “wrong,” stepping outside his will, or somehow offending him—as though God is scoring their performance. Out of fear, they offer him something he never asked for: prayerlessness. But prayerlessness is its own kind of silent treatment...
Reduce Me to Love: A Simple Prayer That Transformed My Ministry
God gently interrupted me with a question that pierced deeper than the pain. “Why do you do what you do?” The question stayed with me for weeks. But the Lord was inviting me to something greater. He wanted me to understand that ministry isn’t just built on gifts, platforms, or conferences. It’s built on loving his people.
The Gift That Can’t Stay Wrapped
A handful of songs on my stand-up bass for the Christmas Eve service. And our family of twenty for a week of food and fun. But as the calendar turned, my stress levels escalated as I tried to make each event perfect and memorable. In the years since then I have found that the greatest gift I can give others— prayer—is also one that keeps on giving . . . not only to them but also to me. As we surround the days ahead in prayer, we will find this spiritual gift has a lasting impact.
PUBLISHER’S LETTER: A Prayer of Blessing
By Linda Evans Shepherd Linda Evans Shepherd As I write to you, my Christmas tree is glowing softly in the corner— each light a tiny reminder of the miracle we…
The Gift that Can’t Stay Wrapped
My Christmas plans seemed doable. A hay wagon caroling party for our church. A gift-exchange dinner with friends. A speaking event for a women’s ministries brunch. A handful of songs…
The Prayer That Healed Broken Bones
I stepped onto the pavement and tried to swing my other foot free. As I stepped out, the gondola rocked wildly and the heavy car struck me square in the back of my rib cage and knocked me to the ground. Pain exploded through my back as muscle spasms seized me, leaving me unable to rise from the pavement. My family helped me up, but by the time I reached the ER, scans confirmed the worst: three broken ribs...
Everyday Esthers – How One Person Can Silence the Chaos
Our world feels topsy-turvy and our culture often makes little sense, but history shows us that individual actions can create powerful ripple effects, even in the darkest moments.
Lessons from Abigail Adams- Stress Throughout History
Doctors feared she might not live. Abigail survived and lived to 73, dying of typhoid fever. Today, we recognize that long-term stress suppresses the immune system through high adrenaline and cortisol levels.
A Story of Hope & Redemption
Born in India, Sioni immigrated to Costa Rica when she was five years old. Raised in poverty by alcoholic parents, she suffered harsh and frequent physical abuse, but it didn’t compare to the horrors of the sexual abuse that started after toddlerhood.