Truthful Grace
Renew your heart with these inspiring articles about Following Christ by author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin~ Truthful Grace. Following Jesus is an exciting adventure.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
A Lifelong Pursuit of Christ As followers of Christ, we discover a journey that takes us through nourishing, green pastures, still waters of refreshment and at times, deep, dark valleys. Our Good Shepherd saves us, leads us, cares for us and loves us all along the way. Therefore, our greatest desire is to live for … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The End is in Sight I love a good hike. There’s nothing quite like breathing in the fresh air, feeling the sun on your face, hearing the steady rhythm of your feet, God’s green earth beneath you. The joy of the first step is almost as exuberant as the joy in the … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The gift of Christ The gift of Christ I take the stain of your sin… I cleanse you with the light of my mercy. I take the sting of death… I infuse you with the joy of life eternal. I defeat hell, Satan, evil… I award you with my glorious victory. I … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin A Gift of Faithfulness As part of my Mother’s Day gift this spring, my husband and children helped me plant a small deck garden using tubs, buckets and flower pots. Like any faithful gardener, they helped me place and cover the seeds in rich soil, then provided proper moisture and sunlight for … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The weight of sadness in this world with its division, hatred, animosity and harshness, at times feels like a heavy blanket of evil pressing against my soul. Every word spoken, seems to assume the worst and allows for no grace. Every news cast highlights the most destructive possible view of humanity. Every … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The first time I participated in a time of prayer and fasting was in high school. In order to raise awareness and raise money to fight world hunger, our church youth group organized a sleepover at the church that included a time of prayer and fasting. This afforded us the opportunity to … Read more
We are living in a time we could never have imagined. The world and its systems have come to a screeching halt. Businesses, schools, churches, activities, travel have all been put on hold. In a matter of weeks, the coronavirus pandemic turned the spotlight on the fragility of our lives. The simple truth of our limited time is exposed, in plain sight, glaringly visible. All of a sudden, we are faced square on with the undeniable truth that we are but human, mere dust of the earth.
With this new, yet longstanding reality taking center stage, may we pray with fresh awareness that only God is God. Truly, our tomorrows on this earth are not promised. Here is my prayer for the world at such a time as this.
By Melissa McLaughlin If we jump back in time just 300 hundred years or so, we find some miraculous events sweeping through the Christian church in the United States and Britain. A spiritual revival was breaking out, the likes of which had never been seen before. So powerful and widespread was this revival, that the … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin We all love a good story! I have an uncle who can tell a story like nobody’s business. Complete with animated facial expressions, exuberant gestures and winsome voice inflection. The listeners are always captivated and waiting for the punchline at the end. Jesus knew the power of a good story and used … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Close Communication Who is your closest friend? Our closest friends are typically those with whom we share our deepest aches, goofiest moments and most candid thoughts. We rest in their love for us knowing they will enjoy the high points, cry with us in the low points and gently but honestly correct … Read more
Are you a believer or a follower of Jesus Christ? What is a disciple? Does it matter? Can you believe in Jesus and go to heaven?
It’s time to leave. Leaving stirs up a jumble of feelings. Excitement and joy. Sadness and loss. At times we drag our feet when God calls us to leave. God calls us to leave our old life daily. Like it or not, we cannot remain spiritually stagnant. Either we are moving toward God or we are drifting away, because stagnancy allows the world, our own sin and Satan to pull us from God. And that they will. May we run to Jesus anew this day, for He is our treasure now and always.
When God closes a door, then what? Has God closed a door in your life? How should we respond? Read this Biblical example of how David responded when God closed a door in his life. May we rest in God’s sovereignty and goodness knowing He brings about changes for His glory and our good.
The God of Second Chances. Ever heard the New Testament story of Mark, also known as John Mark? He abandoned the missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas. Paul did not want to include John Mark on the next trip. But Barnabas did. When given a second chance, John Mark proves how his faith has grown. Read more about how God can redeem your mistakes. For He is a God of second chances!
What did Jesus really mean when he said these famous words, “Do not judge”? Is there a difference between judging and discerning? Do we turn a blind eye to evil and injustice?
Wait. No one likes to wait. What does it mean to wait on the LORD? Why does God make us wait? How do we seek God’s plan for our lives? How do we avoid putting our plans before God’s plans for us?
By Melissa McLaughlin Sometimes, a message of God’s hope is the only gift you can offer another person. Sometimes, this is the only gift we really need. Corrie Ten Boom’s Family Life One woman who has inspired multitudes with her message of hope in Christ is Corrie Ten Boom. Corrie was born in the Netherlands … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin New Growth Spring brings a variety of sweet memories from my past and heartwarming feelings of anticipation in the present. A fond memory from my childhood is that of my father starting seeds indoors in early spring. Sometimes in egg cartons, sometimes in small peat pots. The seeds would be carefully buried … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Collecting The good news? I am a minimalist. This means, I actually enjoy cleaning out and donating unused items, reducing clutter and simplifying my surroundings and life. For me, less is truly more. The bad news? I am surrounded by a long line of collectors. This means, most of my family actually … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Peace I invite you to pause for just a moment and allow these words of Jesus to wash over you: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Holding Loosely There it was in a tangled knot. My mother’s precious necklace. This was a sweet heirloom, the necklace my father had given her upon their engagement. She passed this graceful keepsake along to me as a young adult. Because my mother didn’t wear a lot of jewelry and because they … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Person Who Has Everything What do you get for the person who has everything? This is one of the big questions and sales gimmicks shoppers face during the holiday season. Each year it seems production and marketing companies get more and more creative in answering this call. Chia pets in every … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Memory of Love They were just ages five and three. My two sweet daughters were preschoolers and our days were filled with alphabet songs, Raggedy Ann stories and make-believe veterinarian hospitals with waiting rooms full of stuffed animals covered in Disney band-aids. Our son was not yet adopted, so it was just … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Faith in a Mother’s Love My eyes scanned the audience. There she was. Her soft gray hair and gentle smile radiating love toward all, but especially toward me, her daughter. I remember looking for her among the crowd. Though the kind faces of others were a sweet comfort, there was no face … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin “That’s wonderful!” people exclaimed when they heard we were taking a short-term family mission trip to Haiti. “What will you do there?” people asked with great enthusiasm. “Help with food, water, medical care, building homes?” “No, we are helping at a Music Camp that is held at North Haiti Christian University (UCNH).” … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Lord, make me a paperclip for You Not glamorous, not noticed, but oh, so useful Let me hold people together with my small strength Let me be bent into new shapes… So I can unlock doors in lives where the keys are now lost; So I can be the hook on the … Read more