See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 “You know, I’m Mom’s favorite.” “Did you know Dad said I was his favorite child?” I say similar things to my three siblings all the time. Sometimes we will hack Mom’s Facebook or add comments to a post, stating that we are the favorite child. We do this with our cousins also. We say things like: “Since Susie is my favorite cousin….,” or “Did you know Danny said…

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 Fear of the uncertain can keep us from achieving great things. For example: You might stay in a job you hate because you are afraid to take the plunge and try something new. Maybe you are afraid of failure. You might avoid traveling for fear of being away from your comfort zone or anxiety about the unknown. You might avoid going to the doctor because you don’t want…

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 Wow, this past season has been so full and, I am glad it has passed. Days and weeks on end brimming with activity have pulled us past our places of comfort. It was a very busy season. The lazy day’s of summer has now ushered in slow evenings on the deck spent enjoying the cricket’s songs and the comfortable company of solitude. My husband and I were making plans for the upcoming weekend when we realized we had no obligations to deal with, and…

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a hard season of life and wanted to give up? Perhaps you’re slogging through one today. Or maybe a hard season looms on the horizon? Hard is a season. I knew I was about to embark upon a hard season earlier this year. I had prepared myself to go through it. It had a beginning and an end, and I knew I would have to rely on God to get me through it. I would…

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 (ESV) When I was pregnant with our first child, we talked a lot about what he might look like. We joked about hoping he did not inherit his grandfather’s hairline and prayed he would have his dad’s brains and my sense of humor. One of the first pictures we took of Kyle was this one: This is three generations of Hampton’s. As you can see, there is no denying Kyle is his father’s son, and Richard is his father’s son. The Man – The Myth – The…

She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25 (NIV) August 15th is the day I have been dreading for some time now. It also the day I have spent the past 18 years preparing for. The countdown is on, only two and a half months until our youngest son leaves for college. Will I stand by the car, turn around one last time, wave bravely to him, and laugh without fear of the future? Will my face show strength and confidence in his choice to live so far from home? Or will I crumble under the uncertainty of the future? Women…

The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand. Psalm 121:5 (NIV) Time after time I tried to find the perfect job. I dreamed about a position in Corporate America that would be the most beneficial to me and my family. Dreams of success and promotions skirted in and out of my mind. I hungered for the accolades of acceptance the world so readily lavishes on those who climb the ladder of success. What I got instead was door after door slammed in my face. Failure and rejections can cause us to question our faith. Was I praying hard enough? Had I accepted a position…