A dying sun streaks the Western sky in chalky pastels. Mountain ridges thick with deciduous trees lay long and dark, one after another, the bumpy backs of slumbering reptiles. Fingers of mist cling to the valley floor on the hillocks between flat, grassy pastures. In the distance, the panoramic profile of the Blue Ridge mountains spans the horizon. Birds trill in the still air, fresh and cool from the day’s showers. I take in a breath, attempting a deep draught of mountain air, but my throat catches as hot tears well up. I am overwhelmed at God’s goodness in bringing me to this place, Continue Reading

“Let’s ask the Bible a question, flip it open, and point to a verse!” said one of my church friends. Humored, the group agreed. One young mom wondered if she would have a second child. She opened her Bible, her finger landing on Obadiah 1:17, “But on Mount Zion will be deliverance..." We cracked up, but we knew we weren’t using the best approach to Scripture (and this friend didn’t have another child). Here’s what the Bible says about itself: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of Continue Reading

We turn into the open gate, the familiar crunch of gravel under our tires. Stepping out of the car, the scent of the pine forest fills my nostrils, evoking twenty-five years-worth of fond memories in this place. Already late for the first evening meeting, we head for the auditorium nestled in the trees. A towering, thickly forested mountain juts skyward in the background. Such beauty. Every year, I breathe in the sight. We hurry to join the others from our church network. For a good chunk of our lives, we have worshiped alongside these people, experiencing stirring messages and Continue Reading