Angela Mackey

Rethinking Christian Life

Feeble Offerings: Seeing God’s Glory in the Mundane

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV Jochebed was a slave – a slave under Pharaoh. This Pharaoh noticed that the Hebrews – Jochebed’s people – were becoming too numerous. So he ordered that all Hebrew…

Defiance: How to Fight for Joy

Today I almost cried as I read a book aloud to my kids. The scene wasn’t poignant. No one lay dying nor was anyone confessing unrequited love. Still the darkness pressed in around my heart. The heaviness of life, friends fighting cancer, the ton of feathers falling on my shoulders, and my ongoing battle to…

Silent Grief: Pregnancy Loss, Grieving, and Hope

It still hurts and I can’t explain it away. There are these babies who crawled into my heart, but died in my womb. And a part of my heart still beats for them 13 years later. Even thought I only held them in my body a short time, I began the process of planning their…

Letting Go to Grow: the Startling Secret to Contentment

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24 ESV “God, I don’t understand why Sandra has a beautiful green leaf and I am stuck in this hard shell,” Lucille prayed. “We were seeds…

Rest and Watching: How to See God Move in Life’s Challenges

I [Jesus] have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 ESV Life’s challenges. Physical injury. Plumbing leak. Saying good-bye to some really dear friends. Transition in my husband’s office. At times emotions…

Broken and Brave: Standing Up Afraid

“You have such a good attitude about your foot,” said a friend as we discussed my crutches. She had no idea my struggle only the day before. I stood on one foot in front of my bathroom mirror as I attempted to apply eye-liner with my crutches tucked under my armpits . “Everything is harder…

Choosing Your Portion: How to Trust God with Your Life

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. Psalm 16:5 ESV A portion, a meal, sustenance, what fills our bellies, and nourishes our bones. This psalmist says that he chooses the LORD to feast upon, to sustain him through all his days. I wonder, what is my chosen portion? What…

Remembering the Fallen

Today we remember. We remember those who gave their lives for our country. We remember men and women who volunteered or were drafted to serve. People who gave their lives in service of their country. How can we as a country say thank you to those who gave their lives? To their family left incomplete? We…

When You are Weary How to Find Your Refuge – Psalm 61

What to Do When God’s Promises Don’t Seem to be For You

My right foot throbbed as I stood singing in the choir loft. When I sang, “You carry my healing in Your hands…” my heart jerked. Where’s your healing? It’s been nearly a year…Isn’t it hypocritical to sing of healing when you aren’t healed? My rebellious mind whirled. Your tubal pregnancies, failed IVF attempts, where is the healing there?…