On October 21st, a 12 year old boy brought a gun to Sparks Middle School––a school 12.3 miles from my home––and opened fire, killing a teacher and wounding two classmate, before turning the gun on himself. Last Friday, a 23 year old man walked into Los Angeles International Airport and opened fire, killing one TSA worker and injuring three other people before being shot himself and arrested. And on Monday, a 20 year old man walked into a New Jersey mall shooting into the air and at security cameras “causing widespread panic” before committing suicide. That’s three shootings in three weeks. I don’t think it takes much intelligence to recognize we’ve got a problem here––a problem much of America feels helpless to resolve. I am not one to advocate more gun control, I grew up in a hunting family, and I believe Americans have a right to bear arms. Additionally,…
I just love books, and I’ve decided to share my favorites with you all. Once a month, I will review and giveaway one of my favorite books. I figure it’s a good way to pass along some great titles and give you some insight into what’s influencing me and my thoughts. I hope you enjoy these posts and find these resources to be as inspirational and influential as I did! … This month’s book is quite possibly one of my favorite books I’ve ever read, and it’s author may be one of my favorite people I have never met. It’s true, I have never personally met Bob Goff, author of Love Does, but I just love this man! {I know that may be a bit weird, but it’s true!} Bob has one of those magnetic personalities. He’s the kind of guy we’d all like to spend some time with because you just…
At some point during your faith walk, doubts will come. I’m convinced no one is immune to doubt. “Maybe there is no God,” you may think. “Maybe this whole ‘faith thing’ is just a product of wishful thinking.” Or maybe you don’t doubt your faith in God but think, “Maybe God doesn’t love me.” Or, “Maybe God doesn’t work miracles or speak to us as He did in the Bible.” When doubt strikes, it seems to come, quite literally, out of no where. Doubt is never settling. In fact, it’s quite startling. But I, honestly, don’t believe doubt is the enemy that it appears to be. Doubt in and of itself is not sinful. And in fact, doubt can serve us well because, after all, a faith challenged––a faith questioned––is a stronger faith in the end. The story of the gospel is a powerful one, one that holds the power to transform lives,…
Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles, walked on water––though it was only for a little while. Peter had faith. Enough faith, in fact, to believe Jesus would enable him to do the impossible. Yet, Peter’s great faith wained quickly. “He saw the wind” we’re told, and fear trumped faith as he began to sink (Matthew 14:30). Peter cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me” (14:30). And Jesus did, “saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” (14:31). Why did you doubt? Peter is known for quick bursts of great faith that would often slowly dissipate into doubt. And I wonder, how many of us are just like Peter? Just as the apostles cried out to Jesus, “Increase our faith!” so too, we should cry (Luke 17:5). We need great faith––a resurgence of faith. Every one of us. We need, quite simply, to BELIEVE GOD. We need to believe that He is, in fact, who…
My girls are off this week for fall break, so I’m taking the time to be with them. Today’s post has been recycled, so to speak, but it’s still new to this site. Just like Tuesday’s post, I originally wrote this one back in 2012 to be a guest post for a friend. I hope you enjoy it! And I’ll be back next week with all new posts. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. – Matthew 5:44 Three and a half years ago, the Holy Spirit challenged me with this scripture. Love your enemy. This is a difficult command, and when confronted with it, I could think of only one person––Anthony, the man who murdered my dad. Jesus was calling me to love my enemy, and one of the only insights I had on how to do this was to pray. So, out of obedience, I began to pray. I prayed good…
As promised, today’s the day to announce the winner of Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts! But first, I’d like to thank you all for entering. Be sure to catch next month’s giveaway. Next month, I’ll be reviewing a book that’s quite possibly my favorite, but it’s hard saying because I love so many! But without further adieu, the winner of One Thousand Gifts is… Ms. Whittamore! Congratulations! Ms. Whittamore, if you would kindly send me an email {laurie@lauriecoombs.org} with the address you’d like the book shipped to, I’d greatly appreciate it. A wonderful weekend to you all!
This will be the first of what I hope to be many book reviews and book giveaways on my blog. I hope to do one book a month, but I want you to know something right from the start. I am only interested in telling you about books I have personally read and believe in. So, rest assured, the books I tell you about will be GOOD! (And by the way, I don’t receive any compensation for these posts––or any for that matter––so I have no anterior motives.) … There’s an amazing book I’d like to tell you about today. It’s a book that truly has the power to help transform your thinking, and consequently your life. And I don’t say this lightly. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, written by Ann Voskamp, is a treasure we each should take the time to read. The…