7 Weeks to Cultivate a Summer of Wonder with God
June 26, 2026
The challenge is for seven weeks, but no matter how much time you spend meditating on these things, you will likely find yourself full of wonder, gratitude, and praise by summerâs end.
About the author
Dawn Wilson
Dawn Wilson and her husband, Bob, live in Southern California. Dawn serves part-time with a womenâs revival ministry, Revive Our Hearts. She is the founder and director of Heart Choices Today, publishes Truth Talk with Dawn, and writes for Crosswalk.com and other publications. Her co-authored book is Truth Talk for Hurting Hearts: Discover Peace and Comfort Through Godâs Perspective.
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Articles by Dawn Wilson
Why Christian Hope Is More Than Wishful Thinking
March 25, 2025
When planning to travel, we might say, âI hope a storm doesnât come through.â Or perhaps weâll think, âI hope I can find the dress I need at Macyâs.â Thatâs not biblical hope. Itâs the worldâs âhope so.â Wishful thinking cannot compare with a believerâs hope in God.
7 Comforting Truths about Uncomfortable Conviction
March 18, 2025
Saying the word âconvictionâ can elicit various reactions. Some resist conviction of sin, calling it uncomfortable. Others reject the guilty feelings associated with conviction. But Christians can take comfort in the biblical truths about conviction.
Letâs examine a few of these comforting truths.
1. Conviction Reveals Godâs Love for Us
When we experience conviction of sin, we may not realize it shows us something powerful: God loves us! In love, He convicts sinners of their need for salvation, and His rebuke and discipline toward believers, bringing conviction, stem from the Fatherâs loving concern.
God could allow His children to continue in sin without conviction, but He knows how damaging that would be. âSin leads to destruction. God doesnât want that for us,â Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth said. âHeâll even wound us temporarily if thatâs what it takes to move us to action. If youâre experiencing conviction about some sin, itâs an evidence that God loves you.â
Our loving Father God wants what is best for us, much like a caring human parent, but more so. Actress Priscilla Shirer says she prays that her sons will feel convicted when theyâre doing wrong.
The actress shared, âOne of the prayers I have prayed for my sons for a long time is, âLord, would you let the weight of conviction be so heavy on them that when they are trying to do wrong, they actually canât because thereâs such a gut level feeling of discomfort? They canât rest well; their gut feels uneasy, so they canât even enjoy food â like everything is just so uneasy.â
When under conviction, remember that God loves you enough to make you uneasy about sin.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Denis Mamin
How to Loosen Your Grip on Earthly Concerns
February 13, 2025
We loosen our grip on earthly concerns as we prioritize an eternal perspective, trust our faithful Father, and acknowledge His ownership of all we have. Our security is in His hands now, and it always will be. We need not fear.
7 Ways Anticipation of Eternity Encourages Hope
February 12, 2025
Anticipation of life with God in eternity can encourage hope for many profound reasons. Our hope in Christ begins on earth at salvation, but we also anticipate a time in the future when other benefits of our âblessed hopeâ will be realized.
Here are seven reasons our hope can increase in light of eternity.
1. Our Hope Is Rooted
This is the crucial truth to understand. The Apostle Paul wrote, âIf in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserableâ (1 Corinthians 15:19). In other words, hope in this world is good, but if itâs all we have, Paul says weâre to be pitied. He wanted the Corinthians to understand how much more they could anticipate in eternity because of their relationship with Christ.
The Christianâs hope is more than wishful thinking. Hope is solidly rooted in the truth of Godâs saving love. We live in âalert expectancyâ because of all God pours into our lives (Romans 5:5).
Our âliving hopeâ for eternity is generated in us â the new birth â through Christ's resurrection (1 Peter 1:3). Itâs a hope firmly established in Christ's faithfulness, and we are to hold on unswervingly to that hope (Hebrews 10:23) because we cannot save ourselves.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/FG Trade
5 Reasons Christians Were Created to Be Creative
January 27, 2025
Some people are creative wonders, creating incredible works of art using their skills and talents. Others, not so much. People can also be creative with their words, building relationships and coalitions that invite unity and blessing.
But why is it important for Christians to create in the first place? We can learn much about the importance of creative expression from the Word of God.
1. The Creative Trinity Inspires Us to Create
According to the Bible, all three persons of the Trinity were involved in creating the world.
Genesis 1:1 says, âIn the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.â The words âin the beginningâ mean in the beginning of time; God existed before time was created. Time is measured by the light of days and darkness of nights (Genesis 1:2-5). In Psalm 102:25, the psalmist says God laid the earth's foundations, and the heavens are His handiwork. Jeremiah says that God made the earth âby His power,â founding it âby His wisdom,â and He mapped out the expanse of the heavens âby His understandingâ (Jeremiah 10:12).
The New Testament further instructs that Jesus Christ, the Living Word, was involved in the creation of âall thingsâ (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16). In Hebrews 1:2, Jesus is described as the agent of the creation; it was âthroughâ Him.
