A little about me: I grew up as a Pastors kid and because of this was exposed to the joy and pain of ministry from a very young age. Intentionally discipled by both parents, they instilled within me a burning desire to know and understand the depths of my faith. I met my sweet husband, Andrew, at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois and we got married the summer following graduation. Our first year of marriage was very difficult, but the Lord graced us with a strong support system. It is out of our trials, joys, learning curves, giggles and tears that I strive to help others brave the waters of marriage and the Christian life through my blog. My desire is that we, as believers, understand that we are not alone in this crazy world; there are others who desire to stand firm in the midst of societal turmoil. Also, there is beauty to be had in marriage; beauty that does not have to fade but that can build-making marriage into a non-ending journey of discovering who it is that the Lord has given you to partner with in this life and how you can serve Him best together; all the while enjoying the beauty God has created marriage to be. Come with me on this journey; let's stand firm in the Lord, brothers and sisters. Stacy has a BA in counseling from Moody Bible Institute and is projected to receive her MA in Counseling from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in Fall of 2018. Her husband Andrew is the Lead Campus Pastor of Woodside Bible Church in Chesterfield, MI. Stacy also is a regularly contributing blogger on Our Daily Bread affiliate YMI.today.
I have a lot to be thankful for this Mother’s Day. I have three children whom I love dearly, and a husband who always plans something to make me feel special, so I truly couldn’t ask for more. However, I have come to realize, both through personal pain and the pain of others, that while … More A Call to All Women this Mothers Day
I was 12 when my parents pulled a packet of bright yellow papers out of a drawer and placed them in front of me. My young eyes fell onto the pages filled with verses, and fill in the blanks as Mom and Dad slowly and lovingly led me through a study about what communion … More Communion: Sacred or Snack?
Finding oneself and “knowing who you are” is of utmost value in America. We’re told the same message from infancy in animated movies, songs in adolescence and even prestigious institutions; “follow you heart”, “Love yourself”, “be you”, and “don’t ever change who you are.” You often hear of people having what is called an identity … More The Idol of Identity-America’s Anxious Pursuit of Self
By: Pastor Jonathan Hayashi Just last year was the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which heralded The five solaes (sola, meaning “alone” in Latin), as the core foundation for the Christian Faith. These five truths are vital to understand because they separate Christianity from every other world religion. “Soli Deo Gloria” is Latin term meaning Glory to God … More Three Things I’ve Learned About the Glory of God.
I recently found myself grumpy and tired after a day of taking care of sick kids, cleaning the house, and doing laundry. My sweet husband Andrew knew it had been a long day and I thought that maybe, just maybe, he would surprise me with flowers, a sweet note, or something, anything, to make … More It’s Not All About Us, Ladies
My mother sat on the operating table-25 years old, spirit broken, heart torn apart, and absolutely weak from two weeks of grieving the loss of her sweet baby. She should have been nine weeks pregnant today, and instead she was waiting for a DNC. Last year, my Grandma told me about the night my mom … More The Doctor said Giving Me Life Was an “Option”
When life hits hard, it hurts. A death, a sickness, a tragedy. Life is raw, our world is broken and death is a reality. Those are the facts. Amidst the pain that inevitably comes with each and every life, I want to issue a challenge to all of us. It is so very easy to … More Resolved: To allow my beliefs to be dictated not by emotion but by the Word of God.
Have you ever felt like a roommate with your spouse? It’s not that you don’t love them, or that you want to be merely co-workers in the labors of life, but day after day after week after week goes by and there hasn’t been one time that you have sat across from each other and … More Date Nights-The Lifeblood of Marriage
Friends and Family-We are thrilled to announce that we are moving back to Lions Country! About two years ago, God called us from Michigan to Iowa for a season of ministry among some absolutely wonderful people. We developed several life-long relationships and were thrilled as we watched God move. People surrendered their lives to Christ, … More God’s Next Step for the Hannas!
I will never forget pulling away from a leprosy colony in Southern India the summer of 2003. I was 13 then and had just helped my family conduct a worship service for a couple dozen Christians in the colony. As our car bumped along the terrifyingly narrow, one-lane mountain road, I vividly remember looking … More Thank God I’ve Got Fingers and Toes
joyfullywed 