The fall of Jerusalem marks a heartbreaking turning point in Israel’s history. Yet, as the historical timeline weaves through Kings, Chronicles, Jeremiah, and into the raw grief of Lamentations, God’s unwavering presence and surprising mercy shine through the devastation.

The fall of Jerusalem unfolds like a detailed historical record—a layered account of a long-prophesied judgment finally coming to pass. After years of warning the people, Jeremiah is forced to live through the very destruction he foretold. Yet, amidst the ruins, God remembers those who honored Him. Nebuchadnezzar commands that Jeremiah be protected and given complete freedom, while Ebed-Melech, the Ethiopian who rescued Jeremiah from the cistern, receives a personal promise of safety because he trusted in the Lord.

As captives gather in Ramah—fulfilling Jeremiah’s prophecy of bitter weeping—the Babylonian captain of the guard acknowledges what Israel failed to see: that Jerusalem fell because the people sinned against God. Jeremiah chooses to stay behind with the poor in Judah under the new governor, Gedaliah. From this ash heap of judgment, the book of Lamentations opens. Pictured as a solitary widow weeping in the night, Lady Zion mourns her loss, offering us a raw, sacred permission to bring our deepest grief, questions, and heartbreaks directly to God.

The condition of being imprisoned, confined, or held under the control of an enemy or outside force.

In today’s reading, captivity is displayed in two distinct ways: physical exile and spiritual bondage. Before the Israelites were ever marched off in chains to Babylon, they were already held captive by their own persistent sin and stubborn rebellion. They traded the freedom of God’s covenant for the heavy yoke of idols.

Physical captivity is heavy and painful, but spiritual captivity is far more subtle and dangerous. We often deceive ourselves into thinking that living outside of God’s will is ultimate freedom, only to find ourselves trapped in anxiety, guilt, or addiction. True liberation isn’t found in independence from God, but in daily surrendering our hearts into His loving hands.

Is there an area of your life or a persistent sin that is keeping you spiritually captive? How can you surrender that control to God today to experience His true freedom?

Download Your Journal Page Here

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the God who breaks every chain and liberates the weary heart. Forgive us for the times we have pursued our own way and ended up trapped in our own bad choices and sin. We lift up the heavy burdens and anxieties we’ve been carrying and surrender them to You today. Help us to walk in the true freedom, peace, and joy that only come from seeking Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s reading spans intense prophetic warnings delivered simultaneously from 900 miles apart by Jeremiah in Jerusalem and Ezekiel in Babylonia, emphasizing that God’s authority and judgment reach across all human boundaries.

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made.

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.

• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.

• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

In Ezekiel 24, Ezekiel faces an agonizing personal loss when his beloved wife dies suddenly. God instructs him not to observe traditional mourning or weeping—a dramatic prophetic sign to the Israelites of the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. The tragic reality is that the people will be overwhelmed by judgment for their sins, unable even to perform customary rituals. Following this, Ezekiel 25 delivers warnings against surrounding nations like Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia for gloating over Israel’s devastation.

Meanwhile, in Jeremiah 34 and 21, King Zedekiah seeks a favorable word from God as the Babylonian siege closes in, yet fails to genuinely repent. Jeremiah reveals that God Himself will fight against Jerusalem because of their ongoing rebellion and their betrayal in re-enslaving freed Hebrew servants. Turning toward Egypt, Ezekiel compares Pharaoh to a prideful water monster in the Nile, declaring that God will break Pharaoh’s strength and empower Babylon to carry out His divine purpose.

A symbol of power, support, conquest, or active authority; the physical or spiritual extension used either to enforce justice or to offer protection.

In Scripture, the word “arm” appears over 900 times, frequently denoting the active influence and sovereignty of the Almighty. In Jeremiah 21:5, God warns that He will fight against rebellion with a “strong hand and a powerful arm,” while simultaneously breaking the arms of proud rulers like Pharaoh.

Yet for those who turn to Him, that same mighty arm offers salvation and comfort. As Isaiah 33:2 reminds us, God’s arm is our daily strength in times of trouble. Whether acting as a firm line against injustice or a loving embrace for the brokenhearted, God’s arm holds ultimate authority over every circumstance.

In what areas of your life do you need to stop relying on your own strength and instead rest in the protective, welcoming embrace of God’s mighty arm?

