Friendship is Built on Sacrifice I want to talk about building a friendship today. But here’s the thing, long-lasting friendships don’t come easy. The best ones thrive when they’re built on sacrifice.  Looking to the Bible we see the example of Ruth and Naomi. They had one of the most powerful friendships in the Bible that was built on the foundation of sacrifice. After the death of their husbands, Naomi wanted to leave the land of Moab to live with her people. It was in Ruth’s best interest that Naomi go alone, but Ruth wouldn’t accept that. She insisted on going with her. Without a closer look at the underlying conflict between the…

In John chapter 17 we read how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane just hours before his death. What’s always struck me as interesting is the fact that unity was heavy upon His heart. In that one chapter alone, He appealed to the Father five times on our behalf asking for unity among believers. If you’ve ever wondered why unity is so important to Jesus, we find the answer in verse 21. Let’s read the verses surrounding it too: 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I…

Michael and I are unified on the big things in life like faith and family, but when it comes to the small things like food choices, hobbies, and bedtimes we tend to differ. I’d love to say that we go to bed at the same time every night. But the fact is that he loves going to bed early and I love going to bed late. He’ll be tucked into bed at 9:00 pm, even during those summer months when the sun is up until 10, whereas I enjoy walks in the moonlight and gazing at stars until the wee hours of the morning. Michael gets up at 5 am, and on weekends he…

It was Thursday night. 8:30 pm. School was starting up in just a couple of days and I was swamped with last minute to-dos. Graham needed new shoes, Nathaniel needed some jeans, and they all needed school supplies. Not just any school supplies, specific ones. You know–lined note books, 80 pages, not 40, not coil bound, with flexible covers. Fine-tip Sharpies, wide-tip Sharpies, washable markers, page protectors, and the list went on… Just as I was cashing out, my cell phone rang. “Are you almost home?” Michael asked. “Nathaniel needs stitches.” “I’ll be right there.” I said. As I hustled to the car, I got to thinking… How bad could it…