by Randy Bishop I grew up in Maryland, went to college there (go Terps!), and then moved to Illinois for several years. I’m used to snow. I like my winters cold. A little more than 4 years ago, I moved way south to Birmingham, Alabama. The winters are not that cold here, and we might get an inch of snow in a good year. (Locals
by Mary R. Snyder I wanted to be her friend. It was my focus and my plan. I wrapped my plotting in good intentions with thoughts and statements like: We need to make her feel welcome and It’s hard being the pastor’s wife. I wanted to be her ally, her closest confidante, and her best friend. My motives had nothing to do with her
by Janet Thompson I was surprised at my husband’s shocked reaction to my request. But then I’d had time to consider and pray about the weight of what I was asking . . . I became a believer at the age of 12, but by my late 20s I was a divorced single mom with a successful career. For the next 17 years, I backslid
by Jennifer Kennedy Dean The Cross of Christ stands as the point of separation between the old person powered by death-driven corrupted flesh, and the new creation, powered by the very Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. At the moment you embrace the Cross, you receive its power into your life—a power that is eternally and continually working. Paul says that “death is at
by Mark Russell There are no certainties in the Christian life, and there are no certainties in business. As a result, living as a Christian in the world of business means having to live with a lot of uncertainty. Years ago a friend, Jim Dotson, was an award-winning, top-selling salesman in the world’s largest pharmaceutical corporation (Pfizer). He was climbing the ranks fast. But with
by Rhonda Rhea My wonderful hubby surprised me a while back with an anniversary cruise. Hawaii, baby! We had the most marvelous time just being together for 7 glorious days. I admit it, I’m a cruise fan. I love everything about it—especially the food. A cruise and overeating go together like a hand in glove. Well, more accurately, they go together like a size 10 hand in
by Jennifer Kennedy Dean I am a grandmother. At 2 am on January 13, Campbell Wayne Dean made his appearance. He was 7 pounds 1 ounce, 20 inches long. Many of you grandparents have been telling me for years how amazing it would be, but, truthfully, I thought you might be exaggerating. Now I think you were underplaying it. Sara’s parents, Kim and Nora Campbell,
by Mary R. Snyder I love good light. Every morning the first thing I do is open all the blinds in my house. I want to see the light spill into the room. However, when I recently discovered some additional lines on my face I wanted to jerk the blinds down and use only candles for lighting! After some thought, I determined the darkness
by Randy Bishop Our theme on New Hope Digital this month is Light Living: Basking in the Love of the Savior. What a great way to start 2012! Christmas is not that long past, and when I began thinking of light, I was drawn to John 1:4–5 (ESV): “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the
by Rhonda Rhea OK, I realize some of you hardly ever wear tights so you probably won’t totally get this. But anyone else who’s suffered from “medium denial” will sooo feel my pain. Especially when I mention that whole song and dance number a girl’s got to do to try to writhe into one of those pair of tights that’s gone completely rogue size-wise. It’s
