Suffering, Featured, Family, Faith
Courtney Reissig
Sin is Like Cancer

One of the scariest things in the early days of my diagnosis is that the pathology was unclear. Best case scenario, the cancer was contained. Worst case scenario, it had spread beyond what they could imagine. This fear was heightened by the fact that all the normal tests that catch cervical cancer failed to detect mine. I was diagnosed long after they usually diagnose women. And that terrified every medical professional I saw.

Sin is Like Cancer
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One Year Later...

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One year later…

I still think you are so dang cute.

I love holding your hand.

I enjoy going to bed with you and waking up next to you.

You still make me laugh, a lot.

I have realized I am much bigger sinner than I ever dared to think.

There is so much left to discover about who you are (and I love finding it out!).

You make me want to study the Bible more.

You help me to love and treasure the Savior.

We love just being together.

You are my best friend.

I love you more today than yesterday, which makes each new day that much more exciting.

Happy 1st anniversary, babe!

Family History and Good King Josiah

Imagine being the son or daughter of a man who was known for being evil. On top of that, imagine that it’s not just your dad who is evil, but your grandpa too. You are the product of a horrific family, a family that is determined to practice wickedness. In fact, all you have ever known in your family is wickedness. By the time you are born, your grandpa is far into his evil ways, and your father doesn’t live very long before he is killed by his own servants. This story isn’t imaginary. It’s real. In fact, it’s in the Bible. Maybe even today, there are some of you reading this who can relate to, and I hope be encouraged by, the life of King Josiah.

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Laura Bush on Abortion

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Last week Laura Bush discussed her views on abortion (and other things) on Larry King Live. Based on what she said, she has been, and still is, in favor of abortion rights. Many things could be said about this information, but the thing that struck me most was the fact that she is a woman who is affiliated with conservative views. And not just any woman, a woman married to a president who was praised and endorsed for his commitment to being pro-life.

Missions Wednesday: India

My first real encounter with India began with reading a biography about Amy Carmichael. As a missionary to India, Carmichael rescued hundreds of little girls from temple prostitution. By God’s grace, this practice is no longer in existence, but her legacy lives on. Eventually she began rescuing little boys, and her home in India became a shelter and safe haven for numerous children to be educated, clothed, fed, loved, and most importantly, taught the Gospel.

Missions Wednesday: Poland

Many of us remember the recent plane crash that took the life of Poland’s President, First Lady, and many of the country’s leaders. Tragedy can often bring a country to attention that was not previously on our minds. Apart from the fact that my sister-in-law is Polish (a descendant of Polish immigrants), my knowledge pretty much ends there. So today’s country is Poland.

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Searching for Significance

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We all want it. Deep in the core of our being we want our choices, our actions, our dreams and desires to count for something—to do something big. We want our lives to be important, to matter and make a difference. Very few people seek to live insignificant lives, right? The quest for significance is part of who we are. It is a God given desire. Often the question we must ask ourselves is where am I looking for my significance?

Missions Wednesday: France

What countries come to your mind when you think about missions? Unfortunately, for me, I tend to think only about countries that are impoverished or heavily persecuted. I don’t usually think about countries that are similar to America in economic and cultural status. What I fail to realize is that God desires ALL nations to come to Christ, including ones that look like me. My problem is that I separate where I would like to visit from where I would like to minister. For me, Europe is where you go and vacation and all other areas are where you take Jesus. Terrible thinking, isn’t it?

Up Close and Personal

It happens all of the time. A friend hurts our feelings. A pastor doesn’t understand us fully. A spouse lets us down. A teacher treats us like we are ignorant. A boss is short and demanding. We walk away thinking, “wow, he wasn’t as nice as I thought he would be.” And then disappointment sets in. Sometimes disappointment turns into bitterness or anger. We begin to resent the particular person for their failure towards us.