Trusting God With Our Nation

In God We Trust

By Melissa McLaughlin Autumn leaves twirl to the ground signaling the curtain call. In that final moment before taking a bow, the withering foliage announces the close of one season. By God’s wondrous design, the fall leaves also prepare for the next as they release nourishment into the earth for future growth. If you live … Read more

Poem: Undiminished

Poem Undiminished

By Melissa McLaughlin God of eternity, Brilliance of heaven, Blazing shimmers of transcendent spark, Unrestrained flashes, swirling flames, eclipsing Northern lights. For time immemorial, Generation upon generation, Basked in celestial wonders of endless rippling, Yesterday, today, and a thousand tomorrows. You are untouched, Unmarred, Untarnished, By creaking bones, rusty corrosion, or decay’s malodorous stench. Undiminished … Read more

How Can We Be In the World But Not of It?

How Can We Be In the World but Not of it?

By Melissa McLaughlin Our eyes sparkled as his voice carried us along. Dad and Mom read bedtime stories to us during our early childhood years. We soaked up these tales of chocolate factories, children slipping through a wardrobe, and small hobbits on grand adventures. Dad and Mom were excellent readers who drew us into the … Read more

How Should Christians View the Law? Jesus & the Law (Part 1)

How Christians Should View the Law Jesus and 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

Who is this King of glory? Psalm 24

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

When it Doesn’t Make Sense

Where is God when it doesn't make sense?

By Melissa McLaughlin When the first dancing lights of summer lit up our backyard, shouts rang through the house! Lightning bugs, lightning bugs, lightning bugs! We foraged through the plastic containers to find just the right “lightning bug home”. We chased and scampered back and forth through the yard flinging our arms to capture just … Read more

The Power of a Name

what does the name I AM mean

By Melissa McLaughlin The Power of a Name “What should we name her?” came the expectant and reverent voices of my children. My daughter had discovered an abandoned kitten in my parents’ barn. Crying, wailing, calling for someone to rescue her. And rescue her we did! Immediately we began preparations for welcoming a new kitten … Read more