Debbra Stephens

For the vast catalog of in-depth studies 21st Century Christian has produced for fellow Bible-lovers like me, I'm truly thankful!

It's undeniable - brokenness can be seen all around. Even in our own lives ... hearts. It can be unsettling ... troubling. So, we wonder. But then faith remembers, the Lord will make good of every single shattered piece.

A Valentine's thought from the pen of Henri Nouwen:
"Love does not ask us to be perfect;
it asks us to be PRESENT
to be available to God and to others
with an open heart."

Looking for a "because" to sing praise?
Look no further than God's love. It's the true "because"!

A prayer and a praise! They always go perfectly together.

So true!

In this exquisite chapter of "Van Gogh Has A Broken Heart" that holds this quote, Russ Ramsey explains that "we are not our worst moments or our biggest failures. It teaches us the sacred work of stewarding another's pain. And it bids us, 'Be gentle. This is a hard world.'"

The Lord has called us into the sacred partnership of stewarding one another's pain. But don't we sometimes back off ... shy away ... turn and run? But what if...

What if we realize it is heaven's holy calling? What if we come to understand we are stewards of more than resources and time ... but pain?

From Psalm 42:8 - A prayer to the God of my life