(Before reading this blog post, please scroll down to the bottom of the page and pause the music.) “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!Job 19:25-27 (NLT)Our family gathered under … [Read more...] about Seventy-One Balloons
Encouragement
Character in the Shadows
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of … [Read more...] about Character in the Shadows
The Power of a Song
"Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. " Psalm 98:1 (NIV)Music was huge in our family growing up. Nicol and Todd, my siblings, have made careers singing professionally. My baby brother, Jack, is a music minister at a church up in Michigan. I sang with the family until I was … [Read more...] about The Power of a Song
Time Flies
"Sons [and daughters] are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him." Psalm 127:3 (NIV)I forced myself out of bed at the sound of Rob's urging this morning, realizing that my summer schedule was over. Today was a big day--I am officially the mother of a middle schooler! Tell me it isn't so. I can't be old enough to have a child in sixth grade, can I? Then I went over to the … [Read more...] about Time Flies
Thundering Heaven on Our Knees
"So it is with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."John 16:22-23 (NIV)One year after our arrival in the Congo in 1978, my parents started the first of three Bible colleges on our mission station of … [Read more...] about Thundering Heaven on Our Knees
Laughing at Fear
I kept hearing a voice calling to me, but I couldn't make out who it was that was saying my name repeatedly. I turned over in my dream and was instantly awake. I realized that the voice in the darkness was my roommate's terrified whisper. "Shawn...Shawn...Shawwwwnnnn..." I groggily answered her with a sleepy, "What's the matter, Cindy?" "Don't you hear that "ping" … [Read more...] about Laughing at Fear