Download Your Journal Page Here

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mighty arm that fights against evil and establishes justice in our world. Thank You that the same arm that holds all creation is open wide to embrace, protect, and care for us when we are weary. Help us to surrender our burdens into Your capable hands, trusting in Your unfailing strength each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s reading spans multiple dramatic prophetic passages depicting a profound turning point in Israel’s history: Jeremiah’s act of faith while in prison and the surrounding judgment and promised restoration of God’s people.

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made.

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.

• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.

• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

In Jeremiah 32, while confined in the courtyard of the guard, Jeremiah receives an unexpected instruction from God. His cousin Hanamel comes to offer him a field in Anathoth. Following the Mosaic law of redemption, Jeremiah purchases the land with money and witnesses, even though Babylon is surrounding Jerusalem and captivity is imminent. This land purchase stands as a prophetic declaration that houses, fields, and vineyards will once again be bought in the land.

In response to Jeremiah’s marveling prayer, God confirms both the necessity of judgment for Judah’s long rebellion and His enduring covenant of restoration. Even as God brings judgment upon the city, He promises to gather His scattered people, grant them one heart and one purpose, and establish an everlasting covenant with them. Meanwhile, in Ezekiel 26, God speaks against the city of Tyre for gloating over Jerusalem’s downfall, demonstrating that human pride and malicious joy will answer to divine justice.

To plant again, especially when transferring to a larger pot or a new site; to establish deeply in a new or restored place for flourishing growth.

Moving a plant requires care, water, and deep attention to eliminate air pockets so the roots can establish properly. In Jeremiah 32:41, God declares, “I will find joy in doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.”

God acknowledges that returning after a 70-year exile requires more than a simple return; it requires a deliberate, loving replanting. Though being dug up and moved through trials is painful, God lovingly waters and nourishes His people so that their roots go deeper into His grace and unfailing love.

In what area of your life feel like you are being “dug up” or replanted right now, and how can you lean into God’s wholehearted care during this transition?

Download Your Journal Page Here

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your strong arm that holds us and Your wholehearted love that restores us. When we face seasons of transition, pain, or being replanted, remind us that Your intention is always to draw us closer to Yourself. Help us to put down deep roots in Your grace, trust in Your promises, and worship You with one heart and purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s reading spans multiple dramatic prophetic passages depicting a profound turning point in Israel’s history: the grief of Ezekiel’s tragic personal loss and the impending fall of Jerusalem.

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made.

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.

• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.

• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

In Ezekiel 24, God delivers a heartbreaking announcement: Ezekiel’s beloved wife, the delight of his eyes, will die. God commands Ezekiel not to mourn or weep publicly. This painful personal loss serves as a powerful symbol to the exiles of the overwhelming, silent grief they will experience when Jerusalem and the beloved temple are destroyed.

Simultaneously, across 900 miles in Jerusalem, Jeremiah confronts King Zedekiah and the leaders. Facing the Babylonian siege, the officials briefly release their enslaved fellow Israelites to obey God’s law, only to renege on their vow and force them back into slavery when danger seems to pass. Because of their persistent hypocrisy and unwillingness to surrender, God declares that judgment is swift and certainly near.

A body part symbolizing strength, power, defense, and authority; in Scripture, the “arm of the Lord” represents God’s active power in executing justice, breaking enemy forces, and gathering His children in comfort and safety.

Throughout Ezekiel 30 and 31, God speaks of breaking the “arm” of Pharaoh and the proud nations who trusted in their own height and power like towering cedars. Human power and arrogant rulers will fail, but the arm of the Lord stands supreme.

While God’s arm brings justice against unrepentant pride, Isaiah 40:11 reminds us of His gentle strength: “He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.” God’s arm is powerful enough to dismantle human arrogance, yet tender enough to carry us through our deepest grief and heaviest trials.

In what area of your life do you need to stop striving in your own strength and rest in the strong, protective arms of God?

Download Your Journal Page Here

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mighty arm that stands for justice, breaks the power of pride, and protects Your truth. In moments when we feel weary, burdened, or weak, remind us that Your arms are open to hold us up and carry us through. Help us to yield our own will to Yours and trust completely in Your strength today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s reading spans multiple passages that piece together a pivotal moment in Israel’s history: the official arrival of judgment and the siege of Jerusalem.

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made.

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.

• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.

• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

God begins by comparing Israel to “worthless slag”—the useless residue left over after metal processing. Because of their rampant disobedience, breaking all of the Ten Commandments through oppression, sexual immorality, murder, and idolatry, God declares that He will bring them into His furnace to melt them down in the heat of His anger.

