Nancy C. Williams

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” (Psalm 42:5) I’m one of those weird people who always have music playing in their heads.  Songs are programmed into my brain cells as if they’re records in a jukebox—they play…

“Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.” Micah 7:18 Mercy! Here in the South, we frequently use that word as an exclamation over some catastrophe, surprise, or shock. But as “The Princess Bride” movie character Inigo Montoya so famously said…

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8) There’s an ongoing spiritual battle for our souls—old as the Bible, new as this week’s sales flyers and displays at big-chain megastores. You could almost call…

“Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19) I love fall!  We’re in peak leaf-changing season here in southern Appalachia, and the colors around us are eye-popping. Buttery-yellow tulip poplars, tomato-red maples, bright-orange serviceberry…

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.’” (Psalm 122:6) Earlier this year, I walked through a hallowed spot deep below the surface of Jerusalem.  Our tour group trekked through the Western Wall Tunnel, a skinny passageway that skirts alongside the precisely-hewn…