A Holy Week Remembrance

A Holy Week Remembrance

By Melissa McLaughlin As children, we anticipated each holiday with barely contained joy. We asked “how much longer” and counted the days. We reminisced about previous years’ events and dreamed of once-a-year foods, family gatherings, gifts, and celebrations and music at church. Now that I am an adult (with the passing of many years), holidays—or … Read more

How Dark Was the Night Jesus Endured

How Dark Was the Night Jesus Endured

By Melissa McLaughlin Darkness descended. Lightning streaked like flames across the sky. Thunder shook the house. The wind whipped in fury. Soon golf ball-sized hail pelted the house. So, my husband and I gathered our newborn daughter and rushed to the basement. We had never experienced a tornado in our region, but knew the telltale … Read more

What does it mean that Satan has no claim on me?

What does it mean that Satan has no claim on me?

By Melissa McLaughlin “It’s mine!” he claimed. “No, it’s mine!” she retorted. With hands pulling, muscles straining, and teeth clenching, a tug of war ensued. As an elementary school teacher, recess often included resolving ownership disputes. With a little detective work, I would determine the rightful owner, request apologies, and redirect students to neutral playground … Read more

What does Aaron’s rod that budded represent?

What does Aaron's Rod that budded represent? Numbers 17

By Melissa McLaughlin As frigid winter temperatures released their grip on the earth, my young eyes scanned our yard for springtime buds. Among the first signs of the new season were pussy willows. Each year in March, my mom cut branches to create a spriggy springtime bouquet for our table. My small fingers stroked the … Read more

The Oil of Joy for Mourning

The Oil of Joy for Mourning

By Melissa McLaughlin The antique table glistened in the morning light. The sun beamed through the living room window, spotlighting this treasured piece of furniture in golden radiance. The old kidney-shaped table rests near the picture window in my parents’ home. The gently curving legs and warm wood finish bring a simple grace to the … Read more

What Does “Everlasting Father” Mean?

What does Everlasting Father mean

By Melissa McLaughlin Her fingers gripped the handlebars, and her feet thrust down on the pedals. With eyes focused in deep concentration, she poured her full strength into the task. It seems like yesterday our children learned to ride a two-wheeled bike. When each child was ready, my husband removed the training wheels. With one … Read more

What Does “Wonderful Counselor” Mean?

What does Wonderful Counselor mean?

By Melissa McLaughlin Their soft faces glowed, and small fingers pointed. Delighted squeals echoed in our car as we drove through the night. “Look at that house!” “Over here’s another one!” I remember the awe our children expressed each year as lights twinkled in the windows, and Christmas carols hummed over the hustle and bustle. … Read more

4 Elements of Contentment in Christ

4 Elements of Contentment in Christ

By Melissa McLaughlin My stomach lurched as I listened. My friend, Cindy, had called with an update. Her voice trembled. She faltered, “The doctors discovered I have stage 4 cancer. I am stunned. I had no red flags. No early symptoms.” Hot tears streamed down my cheeks. I choked out the few words I could … Read more

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

Jesus Isn’t Finished

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

God Blesses You With His Name

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

When days are cold, Jesus is near

When days are cold, Jesus is close

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

What do you think about the Messiah? Psalm 110

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

What is the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) in the Bible?

what is the feast of tabernacles (sukkoth) in the bible

By Melissa McLaughlin The Feast of Tabernacles is the last of three fall feasts appointed and initiated by God in the Old Testament. The Feast (or Festival) of Tabernacles is also referred to as: The Feast of Booths / Ingathering / Shelters or in Hebrew “Sukkot”. The word Sukkot is the plural form of “sukkah” … Read more

How to Read and Understand the Bible – 4 Simple Tips

How to Read and Understand the Bible 4 Simple Tips

By Melissa McLaughlin One of my favorite summertime joys is seeing flowers arrayed in their colorful, radiant glory. My parents have the most amazing bush that blooms each year during mid-summer months. Every evening at dusk several blossoms on the Evening Primrose burst open and fully expand within about 45 seconds. First we stand back … Read more

A Call to Fast and Pray – 3 Ways to Fast

A Call to Fast and Pray - 3 Ways to Pray

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

Poem: In the Garden of Gethsemane

Christian Poem In the Garden of Gethsemane

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

Gentleness: Christ on Display in our Every Day

Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness. Power under God's control

By Melissa McLaughlin Have you ever stepped into an emotional or relational landmine? Suddenly a passing comment or simple exchange takes on a wartime feel and you find yourself dodging verbal bullets, seemingly out of nowhere. At moments like these, our souls long for a touch of gentleness. A remembrance that we are only human, … Read more

How I Became a Christian

How I Became a Christian

By Melissa McLaughlin Ever heard one of those remarkable testimonies of someone whose life was dramatically changed after they became a Christian? I get so excited to hear about God’s mighty hand moving in people’s lives. For many years, I felt my experience following Christ lacked the pizzazz that marked other’s journeys. But this is … 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

How Can I Experience the Peace of God?

how can i experience the peace of god 7 ways

By Melissa McLaughlin We’ve all been there. That moment when anxiety, doubt or fear grips our heart with paralyzing force. As if the jaws of death are closing in, crushing our breath, imprisoning our thoughts, consuming our whole being. Unfortunately, even in those rare moments when our personal lives appear to be quietly coasting along, … Read more