Crossline Blog

Crossline Blog

Welcome to the Crossline Blog. Here you will find posts from all our main ministries with updates, latest news as well as bible studies and encouraging posts.

You Need Hope for Something, Don’t You?

Not long ago I ran into a gal who confessed, “Right now, in the midst of raising two small children and struggling to figure out how to keep our marriage happy, I’m desperate for some hope, and most of my friends are, too.” Hope. We all need it, don’t we? Lack of hope causes women (and…

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How to Forgive When Forgiveness Feels Hard (& BOOK WINNER REVEALED)

That relationship. Yeah, that one. When you began the relationship, you didn’t sign up for heartache or headaches, did you? Oh sure, you know conflict is part of life. Everyone knows. What you didn’t know was how deeply the spouse, child, friend, coworker, or church would wound you. But here you are. The conflict happened.…

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Book GiveAway!! Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life

Hey Friend! In honor of the release of my latest book, Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: a Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret we’re celebrating on the blog (cue confetti!!)  If you’re here from the P31 Encouragement for Today devotion–welcome! Since no celebration is complete without gifts, I’m…

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How to Begin a Hard Conversation in a Healthy, Holy Way

Have you ever dreaded a hard conversation? Did you wonder, How do I even begin? Years ago, a friend and I planned to meet for lunch at a restaurant halfway between us, which was still a forty-minute drive. Moments before I reached the restaurant, I received a text: “Oops! Should have texted you earlier, but…

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How Christmas Changes Everything

At Christmas people from every nation and every tongue will celebrate the birth of Jesus. They’ll attend church, sing songs, read scripture, light a candle. It’s only fitting. Christmas changed everything. Because of Christmas our sins can be forgiven. Because of Christmas we can have the hope of heaven. Because of Christmas we know what…

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Is Your Thankfulness Missing Something?

I grabbed my journal and started to write, “I’m thankful for…” But I stopped. Instead, I wrote “Thank you, God, for…” The small shift in focus made all the difference. When we celebrate a holiday like Thanksgiving (or even when we’re “counting our blessings” on a day not set aside to give thanks), our natural…

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What to Do with Your Worries, Cares and Concerns

If I can figure it out by myself, I will. What? You, too? We’re the “get-‘er-done” type gals; women you can count on. We’re resourceful, responsible, and reliable. These qualities serve us well. Until they don’t. Some things can’t be figured out alone. Some things are too heavy to bear, some are too deep to…

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Do You Feel Fragmented?

I noticed something odd at the gym today. Every machine was occupied but no one was exercising. Not one. (and, no, this is not a post about health or fitness). What were all these people doing if they weren’t working out? Looking at their cell phones. I shook my head in disbelief. And then something…

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Do You Trust God? (and Book Winner Revealed!)

Out of the mouths of babes… A couple of days ago our son texted a photo of a “secret message” sweet 4-year-old, Hallie, wrote to herself: “Trust in Jesus Christ.” It’s a message I needed to hear. We all do. If you’re like most Christians, you know you need to trust in Jesus Christ for…

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How to Find More Joy (& Book Give Away!)

Did you know recent studies show that less than 20% of us say we’re happy? I know. I know. I was shocked, too. Of course, I sensed personal peace, joy, and satisfaction were on the decline in recent years—you’ve probably sensed it, too. But, according to researchers, happiness has reached a five-decade low. Recently, author…

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Have You Been Robbed?

When I answered my phone I knew she’d been crying. “Mom, are you OK?” my heart skipped a beat as I asked. Her voice quivered in response, “My wallet was stolen.” “Are you sure? Could you have misplaced it?” “I’m sure. I’m here at Nordstrom Rack. I paused to chat with a friend and when…

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5 Surprising Ways We’re Accidentally Unloving

Welcome Friend! You don’t want to be unloving, in fact, you want to be more loving–am I right? Sometimes, though we accidentally do things that, at first glance, don’t seem particularly unloving, but upon further reflection, actually are. Read on to find out about five surprising ways we’re accidentally unloving. (note: this is not just…

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The One Thing Moms (Really) Need for Mother’s Day

“What should I have done differently?” It was an odd question, mainly because it came from my mother–a terrific mom in every respect. Her question got me thinking: why do those who are the best moms worry most they are not? Mom guilt. It’s real. We know we’re not perfect, so we worry and we…

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The Fastest Way to Change a Bad Attitude

“I have a bad attitude.” Ever had this thought? That’s like asking if the Pope is catholic, isn’t it? We all struggle with bad attitudes from time to time. The question, though, is what to do about it. How do we change a bad attitude? The answer is surprisingly simple: We change our attitude when…

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Handling Anger, Frustration, and Conflict with Less Regret.

“It’s hard not to have regrets when you’re angry.” – Becca Jones I stood in the kitchen discussing my upcoming book with my daughter-in-law. Though the book won’t be released for months, the book is about how to handle conflict so we don’t hang our heads in regret, and think, why on earth did I…

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Do You Practice the Golden Rule? (Are You Sure?)

The gal perched in front of me droned on about the sad state of her life. She expressed her complaints not so much in words, but in whines. She oozed negativity. Honestly, the more she talked, the less I wanted to hear. I tried to excuse myself–politely, of course. That’s what civil people do when…

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If You Need Comfort and Joy

Comfort and Joy. I looked down at my Christmas coffee cup and noticed the words etched on the side. This year, more than any other, this is what I need. And what I have. Comfort, because my precious father passed away a few days ago. Joy, because I know he is in heaven, and I…

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Don’t Let This Happen: 4 Things That Happen to Us When We Aren’t Thankful

Every November we can count on it: media outlets bombard us with reminders of why thankfulness is good for us. Giving thanks will make you happier, they say. Healthier. It will change your outlook and usher in peace. And, they are right. Still, knowing all the benefits of thankfulness isn’t sufficient motivation for most of…

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How NOT to Handle Hurt

What do you do when someone hurts you? This is the hard stuff of life, isn’t it? Maybe they talked behind your back. Or worse, stabbed you in the back. Maybe they hurled insults at you, called you names, or questioned your motives. Maybe they judged you wrongly or ignored you completely. The truth is hurt hurts.…

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When the ICU and New Life Collide

Two weeks ago, my oldest daughter had her first baby. Ten hours later my mom called to tell me the paramedics had taken my dad to the hospital and he was in ICU. The next day I learned the baby (Jones Ryan Healy, 8lb 9oz) had jaundice and would need to stay an extra day…

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Why We Find it Hard to Ask for Help (Even When We Should)

I’m sure my neighbors wondered why I screamed, but if they’d seen what I saw, they would have screamed with me. I picked up the hose to water a potted tree next to our garage, and when I did, a huge tarantula lept at me. I dropped the hose, ran inside, and called our exterminator.…

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The Truth About You

Welcome! If you’re here after reading the Proverbs 31 Encouragement for the Day Devotion, I’m so glad you’re here! If you haven’t read the devotion yet, you can find it here. If you’ve followed me for a while, you probably know I’m married to my pastor. One of JP’s most often quoted phrases is, “The…

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