Truthful Grace
Renew your heart with these inspiring articles by author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin~ Truthful Grace. Jesus is Lord!
By Melissa McLaughlin “That’s not how we play the game! You broke the rules,” he chided. “Who made you boss?” she glared back. As an elementary teacher, I witnessed countless arguments on the playground. Many of these clashes resulted from one child striving to rule over another or someone breaking an agreed-upon boundary. All too … Read more
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
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
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
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
By Melissa McLaughlin Unstoppable Power They have a power all their own. The patches of stubborn, unmelted snow still cling to the earth, gripping the edges of our souls with the frigid bite of winter. But there they are- unthwarted, unstoppable, undaunted. Up from the earth. Up from the shadows. Up from the seeming stillness … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Rock There it stood. Rugged, wild and immovable. Our family excursion to Maine brought us to the picturesque Pemaquid Point. We climbed along the rocky outcropping that stood firm against the onslaught of ocean waves. Though the waves rolled in, crashing with rhythmic force, yet the rock stood firm. We stood … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Gift of a Child How their innocent eyes twinkled with glee! I remember with such fondness, the days when my children were preschoolers and brought me gifts for Christmas. They rummaged through the toy box and selected a treasured gift to give. With little fingers, they wrapped the items in Kleenex … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Trumpet Sounds There is no music sweeter to a parent’s ears than that of their own child. All three of my children play musical instruments and it is a great blessing from God. From the first tap on the drum, to the ringing chords on the piano, to the rhythmic strum … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin A recent household repair necessitated the dreaded nightmare- cleaning the basement. Uggghhh! A massive chore that is avoided in our home at all costs! Nonetheless, the basement storage boxes were lugged upstairs and the tedious task of sorting, cleaning and decision-making began. My mind scaled a mountain of odds and ends. What … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin His footsteps fall softly in the olive grove Enveloped in verdant Garden fragrance The tender leaves, the stalwart trunks rooted and still, The young olive fruit swelling with sustenance A Garden pulsing with life Yet death casts its shadow there The earthy soil once wet with morning dew, Now soaked with the … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin When times are hard, when we’re stressed out, worried or down, there is nothing like a song to reset our internal compass. Music can help lift our eyes, minds and hearts, especially when those songs point us to Christ. He is our hope in life and in death. Songs with Christian lyrics … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Delicate trumpets Of sunshine yellow Heralding their Maker’s Joy! Making all things new The Creator And Re-Creator Of never-ending Beauty and grace Up from the grave He Lives! O come, Let us adore Him! Photo by Melissa McLaughlin Additional poems you might enjoy: All Things New – Poem by Melissa McLaughlin Song … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Soft pink petals Sing of a greater One Creator, Savior and King Wearing the thorns From the roses He made Jesus of You, they sing Photo by Melissa McLaughlin Additional poems you might enjoy: Vision of Red – Poem and prayer by Melissa McLaughlin He Lives – Poem by Melissa McLaughlin
By Melissa McLaughlin The Rock on which I stand Immovable Immeasurable Immortal Though darkness falls Though oceans roll Though terror calls With one breath He utters Peace. Be still. Creation bows His voice echoes What He says, Is. Be still my heart The Rock of ages Has spoken. Additional poems you might enjoy: Starry Night … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin All things made new Oh Lion and Lamb His once dead body Breathes again From dust to life From sorrow to peace His power unending His grace unleashed His justice rolls down His truth sets free His gentleness heals His mercy redeems Oh believer, yes, it’s true He who lives again Makes … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Have you ever had one of those days when things went from bad to worse? I recall the time we went camping only to discover, hour by hour, the items we forgot to pack. After setting up the tent, which always seemed to bring forth an argument about which pole goes where, … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Joy of Bread With all the diet fads out there, one diet I always try to avoid is the no-carb diet. Why? I love bread! You see, I have fond memories of bread. Growing up, I was blessed to be raised on my mom’s homemade bread. Not made with a bread … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin What Time is It? What time is it? Are we there yet? How much longer ’til we get there? I remember those days. How we carefully planned each long-awaited vacation. Our children were young, so we selected destinations that provided opportunities for robust outdoor playtime and old-fashioned family fun. We packed clothing, … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Fullness of God What do we do with a God who is both: loving and holy, Savior and Judge, One who comforts and convicts? This is difficult to answer. A quick cliche just won’t do. Interestingly, as I observe my own natural response to Biblical accounts of God’s character, I can’t … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Have you ever found yourself in an unexpected, unwanted situation and watched your mind and emotions spiral into a pit of ceaseless churning negativity? Have you ever prayed long and hard for something, only to witness that prayer go unanswered and as a result then began to question God’s goodness or God’s … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin New Life After a long, bitter winter even our bodies moan, yearning for spring. We wait for the sun’s strength to be emboldened. We breathe in deeply waiting for the smell of fresh earth. Daily we scour the brown frozen scenery for the smallest signs of new life. The snowdrop is the … Read more