In Ezekiel 23, God uses the allegory of two sisters, Oholah (representing Samaria) and Oholibah (representing Jerusalem), to show how intimate spiritual betrayal leads to physical ruin. Even after seeing the northern kingdom fall, Jerusalem did not learn. Moving across 2 Kings and Jeremiah, we see Nebuchadnezzar’s forces surround Jerusalem for a two-year siege. Nearly 1,000 miles away, God awakens Ezekiel on that exact day to tell him the city has fallen, instructing him to set out a boiling pot with rusted meat as an act to show the people that their uncleanness has caught up with them.

A vessel made of a refractory (stubborn/unyielding) material used for melting substances under extreme heat; a severe test or a refining fire where precious substances are purified.

Proverbs 27:21 reminds us, “The crucible is for silver and the furnace is for gold, but man is refined by his praise.”

While Jerusalem faced God’s crucible due to rebellion, we all face intense crucibles and pressing trials in life. Jesus Himself experienced the ultimate “pressing” trial in the Garden of Gethsemane—a name derived from gath and shemen, meaning “oil press.” Under immense pressure, Jesus submitted His will to the Father, showing us how to navigate severe trials with faith.

As 1 Peter 1:6–7 reminds us, trials come so that the genuineness of our faith, of greater worth than gold refined by fire, may result in praise and honor. God uses these seasons to refine our character and bring us out as pure gold.

What is a current trial or “crucible” you are facing, and how can you actively submit your heart to God’s refining process in the middle of it?

Download Your Journal Page Here

Dear Heavenly Father, we know that going through the crucible is never easy or comfortable. In our hardest moments of testing and pressure, help us to turn our eyes toward You. Refine our hearts, strip away our pride, and let our faith come forth as pure gold. Thank You for Jesus’ example of complete submission to Your will. In His name we pray, Amen.

In today’s reading, leaders come to Ezekiel seeking a word from God, but God responds with a history lesson revealing generations of Israel’s rebellion alongside His constant, merciful restraint for the honor of His name.

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made.

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.

• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.

• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

Through Ezekiel, God recounts Israel’s journey from Egypt through the wilderness into the Promised Land. Over and over, Israel rebelled, worshipped idols, and profaned God’s Sabbaths. Yet, over generations, God held back His full wrath for the sake of His holy name.

Now, judgment is imminent. God declares that He will purge the rebels and rule with power so that His people will finally stop bringing shame to His name. Using vivid imagery—a consuming forest fire and a sharpened, polished sword—God highlights the severity of their sins, which include social injustice, extortion, and rampant idolatry. When Ezekiel complains that the people accuse him of speaking only in riddles, God continues to use dramatic sign-acts to get their attention, commanding Ezekiel to groan, clap his hands, and stamp his feet.

To contaminate; to taint with guilt; to use holy things for carnal or idolatrous purposes.

God asks Israel directly in Ezekiel 20:30, “Do you plan to pollute yourselves just as your ancestors did?” Pollution can happen through obvious, major sins, but it also creeps into our daily lives through small, subtle habits—media choices, toxic influences, or even our speech.

Grumbling, complaining, and sharp sarcasm act like spiritual pollution. They contaminate our hearts and scatter negative “trash” into the lives of those around us. As Ephesians 4:29 reminds us, we are called to speak only what builds others up according to their needs.

What subtle “pollutants”—whether in media, attitudes, or speech like grumbling—might be creeping into your daily life, and how can you invite God to cleanse your heart today?

Download Your Journal Page Here

Lord God, You are so faithful and patient with us. Forgive us for the ways we allow subtle compromises and grumbling to pollute our hearts and speech. Help us to guard our eyes, ears, and tongues so that our lives bring honor to Your holy name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s reading leads us through allegories, personal accountability, and deep laments, yet it reminds us of God’s ultimate desire to restore and cultivate new life.

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made.

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.

• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.

• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

Ezekiel 17 presents a complex allegory featuring two great eagles and a vine. The first eagle represents King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who carried Judah’s leaders into captivity. The second eagle symbolizes Egypt, warning that turning to worldly alliances rather than God will lead to ruin.

Yet, right in the middle of this warning, God shares a promise of future restoration: “I will take a branch from the top of a tall cedar and I will plant it on top of Israel’s highest mountain.” (Ezekiel 17:22). This planted sprig prophesies the coming Messiah and the restoration of David’s kingdom.

Ezekiel 18 addresses a popular proverb of the day: “The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” People were blaming their parents’ sins for their own plight, but God refutes this mindset. He makes it clear that every individual is personally accountable for their own choices—we cannot blame our family background or past heritage for our heart state.

