Three Reasons to Embrace Advent

Advent has arrived! Christmas hymns are being belted at church (we sure belted out “Joy to the World” at our church this Sunday), and the word Advent is being slung around far and wide. But why should we observe Advent? Isn’t it a little outdated? Here are three reasons to embrace the tradition of Advent…

Read More...

Have You Been Wondering What Advent Is?

Read More...

My Advent Devotional, Awaiting the Manger, is half off!

  Do you have your Advent book for this year? This is a great time to pick up Awaiting the Manger! Sit at Jesus’s feet this season and see His love as it shines throughout the Old Testament! You’ll be encouraged by Leah’s story of rejection that turns to praise, by the Hannah’s story of…

Read More...

Fight to Rest: Hope in Rough Times

Sometimes it feels like one thing goes wrong after another after another. Over the past few years big events like a constant battle with finances, my sweet boy being diagnosed with diabetes, the constant heavy challenge of dealing with depressed family members … oh, these sting, deep inner pain. And these “big” things use up…

Read More...

He Knows My Name

To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (John 10:3 ESV) When I was a child, kids in school called me a really mean name, “Ocie Cow.” It became my identity, and I hated it–hated myself. But Jesus never called me…

Read More...

The Battle for My Family: A Strategy that’s Helping

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10 ESV) I’ve been thinking about how the thief comes after my family. He rails against our peace and joy and love. He hates when my kids rest in Christ. He despises for us to live securely…

Read More...

I Was On TV!

Here’s the link to the video and the online print story. What a day! One of those days you can only give credit to God’s providential hand. I stayed home from church with my son, which worked out fine because for some reason, I was really tired. Our car broke down the other day, which meant…

Read More...

When God Seems Far Away

Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan. Ps. 55:1-2   Even though I know God is faithful, and I know he’s loved me through the hills and valleys so far, and…

Read More...

Do You Love Me That Much? Really?

“You’re here.” My voice cracked. It was almost unbelievable—this earthly reunion brought about by my death. I thought death only brought heavenly reunions. ~from Love Like There’s No Tomorrow It boggles my mind to fathom all the amazing ways God has blessed me since the cardiac arrest tried to steal my forever breaths. Friday evening gray…

Read More...

Love in the Midst of a Poopy Day

Have you ever had a day like this? Overslept. Didn’t accomplish what I wanted. Things in the house broke. My phone kept sticking and not letting me type. ARGH! Drivers on the rainy roads drove crazy (that may have been because of my grumpy mood). I basically flailed on the edge of losing it all day long….

Read More...

Books by Ocieanna