Faith Laces

  ✨ A family moment, a simple craft, and a glimpse of God’s transformative love. While we were camping, Cai had one simple request: to make a paper fan. It was a quick, no-fuss craft—perfect for our outdoor setting. I didn't bring along the craft bin though, so we had to make do with materials we had on hand. First, we took a few finished camping MadLibs pages and folded them accordion-style, breathing new life into something that had already served its original purpose. With a little glue and a pair of popsicle sticks rescued from the firepit, Cai turned ordinary scraps into a colorful fan—and soon, into his favorite fidget toy. It was a short crafting moment, but the joy and calm it gave him lingered long after. Watching him enjoy fidgeting with the fan reminded me: God is the master of repurposing. Just like those MadLibs and popsicle sticks, our lives may feel used up or done. But when we place the pieces in His hands, God creates something new—something deeply meaningful. ...

Scripture:   "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come." — Psalm 71:18 (NIV) Devotional:   These days there's no reason to wear suspenders—unless they’re Barry’s. A bold red pair, thick with memory and meaning, packed and unpacked for decades as a keepsake of someone special. Until one day, they were worn. And suddenly, they became more than clothing. They became a testimony. Barry’s suspenders aren’t just fabric—they’re faith in action. They symbolize the strength it takes to show up, to pour into teenagers, to serve humbly and speak boldly. Barry didn’t just wear faith on his sleeve—he wore it strapped across his chest. Like a cross between John Denver and the Brawny Paper Towel man, Barry was a man of the earth and a man of God. Through workcamps, his garden, and tall tales, Barry mentored with his hands and his heart. He embodied the fruit of a life rooted in ...

  Have you ever watched fireworks light up the night sky and felt a sense of wonder? That burst of color, that sudden brilliance—it’s like joy exploding in the darkness. But what if I told you that kind of light can live inside a jar? Even better, what if it could live inside   you ? The Little Jar Once upon a time, there was a small, empty jar sitting on a windowsill. It wasn’t fancy. It didn’t glow or sparkle. It just sat there, waiting for someone to put it in the recycling bin. One day, a child came along with a few simple things: a little oil, some water, and a few drops of food coloring. He poured them in carefully, stirred gently, popped in an Alka-Seltzer tablet and then— boom! —colors began to swirl and dance like tiny fireworks. The jar didn’t know it could do that. It didn’t know it could hold something so beautiful. Cai watching the 'fireworks' show. The Light Inside Us Sometimes, we feel like that jar—plain, small, maybe even a little empty. But with just a tiny b...