Author: Dara

I love a happy ending. I won’t watch a movie or read a book if I am aware the story does not end happily. I will endure some hard times along the way, but in the end, I want happy. Maybe I am naive or possibly in denial, but there is enough drama in real…

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it…

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on…

I broke up with religion. Religion has done me wrong. Disappointed me at every turn. Lied to me about God. Wrongly defined who I am.  The definition of religion can vary, depending on the source. Everyone defines religion from their knowledge and personal experience. The definitions intersect occasionally, but overall, it’s a mixed bag. I…

I read something funny on the Internet and was snickering. In my spirit, I heard the Lord ask, “When your kids were little, what’s the thing you most wanted to see them doing?” “Laughing,” I answered, without missing a beat. When my kids were babies, toddlers, teens, and yes, even today, there is nothing better than…

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38, 39 (NKJV) Paul is writing…

When Graeson, my first-born grandson was two years old, he had spent the day at our house. After his parents took him home, my husband pointed to the wall and said, “Graeson’s handprint.” Sure enough. There on the wall, his tiny handprint waved at us. He sometimes left his mark on the curio cabinet, the…

Our former Golden Retriever, Solomon, pushed ahead to get out our backdoor first; but occasionally, I snuck out while he napped or was otherwise preoccupied. When I got out alone, you can be sure the next time Solomon went outside, he sniffed and retraced every step I had taken without him. As Solomon ran around…

What is God like? I have heard some say we cannot see Him so how can we know? Here’s how. “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God.” Hebrews 1:3 (NLT) We know what God is like by looking at Jesus. Jesus showed God’s character and goodness by the way…

I have been called an “over-thinker” many times. Sometimes my thoughts beat me up by replaying something I wish I had not done, or obsessing over something I should have done but didn’t. Even after saying I was sorry, I would still feel terrible for days. I assumed I deserved this unease since I was…