Melissa McLaughlin
Poem: Blooming and Releasing
By Melissa McLaughlin Blooming and Releasing My soul revives in spring glory. Earthy scents of wet soil Touch my nose in the puffy wind. Driving on highways Once barren and dark The world heard God’s call, “Out with the old, In with the new.” Buds, blooms, and blossoms awaken In rarest hues reserved for spring, … Read more
Rahab: The Scarlet Cord of Faith
By Melissa McLaughlin We Need a Hero Sometimes we need a hero. To be encouraged by someone who lives with fierce faith in God. To hear again a testimony that inspires. During my recent Bible reading, one such unlikely heroine caught my attention. Her name is Rahab. Her spirit bright with faith, Rahab threw herself … Read more
Jesus Isn’t Finished
By Melissa McLaughlin It is Finished The cross fades. The tomb lies empty. The Savior is alive! Glancing back, we reminisce and then peer ahead with new hope and strength. We remember the final moments of Jesus’ earthly ministry. As He drew His last breath, Jesus groaned, “It is finished.” It. Is. Finished. Three small … Read more
The Gospel – Easter Story with Candy
By Melissa McLaughlin The Sweetest Story Ever Told Are you looking for a fun way to retell the sweetest story ever told? The Gospel. The Good news. The Easter story. We want everyone to hear the story of Christ’s rescue mission to save us through His life, death, and resurrection! But maybe you’d like to … Read more
Can You Hear the Train’s Call?
By Melissa McLaughlin The Train’s Call Oftentimes in the evening, I can hear a train whistle in the distance. Though miles from our house, still the train’s horn floats over the air. After daytime noises have died down, the engine’s song echoes over hills and valleys, announcing its trek through the night. It reminds me … Read more
Poem: God’s love is like…
By Melissa McLaughlin God’s love is a rushing waterfall. Steadfast cleansing refreshing Carrying life onward and forever Unstoppable. God’s love is like downy snow. Effervescent, emanating light holy pure ever-fresh Endless design and delight. God’s love is a daffodil. Announcing life after winter’s cold death. Undaunted by nipping winds or packed earth. The dawning season … Read more
Love the Lord Your God
By Melissa McLaughlin Memories of Love My eyes welled up and a lump caught in my throat. While cleaning some piles of dusty books in the basement, my husband unearthed a few old photos of our children when they were young. I gazed at their tender faces, and recalled hearts of gold and smiles as … Read more
Doing the Small Things
By Melissa McLaughlin Doing the Small Thing The weekend was a blur. Hours flew by with fun-filled family visits, joyful birthday dinners, board games at the table, and life’s myriad details scattered in between. As my husband and I drove home from our last family event, I mentioned in passing that I ran out of … Read more
Prayer for the New Year
By Melissa McLaughlin Lord Jesus, as I welcome this new year – I welcome You. Come into my heart anew. Wash me, cleanse me, restore me. Holy Spirit, illuminate my soul’s sin-shadowed corners with Your radiant glory. Create in me a clean heart, O God. And renew a right spirit within me. Let this be … Read more
Starting the Year with Scripture
By Melissa McLaughlin A New Year in Christ Each year my goal is to deepen my relationship with Christ. When I think back to the place where my faith journey began, I am amazed to see how far God has brought me. From my earliest memories, I believed in God and felt His love for … Read more
What Kind of King?
By Melissa McLaughlin Have You Met the King? I never met our President. My tiny sphere of influence does not include the King or Queen of any country, for that matter. I’m just an ordinary person. But there is a King who knows my name. And I matter to His kingdom. In Isaiah 9:6-7 we … Read more
God Blesses You With His Name
By Melissa McLaughlin A New Name My eyes tear up as I remember that day. It seems like only yesterday we said, “I do.” I met my husband at church. Our tender friendship grew into a committed relationship and culminated in our marriage a few years later. We celebrated this sacred occasion with a worshipful … Read more
What is the Foundation for Your Life?
