Bible Study

By Melissa McLaughlin   After waking and walking to the kitchen, I stood in reverent silence. A winter wonderland dazzled my eyes. Snow draped the branches in our backyard like a bridal veil. Fluffy whiteness clung to ... read more

By Melissa McLaughlin   A Baby is Born After a difficult pregnancy and stressful delivery, my first daughter was born. Vivid memories still flash through my mind. Her tiny cry, her delicate features, her velvety skin. We waited so ... read more

By Melissa McLaughlin   I reached into the mailbox. Bills, cards, and sales flyers overflowed. As I walked into the house, my hands flipped through the holiday sales circulars. Dazzling images of discounted door-busters caught my ... read more

By Melissa McLaughlin   Do Not Fear   A hurried knock brought him to his feet. My husband opened the door.   With a grim face and sober voice, our neighbor said, “Tom, your wife is alive, but she was in a ... read more

            By Melissa McLaughlin   The Creator God The sky sparkled like a crystal-clear lake. Crisp air filled my lungs. The smell of fallen leaves and autumn earth drifted all ... read more

By Melissa McLaughlin   Horns honked, and tempers flared. We were stuck in traffic heading to a holiday parade in a large city. Our car inched along the highway with miles to go. I peered through the window at the other motorists. ... read more

By Melissa McLaughlin   At age nine, a power failure felt more like an adventure than an annoyance. When the power went out and the house grew dark, my parents lit an antique oil lamp, a small family heirloom from my grandparents. The ... read more

By Melissa McLaughlin   After a long day of chores and yard work, my husband and I flopped down outside on patio chairs. We relaxed there on the porch, with two glasses of ice water on the table nearby. Cool evening air brushed our faces. ... read more

By Melissa McLaughlin   Our eyes gazed at the crackling flames. Cool evening air filled our lungs. A stony fire pit encircled the flickering light against the inky night sky. Our arms stretched toward the hot coals. Bending low, we ... read more

By Melissa McLaughlin   Growing up, I remember hearing the phrase, “that’s the end of the line for you.” Perhaps as my parents hosed down a bees' nest from our front porch. Or when I swatted a pesky mosquito, ... read more

By Melissa McLaughlin     I remember the day he placed it on my finger. We didn’t have a lot of money when we got married, but the riches of love overflowed our hearts’ bank accounts. My simple gold wedding band still ... read more

By Melissa McLaughlin A Visitor As my feet stepped down from the plane's stairway, a unique aroma of exotic spices and smoky charcoal fire greeted me. I had never smelled anything quite like that before.   My college friend had ... read more