I know it, like the way I pull the camera up to my eye. The way I squint with my right, look with the left. I look through the viewfinder, hungry. Hungry to see beauty. How the soul needs this every day, more than lungs need air. So many of my mornings start reading the bible, […]

Reading Matthew 18:1-5 [you can read it here in a new tab real quick and it’ll give great context to this post!] I was confronted with the idea of being child-like. Over the last few months, this idea has been brought up, talked about, and expressed to me though sermons, books, and people around me. It’s something […]

Today the ever lovely Courtney Smith is taking over the Be Confident section!   I know, for me, that comparison is one of THE biggest joy stealers in my life each and every day.  I was so encouraged by her words, and I know you will be too!   xo AnnaFilly We’ve all been there, haven’t we? […]

Walking down a street in any suburban neighborhood, or go to an orphanage in a foreign country, and you’ll hear the laughter of children. That sound…the way it vibrates pierces the heart. It has a way of reminding us of the joy that we all desire, the laughter that came so easily to us as […]

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of posts from people who are in spiritual “dry spells” meaning they feel they are distant from God and from all of what He brings. Perhaps it’s just the season, or perhaps it’s something more but I knew I couldn’t ignore it. With that, I want to remind you […]

One of my favorite stories happens to be tucked between the pages in one of the oldest books of the Bible. One thing you’ve just GOTTA know about me is that I’m a secret history buff. I adore facts, history and understanding the “why” of how something came to pass. History is FULL of incredible […]

I was having quiet time with Jesus about a year ago when I had the words “God doesn’t call you to be comfortable, but He promises to be our Comforter” come powerfully into my mind. We all want to be comfortable. Life is easier that way. Synonyms for comfortable are: cozy, snug, warm, pleasant, agreeable, […]

I’ll never forget that afternoon.  The smell of the Thai food, the chill of the winter air outside and the warmth of being inside, the way my friends eyes pooled as they looked at me, deeply sorrowful and joyful. I saw something so deep and beautiful in those eyes. My friend Una grew up in […]

“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” Philemon 1:7 It’s a word that so many people associate with happiness, but really, their definitions are different entirely. Many may think that it’s a feeling, or it’s an emotion that comes as a result of […]

I ask myself this questions a lot: “what can I…do?” It echoes in my heart as I see crisis all over the world and crisis right in my own backyard. For a lot of us, we are where we are without much control of the situation and our scope of influence is often somewhat fixed. […]

I honestly believe that the best way we can love God is to believe He is exactly who He says He is. Someone once told me that the Bible is God’s love letter to his people.  Over and over and over again the Lord filled scripture with stories, encouragement and promises kept.  Why did he […]

On this snowy morning, I sat up cozy in bed to read the pages of my Pursuit 31 “Seek” devotional, and on this particular day, the heart of God jumped off the pages. The volume on something I keep so low was tuned up so high and all I could say was God, I’m sorry. […]

When we talk about this month’s theme being love, we can’t avoid talking about people and our relationships to them. I just moved and started going to a new church and instantly felt right at home. Prior to this church I visited a few others and didn’t feel quite as welcome. It had nothing to […]