By Melissa McLaughlin A Good Foundation The moment we begin, we wonder how it will all turn out. Each year, around Thanksgiving, my family makes gingerbread houses. With painstaking care, my mom rolls, cuts, and bakes the gingerbread dough by hand. We use gumdrops, M&Ms, licorice, and our imaginations to decorate the houses. Mom’s recipe … Read more
Holding On to God’s Love Through the Pain
By Melissa McLaughlin Love Through the Pain Searing pain torched my back. Longstanding back issues, combined with the strain of age and use, resulted in physical agony that brought me to a complete halt. Following therapy, medication, treatments, and all manner of medical interventions, I found myself on the surgeon’s schedule for back surgery. And … Read more
Grateful as the Falling Leaves
By Melissa McLaughlin Grateful as the falling leaves Releasing their tiny grip In joyful abandon Tumbling free Following the wind’s touch Lighting darkened alleys With splashes of orange, red, yellow, and brown Piling high in gutters and ditches Filling the world with remembrance… What once was living, though now dead, is still moving Announcing God’s … Read more
Unexpected Blessings
By Melissa McLaughlin The Hunt I searched high and low to no avail. Where could it be? I had purchased a multipack box of disinfecting wipes earlier in the month for spot cleaning around the house. The first pack of wipes was used up. So during a recent cleaning frenzy, I rushed to grab the … Read more
3 Prayers of Repentance
By Melissa McLaughlin The Battle Not again! Months ago, I promised myself and God that I would stick to my new early morning plan. My morning goal is to sit down for prayer and Bible reading before even touching the phone, TV, or computer. That day, I only intended to check the weather, but instead, … Read more
The Lord is in This Place
By Melissa McLaughlin Seeing God With Us It was a simple thing. My husband and I paused for a brief rest. The daily grind of laundry, bills, cooking, and errands hemmed us in like hamsters on an exercise wheel. Despite running as hard as possible, the finish line appeared just out of reach. At one … Read more
Bearer of Christ’s Light
By Melissa McLaughlin Darkness looms. Heavy. Still. Shadowed. Whispered deceptions. Seething accusations. Cloaked lies swirling. “You are not loved. No one really cares. You are called by your failures, mistakes, sins.” Hope fading Despair eclipses. Encased now in shame’s blanket Darkness envelopes. A crack in the door of your heart. A golden shaft pierces through. … Read more
God’s Voice Resounds: Psalm 19
By Melissa McLaughlin Food for the Soul One bite is all it takes. Savoring a delicious meal is a simple pleasure in my life. The aromas, varied textures, and wonderful flavors bring delight. Even as I imagine a favorite dessert, my mouth begins to water. Taking a bite of apple pie is a little slice … Read more
Suffering for Christ
By Melissa McLaughlin Following Jesus We’ve all been there. There is a sting when we don’t fit in. Friends at school make plans for their party, but we don’t make the list. Co-workers overlook us during the lunch conversation. People give us that uncomfortable side-glance when we pray over meals. An unbeliever on social media … Read more
The Power of Short Prayers
By Melissa McLaughlin A Powerful Prayer in Song I woke that morning to a surprise from God. Just as my eyes opened a praise song popped into my head. Blessed be the name of the Lord ~by Don Moen I hadn’t heard this song in years. The music and lyrics echoed in my heart for … Read more
How God Blesses us with Dew
By Melissa McLaughlin A Morning View The scene took my breath away. I slipped downstairs to turn on the coffee and begin my day with quiet prayer. In early mornings my eyes are drawn to the windows for a quick peek outdoors. God’s amazing artistry always brightens my outlook. I anticipate the wonders He creates … Read more
Following God’s Call: Yvonne Morgan
Following God’s Call Interview with Yvonne Morgan Yvonne Morgan is a gifted Christian author and speaker who is also dear friend. Her life and faith have deeply inspired me. She uplifts others in big ways and small, through missions work, through writing, and through faith in action. Yvonne writes a weekly blog sharing authentic stories … Read more
Why Christians need to Endure
By Melissa McLaughlin Enduring to reach the goal It was not what we expected. With a list of errands in hand, we stopped at a nearby store planning to run in, grab an item or two and cruise on to the next destination. Eagerly, we gathered up the things we needed, perused a few clearance … Read more
One Year Closer
By Melissa McLaughlin One year gone. A new year awaits. Breathless with dazzling days high hopes and glimmers of grandeur. Never mind bent bodies and weary bones slower steps and wisdom from wasted days gone by. Though evil from without and within wages war on hearts leaning to the LORD Yet our eyes blaze bright … Read more
How Does God Define Love?
