Today is the release day of our new compilation, Sustaining Life’s Victories. How can we refuse temptation and not go back to old ways? Thirty-one authors share forty Bible-based strategies in this book. Here is an excerpt that takes five minutes or less to read, and below you’ll find details for our giveaway. Victory is possible because God makes it possible. A Power That Resists by Katy Kauffman It attacked my baby tree. It wasn’t enough that this woodpecker had attacked the new metal vent caps on the roof. Now he was going for my precious baby tree. I call it a baby, because this fifteen-f ..read more

by Katy Kauffman “Penguini.” That’s the pet name for my shuffle-walk. It happens once or twice a week when I am exhausted or haven’t taken in enough calories for how active I am. Because of my tummy problems, I can only eat a little food at a time. When my Penguini condition strikes, my right foot turns inward (don’t ask me why), and I shuffle like a sleepy penguin across the house (or the grocery store). It’s hard having limitations. Mine are mild, of course. Some limitations are overwhelming, and any kind can be frustrating when we want to tackle a new project, go on an adventure, or do dai ..read more

This past weekend we enjoyed spending time with writers at the Enrich Conference. While we finish up our “grace” post that would have been scheduled for today, we’d like to share this meme on a wonderful “grace” verse. If Jesus is the One giving us grace, it truly is sufficient. We’ll be in touch tomorrow with a post for the “God’s Sustaining Grace” column. The meme above is formatted for Facebook, but can be used elsewhere. Please download and share! The translation is in the public domain (American King James Version). May our Lord and His grace sustain you each day. The post Share-a-Meme ..read more

by Katy Kauffman “Lord, don’t You care?” The disciples woke Jesus up. A storm had engulfed them on the Sea of Galilee. Waves beat hard on them, filling the boat. They were going to sink. “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38 NKJV). In the midst of the raging storm, the disciples were afraid they were going to die, and there Jesus was, sleeping. Jesus got up and commanded the wind, “Peace, be still!” (Mark 4:39 NKJV). The wind ceased, and He turned to the disciples and asked, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40 NKJV). They had seen Him ..read more

A theme for the Gospel of Luke is this: Walk with Jesus in this life, in the authority and power of the Word of God. Read each section in Luke Chapter 8 and then its corresponding application here. How can we walk with Jesus in His authority and power? Luke Ch. 8:  Count on Jesus’ power, and take the initiatives of faith. v.1-25  Apply what you hear. v.26-39  Tell others what great things God has done for you. v.40-42  When you need help, seek it from Jesus. v.43-48  Touch (adhere to, cling to) Jesus to be made well (whole). v.49-56  Believe in Jesus to see life ..read more

by Katy Kauffman Faith transforms the weak to be strong, the needy to be hopeful, the ordinary to be extraordinary. Take the following three men. After an act or statement of faith, God changed their names to reflect their belief in Him. Faith transforms us today. Based on what God knows of our hearts, struggles, and levels of faith, I wonder what He would call each of us. Perhaps Hopeful, Seeking, or Proven. Maybe On the Mend or Fledgling but Surviving. Faith has the power to transform us from just surviving to thriving, because God teaches us to “fly” above fear, pain, and suffering. He str ..read more

by Katy Kauffman He may have spent the night in the garden—the broken-winged butterfly. From a second-story window, I spotted yellow and black on blue. On a small mound of bright blue hydrangea, I watched the yellow and black wings of an Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly lie ever so still. Unusual for a butterfly. What was more unusual was how much of his wings was missing—the back two had been damaged by something bigger than he. Patience kept me from rushing outside to make sure he was okay, that he was still alive. When I came back to the window, his wings lifted, and he fluttered upward ..read more

by Katy Kauffman The first time I truly felt close to God was at a basketball camp. The University of Memphis held a basketball clinic for youth girls, and their women’s coach and team were our teachers. At twelve years old, I was in awe of seeing the coach up close and learning from her. On the first day, however, I was also lonely. During one of the breaks, I wished I was at home because my parents were expecting our reupholstered recliner to be delivered. I thought it was funny that I wanted to see a reupholstered chair with them more than to be at this basketball adventure on my own. At t ..read more

Read Mark Chapter 1, and then this application. Why would anyone want to turn to Jesus? Because: v.7-8 Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. v.9-11 Jesus has God’s seal of approval. v.12-13 Jesus faced Satan’s temptations and won. v.14-15 Jesus preaches the good news of the kingdom of God. v.16-20 Jesus trains His followers to be fishers of men. v.21-22 Jesus’ words have the power to impact us and change our lives. v.23-28 Jesus has power over Satan and his kingdom. v.29-31 Jesus heals us of whatever keeps us from serving Him. v.32-34 No disease or demon is too strong for Jesus. v.35 Jesus ..read more

by Katy Kauffman The hunger finds us at opportune times—when we’re alone at night, when we hear that friends are hanging out, when a relationship has ended. A craving to be with people starts to nibble at our hearts, and sometimes it can be satisfied with a phone call, a visit to Facebook, or a prayer. But if we can’t satisfy the hunger for fellowship soon, the gnaw of loneliness can eat away at our peace and joy. Have you felt it? No one is immune. Single people, married people, the young, the more seasoned. It finds us. Satan likes to use loneliness as a choice weapon to steal our joy, peac ..read more