God emphasizes His desire for redemption over destruction: “Repent and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you... find yourself a new heart and a new spirit.” (Ezekiel 18:30-31). Even as judgment looms near, God’s invitation to turn back and live remains wide open.

Ezekiel 19 is a funeral song or lamentation over Judah’s final kings. Using the imagery of a lioness and her cubs, as well as a once-fruitful vine plucked up and cast down, Ezekiel mourns leaders who ignored God’s Word and led the nation into ruin. Ungodly leadership brings true cause for lament, yet God’s overarching plan is never defeated by human failure.

To place like a seed, bulb, or plant in the ground so that it can grow; to settle, establish, or build.

In Ezekiel 17:22, God promises that He Himself will take a tender sprout and plant it on a high mountain where it will grow strong and shelter many.

Think back on the people God used to plant seeds of faith in your own life—a parent, Sunday school teacher, or friend whose quiet words pointed you to Christ. God delights in planting, watering, and tending His children. He is not only at work in our individual hearts, but He is also planting His larger kingdom across the earth.

Who planted seeds of faith in your life, and how can you plant a seed of God’s love or encouragement in someone else’s life today?

Download Your Journal Page Here

Lord, thank You that even in difficult seasons, Your golden threads of hope and grace run through everything. Help us to take personal responsibility for our walk with You and to trust You as the Master Gardener who tends, grows, and establishes our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s reading brings us into three vivid, probing chapters in Ezekiel that expose the depth of Israel’s spiritual adultery while pointing toward God’s unfailing desire to restore His people.

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made.

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.

• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.

• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

In Ezekiel 14, elders of Israel come to sit before Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord. However, God sees straight through their outward religious appearance. He reveals that they have set up idols directly in their hearts, entangling themselves in sin. God declares that if anyone comes to Him while harboring heart idols, He will answer them according to their idolatry.

God goes on to state that even if three of the most righteous men in history—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were living in the land, their righteousness could only save themselves, not the nation. (Notably, Daniel was actively living in Babylon at the very same time as Ezekiel, serving as a beacon of godliness during his own lifetime!) A nation cannot hide behind the virtue of a few faithful individuals; each person is accountable before God.

In Ezekiel 15, God offers a brief parable comparing Jerusalem to a wood vine. A vine’s sole value lies in its ability to bear fruit; if it produces no fruit, its wood is soft, useless, and fit only to be burned in the fire.

Ezekiel 16—one of the longest and most intense chapters in the book—presents a raw allegory of Israel as an abandoned, vulnerable infant rescued by God, lovingly cared for, and adorned as His bride. Yet, Israel turned God’s lavish gifts into tools for idolatry and spiritual prostitution. The description is raw and uncomfortable because God wants His people to grasp the intense emotional weight of covenant betrayal.

Deserving intense dislike; loathed, hated, or abhorrent.

In Ezekiel 16:2, God commands Ezekiel to “confront Jerusalem with her detestable sins.” When we inspect our own lives, it can be easy to categorize certain sins as minor or harmless compared to glaring, public missteps. But all sin is abhorrent to a holy God because it leads our hearts away from Him.

When we invite the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, He gently exposes subtle attitudes—like pride, grumbling, or self-reliance—before they take root. The good news is that we don’t have to carry our sin. When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Are there subtle attitudes or habits in your life that you’ve treated as “minor,” but need to bring honestly before God today? Ask Him to give you a pure, responsive heart.

Download Your Journal Page Here

Lord, thank You for Your incredible patience and faithfulness toward us. Search our hearts today and reveal any hidden idols or attitudes that do not honor You. Give us the grace to turn away from what is detestable and to walk closely with You in integrity and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today we read a dramatic vision of spiritual corruption and judgment in Jerusalem, paired with a heartbreaking turn of events: the departure of the glory of God.

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made.

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.

• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.

• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

In Ezekiel 10 and 11, Ezekiel sees the majestic throne of God resting above the cherubim, glowing like brilliant blue sapphire. Yet, because of Jerusalem’s systemic idolatry and wicked leadership, judgment by fire goes forth from the throne.

Gradually, the cloud of God’s Shekinah glory moves from inside the temple out to the east, signaling that the divine King has abandoned His earthly residence. For nearly four centuries, God had dwelt among His people in the temple, but their unfaithfulness drove His manifest presence away.