By Melissa McLaughlin The World’s Definition of Love I swayed to the rhythm and hummed along, “What’s love got to do with it? What’s love but a second-hand emotion?” Recently, while sitting in the waiting room at my doctor’s office, I listened to the lyrics of songs playing softly in the background. The repeating theme … Read more
His Eye is on the Sparrow
By Melissa McLaughlin A Grandmother’s Faith We called her Nanny. With a ready smile and sweet spirit she radiated an inner contentment, the peace that only God can provide. Nanny’s steadfast faith in Christ, despite illness and hardships, endeared her to me and all who knew her. It was a thrill whenever she came to … Read more
When days are cold, Jesus is near
By Melissa McLaughlin When Days are Cold The air stung my cheeks as we trudged along that winter day. An overcast sky shadowed our steps. A hint of snow whispered in the wind. We hiked this same trail just a few months earlier, our senses flooded with rich fall foliage, vivid colors and the scent … Read more
How Should Christians View the Law? New Testament Teaching (Part 2)
By Melissa McLaughlin I have observed many controversies surrounding Christianity and the Old Testament Law. In our previous discussion on this topic, we looked at How Should Christians View the Law? Jesus and the Law (Part 1). It is critical to consider the whole counsel of God, understanding the Bible as a whole. We will … Read more
How Should Christians View the Law? Jesus & the Law (Part 1)
By Melissa McLaughlin I have wondered about the tension between Christianity and the Old Testament Law for some time. I observe some Christians who live as if we have a license to sin because we are saved by grace and no longer under the Law. While on the other hand, I know some Christians who … Read more
Why Did God Save Us?
By Melissa McLaughlin Why Did God Save Us? Why did God save us? That’s easy. The answer rolls right off our tongues- because God loves us, of course! God sent Jesus because He desired to rescue us from hell and bring us to heaven. (John 3:16) Yes, it’s true, God loves us. Yet, scripture teaches … Read more
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
By Melissa McLaughlin Alone The accident should have taken my life. As each ominous moment unfolded, I called on the only name that can save. Jesus. I was alone in the car. Alone to witness what should have been my last breath. Alone to experience a miraculous rescue by God. Alone in the aftermath of … Read more
Do not worry… Consider the Lilies
By Melissa McLaughlin The Anxieties of Life With each passing day, it seems the weight of this world grows heavier. Turmoil and division on every side. The cost of living rising steadily. Empty shelves and help wanted signs. Concerns for health with varying and opposing viewpoints. Media, culture and entertainment in outright opposition to God’s … Read more
10 Scripture Blessings for Fathers
By Melissa McLaughlin An Umbrella of Love As a young married couple, sadness like a crushing wave swept over us when my father-in-law passed away before our first child was born. My husband described the loss of his dad like an umbrella of love and protection that was abruptly ripped away. When trudging through a … Read more
10 Scripture Blessings for Mothers
By Melissa McLaughlin How do you thank a mother? How do you thank someone who held you, nursed you and cared for you when you could not care for yourself? How do you thank a mother? No mother is ever perfect, of course. But a Godly mother’s love is strong, self-sacrificing and desires the best … Read more
The Resurrection Power of Jesus Christ
By Melissa McLaughlin A Resurrection Miracle I will never forget it. One summer afternoon, my husband and I were resting in the family room when I was startled by the sound of a man screaming. This was not a kid’s scream or the sound of someone joking around, but the sustained, piercing wail of sheer … Read more
What do you think about the Messiah? Psalm 110
By Melissa McLaughlin Reading the Bible can be positively life-changing. Imagine this, the Voice of Him who spoke us into existence is found in these pages. Is it any wonder we need His Word to live? The Bible contains God’s will, character, law, heart and His marvelous message of salvation in Christ. If we allow … Read more
Who is this King of glory? Psalm 24
By Melissa McLaughlin I stand amazed at the beauty of God’s Word, the Bible. God’s powerful plan of redemption in Christ echoes on and on. As we reflect on Psalm 24, the rich layers of God’s Word reverberate with His unchanging glory, truth and majesty. Let’s walk through this passage and ponder the wonders of … Read more