Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 5:16-19The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ. . . .— 2 Corinthians 5:17I’ve spent a lot of time in conversations with people who are holding on to shame, anger, or deep disappointment over things they ca
Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:13-14Forgetting what is behind . . . I press on toward the goal. . . .— Philippians 3:13I remember cleaning out the garage one spring, determined to get rid of clutter. As I opened old boxes, I found items tied to painful memories—things I had held on to “just in ca
Scripture Reading — Romans 12:1-2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.— Romans 12:2There was a time in my life when I thought change had to begin by starting new routines, meeting new people, setting new goals, and so on. But no matter what I t
Scripture Reading — Lamentations 3:22–23His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.— Lamentations 3:22–23One of the most comforting things I have come to cherish is the rhythm of mornings. No matter how chaotic or discouraging the previous day was, the sun sti
Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:22-24You were taught . . . to put off your old self . . . and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.— Ephesians 4:22-24There comes a time when carrying the baggage of our old life just weighs too much. I remember a season wh
Scripture Reading — Psalm 37:3-9Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will . . . make your righteous reward shine like the dawn. . . .— Psalm 37:5-6There’s something sacred about starting a journey—even more so when we commit it to the Lord. I remember a season when I launched into a new
Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:13-14Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal. . . .— Philippians 3:13-14It’s easy to get trapped in the past, isn’t it? We hold on to things we wish we could undo, replaying those moments in our minds again and again.
Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 5:17If anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here!— 2 Corinthians 5:17I have always loved the idea of starting fresh, shedding old habits or mindsets that no longer serve well. I remember the first time I truly felt like I
Scripture Reading — Isaiah 43:18-19“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! . . .”— Isaiah 43:18-19Change has a way of making us feel uneasy. It often comes with the uncertainty of the unknown and the discomfort of moving away from what we’ve always known. I
Scripture Reading — 1 John 1:1-4We proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.— 1 John 1:2After coming through the Christmas season, we stand today on the verge of a new year. In many homes Christmas decorations are coming down, and Christmas parties are over.
Scripture Reading — Luke 21:25-28“At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”— Luke 21:27The Christmas season looks back to the time when the Son of God first came to live among us and to bring us salvation. But this season has a forward-looking aspect as
Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:19-23, Luke 2:39-40When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.— Luke 2:39I like to have the Christmas season continue as long as possible. In our home we often keep our Christmas tree