Even while declaring judgment on Jerusalem’s wicked leaders, God turns His eyes toward the exiles. He promises that even in foreign lands, He Himself will be a sanctuary for them.

God makes a breathtaking promise of future restoration: He will give His people singleness of heart, put a new spirit within them, and replace their stubborn, stony hearts with tender, responsive hearts that delight in His ways.

In Ezekiel 12 and 13, Ezekiel is instructed to carry out more symbolic actions. He packs his bags and digs through the wall of his house in broad daylight, showing how King Zedekiah will attempt to flee Jerusalem during the siege, only to be captured.

God then confronts the false prophets who were “whitewashing” the city’s sins—putting a weak plaster cover over deeper structural decay and promising peace when judgment was at the door. God promises to bring down their whitewashed walls and expose their lies.

Magnificence, great beauty, or the radiant outshining of God’s character and obvious presence; derived from a Hebrew root meaning “weightiness” and value.

Just as gold’s value is measured by its weight, God’s glory represents His supreme worth and majesty. When we glorify God, we are recognizing and ascribing true value to who He is.

It is sobering to see God’s glory depart from the temple in Ezekiel’s vision. Yet, the story doesn’t end in abandonment. God longs to be with His people. When our hearts wander, He doesn’t cast us off forever; He calls us back, offers us a soft heart, and invites us to rest in His glory once again.

Is there any area of your life where a stony heart has begun to form? Ask God today to soften your heart and fill you with a fresh desire for His presence and glory.

Download Your Journal Page Here

Lord God, You are worthy of all praise and honor. Forgive us for the times we turn away from Your presence to chase lesser things. Soften our hearts today and give us a tender, responsive spirit that delights in obeying You. May our words and actions reflect Your glory to the world around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

We dive into five intense chapters in Ezekiel, likely spoken around September 592 BC. With Daniel already in Babylon following the first wave of deportation, Jerusalem’s final fall is only a few years away.

Have you ever dreamed of walking the cobblestone streets of Europe and stepping right into the pages of history? I would love to invite you to join me for a special adventure in August 2027. We are heading to the breathtaking city of Prague!

Writing historical fiction and navigating the homeschool journey has shown me that a beautiful adventure begins when we step into the very places where history was made.

The 2027 Prague Experience offers three unique paths to fit your heart’s calling:

• The Mission Experience: Serve alongside local ministries and build meaningful relationships within the community.

• The Homeschool Experience: Bring history, literature, culture, and faith to life through immersive education for your family.

• The Leisure Experience: Take in the stunning architecture, enjoy authentic Czech cuisine, and share wonderful fellowship.

We will discover historic landmarks and celebrate a rich Christian heritage together. The itinerary is being finalized right now, and there is no obligation to simply learn more.

Join the priority list today to receive early registration opportunities, pricing details, and special updates directly from me!

God commands Ezekiel to perform another striking sign act: shave his head and beard and divide the hair into three equal parts. One-third is burned in the city, one-third struck with a sword, and one-third scattered to the wind—a vivid illustration of the terrifying judgment awaiting Jerusalem for its severe rebellion.

In Ezekiel 7, God’s message turns into sobering poetry. He warns that judgment has arrived at the four corners of the land, bringing disaster upon disaster. He points out that the people’s wickedness and pride have “blossomed to full flower”.

Through a divine vision, Ezekiel is brought to the Jerusalem temple. Instead of holy worship, he witnesses detestable idolatry occurring directly inside God’s house: pagan idols, women mourning for the Babylonian god Tammuz, and men worshiping the sun.

Before the executioners carry out judgment, God sends a man in linen to put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and mourn over Jerusalem’s evil. While the rest face destruction, God notices those with contrite hearts and spares them.

The state of bearing flowers; reaching a peak stage of development or full maturity.

In Ezekiel 7:10, God uses a sardonic reversal to describe Israel’s condition: pride and arrogance had blossomed into full, unchecked bloom. Just as untended weeds spread until they overwhelm a garden, small seeds of pride and self-reliance bloomed into outright rebellion.

This serves as a vital heart check for us today. What subtle seeds of sin or pride are we allowing to take root? God desires to prune away choking vines so that our lives bloom with humility, love, and the fruit of the Spirit.

Are there areas of subtle pride or self-reliance taking root in your heart? Ask God to prune those away today so you can produce good fruit.

Download Your Journal Page Here

Lord, examine our hearts and reveal any seeds of pride or sin taking root. Prune away what does not honor You, and nourish our souls so that our lives bloom with Your love and righteousness. Amen.