The Holy Spirit was also involved in creation. Genesis 1:2 says the Spirit of God âwas hovering overâ the created bodies of water. Also, in Psalm 33:6, the words used are in reference to the Holy Spirit â the heavens were made âby the breath of his mouth.â The word for âspiritâ is often translated in the Hebrew as âbreathâ or âwind.â
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are all creative forces, and everything God creates is good. Since we are created in Godâs image and are meant to imitate Him, it follows that God can inspire us to develop personal creative expression. Creativity is one of the good gifts God gives to His children. Our creativity is simply a reflection of His.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/gorodenkoff
Powerful Ways to Confirm Your âCalling and Electionâ
January 14, 2025
Since Christ's work on the sinnerâs behalf was the only work necessary for salvation, biblical Christianity is not a works-based approach to salvation. Itâs all God. But Peter suggests that our salvation works itself out in practical ways as we rely on Godâs resources.
How Do We Fight Our Spiritual Battles Smart, Hard, and Well?
December 26, 2024
Our greatest reward will be living in eternity with Jesus, our victorious Savior, Lord, and King. To be an overcomer, understand the stakes of the battle, discover Satanâs tactics, employ weapons from the heavenlies, stand firm in Jesus Christ, clothe yourself for battle, and pray without ceasing.
Why Did Young Jesus Stay Behind in the Temple?
December 19, 2024
Jesusâ encounter with the Temple elders was the last time we read about Him until His storyline jumps to His baptism by his cousin John (Matt. 3:13-17). But from His experience, the young Jesus teaches us many things â things Christians are instructed to do in the New Testament.
6 Beautiful Ways to Keep the Joy of Christmas Alive after the Holidays
December 9, 2024
Most Christians celebrate the Incarnation of Jesus on December 25, but Orthodox Christians celebrate on January 7. Regardless of the date, after the celebration there is often a letdown, sometimes described as âafter-Christmas blues.â
Christmas is over. But now what? What might Christians think and feel on the days after the merry-and-sacred celebration of Jesusâ birth, and is there something they should do?
Here are some ideas for the day after Christmas, and the days until the new year.
1. Remember: Contemplate and Share the Good News
Think about it. The âgood news of great joyâ (Luke 2:10) did not end with Jesus in a cattle manger. The Good News continued with Jesus on the cross and His resurrection. As Canadian theologian and pastor Tim Challies wrote, âWhat gives December 25 its value is that Jesus is alive.â That truth is for every day, not just Christmas Day.
The Good News continues even today as countless people receive by faith what Jesus has done for them (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; John 1:12). And after Christmas, we can still say, âThanks be to God for His indescribable gift!â (2 Corinthians 9:15).
John Duncan at Lifeway noted, âChristmas should ignite the soul with a passion for God.â Our passion for God should overflow into a passion for lost souls.
Determine to share the powerful Gospel message, especially in the days after Christmas when people might feel an emotional letdown. They may feel lonely, worn out, worried about debt, stressed out, hopeless, or depressed. This is the perfect time to give them a reason for hope and joy! Emulate the shepherds who praised God âfor all they had heard and seenâ (Luke 2:20). Reach out in love and friendship to those who hurt, and tell them about Jesus.
Photo credit: Pexels/Denis Gvozdov
How to Cultivate Christlike Humility This Christmas
November 25, 2024
The most profound way to cultivate humility at Christmas is to remember how Jesus came. In heaven, Jesus received honor and glory due to Him. He had all the rights of power and sovereign rule that the Father had; but in the greatest act of humility ever, Jesus left heaven to become our Savior. The Father sent Him to accomplish this task and Jesus humbly obeyed.
7 Amazing Ways Wonder Boosts Our Gratefulness
November 1, 2024
I wonder how many Christians have allowed Thanksgiving, a special day of gratitude, to devolve into only food, family, and festivities. None of these things are wrong. In fact, God blesses food, family, and festivities in the lives of His children. But followers of Jesus Christ can go beyond these to something more.
A different approach to Thanksgiving can boost our gratefulness. That approach is wonder. Properly explored, wonder can not only transform Thanksgiving Day into a special day unto the Lord, but also motivate a lifetime of gratitude.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Thomas Jackson
Why Is Water So Important Throughout Scripture?
October 18, 2024
Although people may appreciate the science concerning water, Christians have much more to appreciate. Whether itâs stories familiar to children or great theological concepts, the Bible has much to say about water.
Letâs look at these types of water, and why our thirst can only be satisfied with a particular kind of water.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/grafxart8888
How Is Our Joy Complete in Christ?
October 15, 2024
Yes, there was joy in heaven and a measure of it on the cursed earth before Jesus came, but when the Father sent the Son, our fullest, most complete joy was made possible in Him â joy that would last forever. Joy comes to those who have a right relationship with Father God through Jesus Christ.