Kinsey Thurlow

I slid my hand into his, weeping. I remember, even before we dated, noticing that musician’s hands. They’d pounded thousands and thousands of hours away on the piano’s keys. And I thought, “I’d like to hold one of those hands someday.” And now, nearly seven years into marriage, that strong, tender hand of his has …

Remember This Truth When You’re Aching for Resurrection Read More »

A circle of kindergartners sat before me, each eagerly waiting their turn to voice their Christmas wishes. I chose Max to go next. “And what would you like for Christmas this year, Max?” His little chipmunk face became very serious, and with great solemnity, he looked me in the eye and declared, “A sword.” “Wow!” …

God the Father’s Life-Changing Declaration Over You This Christmas Read More »

Children waved gleefully, poking their heads out of their bedroom windows to greet us as our red van pulled down the muddy driveway. My heart flipped, and tears came to my eyes when I saw the explosive smile of one brown-skinned gypsy boy, so excited to welcome the strangers. I looked over at my husband, …

The Most Impactful—and Inexpensive—Gift You Can Give This Christmas Read More »

We live in a culture that tells women to be skinny, and to show their skin—a culture that has driven some of us mad, as we’ve been lured into its insanity. I remember a teenage girl who stepped on the scale every single day of her life and measured her worth by the numbers between …

Why You Shouldn’t Wear Paint-On Leggings Read More »

Often, when people stare at a crisis, our thoughts seem more quickly inclined to Let’s Do, instead of Let’s Pray. “Okay. The prayer thing, but we need to do something.” We are so eager to do something (and just for the record, I absolutely believe that we should do something). But in our eagerness to …

Getting God’s Dream Read More »

  I remember the girl who said to me, “I wish I had a normal life.” Her words pierced me through. It was a legitimate wish. Her life wasn’t normal, and I could convince neither her nor myself that it was. Instead of a home, she lived in a facility. I’d seen her room—the one …

God’s Call to Pray for This Crisis Read More »

A few years back, I was preparing to share a message about the orphaned and fatherless with a missions organization. I was wrestling with the idea of giving this talk—not because I didn’t have things I wanted to say, but because I wanted it to be much more than me talking about “a moving issue.” …

What’s the Burden of God’s Heart Right Now? Read More »

The kids were dirty; the food was terrible; the showers (when we had running water) were freezing; there was not one restroom with toilet paper in it; I got really sick one summer; I got a staph infection another summer—but somehow, it was a little bit of heaven on earth to me. I loved holding …

What God Calls Pure and Undefiled Religion Read More »

It was just my second time to be with her. Her history, all nine years of it, was tainted with stories we’d rather not believe. Now she was orphaned and alone, and the oppression of her years hung over her, pressing her with a ruthless and heavy hand. Her pain had forged her identity. She …

When We Let the Father Name Us Read More »

I’m on my seventh day of bed rest as I write this. Did you know that you could seriously injure a rib, perhaps even crack a bone or tear a muscle … from coughing? Not to scare you. I’ve had plenty of colds and viruses over nearly 33 years of life, but this has never …

What You Need in Your Wilderness Read More »

They like to dress up like super heroes and princesses. They are fascinated with things that spin, fly or crawl. They are small. They dance like no one’s watching. They sing like superstars. I love hanging out with them. I love talking to them. I love their questions. Like the time when a little girl …

20 Questions to Ask the Kids in Your Life Read More »

This season always brings with it a message. Songs that remind our hearts to hope. A story that puts us in awe of what has been, and what is yet to be—a story still unfolding. We remember the lowly birth of the highest King. We remember the night when choirs of angels sounded in the …

Why a Weary World Rejoices Read More »

Well friends, the Christmas tree is up, the Nativity is on the mantle, and “O Holy Night” is sounding in our house! As we enter into this season, I’ve been thinking about what I want to give this year (particularly to my husband). He and I started a little tradition our first year of marriage …

10 Gifts That Will Reach Right Down to the Heart Read More »

I stared into vacant eyes as I took my seat next to her nervous, guarded frame. She wore a zip-up hoodie, shorts, and flip-flops on this below-20-degrees December day. Christmas was just around the corner, and while most kids love talking about all of the joys and lights and sweets and gifts that come with …

Remember These Children During the Holidays Read More »

So you know the, “How are you doing?” question we all ask each other? It’s like a part of the American greeting … “Hi, how are you doin’?” We hear it from the salesperson when we walk into a store, from the cashier who’s checking out our groceries, from the person we pass in the hallway …

When God Interrupts Your Devotional Read More »