Come, rest a while. Isn't that a desirable invitation? Jesus had sent out the disciples on a mission to preach repentance, and as they return, weighted with the grief of John the Baptist's death, Jesus invites them to take a break. We all experience the high pace of life at times—raising our kids, working, serving our church—and we likely recognize the necessity of rest, of practicing the spiritual disciplines of silence, solitude, and Sabbath. But even as the disciples take the opportunity, the crowds follow them. Rest seems unachievable. In their weariness, the glaring solution is to ..read more

I don't own cattle, but I have friends who do. Ushering the herd into a different space always sounds precarious and challenging. Maybe for some of you, the enormous amount of available books seems daunting when you're really just trying to pick one. So, that's what this roundup is for, to help you discover and discern books that will strengthen your knowledge and reflection on the Lord when you're not sure where to start. It's an attempt on my part to herd resources your way that I've found helpful and encouraging for your faith. I hope you find something of interest in the list! Wh ..read more

I didn't want to go to my graduation. Walking on stage, even for the 60 seconds it takes to receive the folder and smile for a photo, didn't seem like a significant use of a day (plus another half day in rehearsal prior). I'd prefer to go on unnoticed and hidden, to carry out my calling in quiet spaces. They had already sent the degree in the mail, so I didn’t really need anything else, right? My husband felt differently and confidently responded that, of course we were going, not only to the ceremony but also to the achievement dinner the evening before. So I reluctantly confirmed our a ..read more

Happy (snowy) Friday! It wouldn't be spring on the prairies without another layer of snow catching us after we've already taken the bikes out. Despite the flurries, my neighbour is hauling out his smoker, his little girl in tow ready to play outside. We're eager for warm weather. Our Awana program wraps up this week, as do my daughter's performances in the school musical—set in the 50's was so fun to watch! (and they had a lot of fun too). I'm heading out to my grad rehearsal today, the ceremony is tomorrow. I've been reluctant to go, I didn't attend my nursing grad, I figure the paperwo ..read more

Happy Friday! Spring is in the air. The birds are energetic and chirping long before the sun comes up. The sun goes down later which means it's harder to wrangle the kids inside for bed. It feels like a season of hope, of new life, of change. Even on the verge of the changing season, things aren't as simple as we wish for sometimes. We may be waiting for answered prayers, for something to change in our circumstances, and in the meantime begin to doubt or become discouraged. "Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust his h ..read more

I help you discover and discern what to put on your shelf next! Don't want to miss a post? Subscribe here! Who’s the last person you've met who really inspired you? Someone who opened your eyes to a new perspective, gave you a fresh lens to view life and faith, who challenged you to persevere and follow Christ with your whole heart. I invite you to come meet a few women. In 10 Women Who Changed the World, Daniel Akin introduces us to these women, some who may be familiar, like Ann Judson, Betsey Stockton and Lillias Trotter, and to others who might be lesser known, such as Elea ..read more

Yay for Fridays! The highlight reel this week included the return to school for the kiddos, dentist appointments, basketball and jiu-jitsu practice. I'm very ready to put away some of our winter stuff, the entryway is truly stuffed with every form of footwear, hats and jackets. Then I remember, it's the prairies, and it's spring, so really anything can happen. I'll wait. I hope this week's collection of content will be uplifting. Have a great weekend! Grace & Peace, Amber Content: This Week… Five Things: On Our Transplant Day Anniversary On the Blog On my Shelf In Articles ..read more

Where do you find your source of empowerment? We can find it in our identity, as a woman, wife, or mother. Maybe it's in characteristics of our personality, our ability to handle confrontation, or in the skills we have. Perhaps we feel empowered in our achievements, whether in the workplace or our homes. According to the dictionary app, empower is defined as the act of granting someone the authority or power to do something, as if entrusting them with a sphere of influence. Our culture tells us empowerment is something we give ourselves, an authority we pursue, influence we take from our ..read more

May your meditations on this Good Friday draw you nearer the heart of our Savior. Grace & Peace, Amber Content: This Week… Five Things On my Shelf In Articles (curated content just for you) In Snapshots Previously on Mosaic Five Things: On the Death of Christ in 1 Pet 3:18 Today we remember the horrors of the cross. We reflect on the crown of thorns, the nails, and the spear. We consider the shouts, the jeers, and mockery of the God-man, whose heart surrendered to the will of the Father with utter willingness to obey until the end. In the face of suffering, Peter wrote t ..read more

Happy Friday! This month brings with it, rays of sunshine as I walk down the steps from the hospital after a draining 12 hour shift, then greet me on the way home from a morning training at the gym. The extra hours of sunlight seem to feed my energy as if I were a plant, adorned with photoreceptors. Basketball season also addes energy to the atmosphere of our home, as the kiddos have their own season and in watching the NCAA basketball tournament, endearingly coined March Madness. We've filled out our brackets, our predictions written in ink (and on the app) and now hang in suspense as teams ..read more