If feeling out of control and afraid were sports, I’d have Olympic medals. It’s not surprising. Worry is fear’s counterpart and I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t challenged by fear. Have you noticed most things we fear and worry about are initiated by feelings of helplessness? We feel the need…
Is there anyone who doesn’t need a blessing? What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about needing a blessing? The words “bless, blessed, or blessing” can be found in the New Living Translation of the Bible 427 times. The first is in the first chapter of Genesis, and the last is…
I don’t know about you, but I can be my own worst enemy. Why is it so much easier to think about wh0 I’m not rather than remembering God’s unchanging truth about who I am? You’d think that after years of living with this bad habit, I’d learn to consistently take my negative thoughts captive…
When life is hard and it feels like our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling the enemy of our souls plants his favorite seed of doubt… “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1) And behind those words are the subtle doubt enticing questions… Jeremiah wrote these words after the Babylonians attacked, tortured, killed, and captured God’s…
Happy New Year! I’m so excited to tell you about our focus here at Counting My Blessings this year. I started praying and thinking about it months ago. And oh, how our gracious God knew what I would need, and as always . . . I truly pray that it blesses you too. I’ve shared…
When is the last time God took your breath away? When was the last time you were so overwhelmed by who He is and all He does that you wanted to fall to your knees in awe and wonder? I’ve been thinking a lot about the miracle of that first Christmas. And I wonder if,…
I don’t like messy. But a lot of life is messy, isn’t it? Messy settings. Messy relationships. Messy circumstances. Life is messy. Jesus said… “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 And how did Jesus overcome the world . . ….
God’s love for you is perfect and unfailing! “Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you.” ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf As we get closer to Christmas, I want to look away from the trappings of the holiday…
“I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast!And when I run I feel His pleasure.” ~Eric Liddell I’m not fast. I was the kid who was picked last for every team, but… Like Eric Liddell and like you . . . God made me one of a kind for…
How often do you feel like you need a do-over? An opportunity to try again? Here’s a short list of some of the things I do that make me want a do-over: Words I’ve spoken that I’d like to inhale or say differently. Thoughts I’ve allowed to lead me down a path of discouragement. Procrastination…
Jesus said, “I AM the Messiah.” (John 4:26) He said, “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6) And when Jesus asked Peter what he believed about Him, Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) So, today I’m taking a closer look and asking myself…
I was finishing my regular morning Bible Study and prayer time when I paused to ask God what He wanted me to write . . . what He wanted me to share with you. And my spirit heard Him say… “Tell them how much I love them.” My initial response was… “Lord, don’t they already…
Do you ever feel insignificant? Do you feel like you’re trying hard to do your best yet you’re just not measuring up? Welcome to the club! The enemy of our souls wants us to believe that without popularity, possessions, prestige, and power . . . we are insignificant. But how did Jesus describe the enemy?…
One thing is certain in life . . . things change. Some love it and others find it terrifying. I think most of us get excited about positive changes but just the thought of unpleasant changes can make us anxious. If the season is difficult, hearing the words “this too shall pass” may be encouraging…
He is risen! The other day I woke up with the following words running through my mind. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” Luke wrote this account of Resurrection Morning: On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found…
What is the truth of the cross? The world says: Man is inherently good.The cross says: Man is a sinner in need of saving. The world says: You can be good enough to save yourself. The cross says: Only Jesus saves. The cross says: God’s love is so perfect and complete that He gave His…
I occasionally have bad mood days when I’ll look at Rev and say, “I don’t feel very lovable today.” And he always responds the same way. He’ll say, “I’ll bet you do!” As he wraps me in a big hug and holds me close. I know. It’s a little cheesy but it always makes me…
It’s a simple truth that love amplifies our vulnerability. Sometimes love gives us feelings of bliss and euphoria, and sometimes our love fails and it hurts . . . a lot. Most of us know what it feels like to experience a broken heart. I do. My heart has been broken. Maybe yours has been…
God loves you! You’ve heard it a million times or more. Maybe the first time was when your parents whispered it in your tiny newborn ear. Maybe you sat with a grandparent who assured you of God’s love and theirs. Maybe it was after you made a life-changing mess of your life and a friend…
Fourteen years ago, our friends started calling us a “high maintenance prayer family.” It seemed like we were experiencing one crisis after another. Some of the circumstances were the results of other people’s choices, a few caused by decisions we made, and some were simply health problems allowed by God. As is typical of life,…
Do you have things you consider “keepers”? Things you know you couldn’t leave behind if you were told to evacuate your home or community? I think we all have photos and other treasures we cherish. But I think our greatest treasures are the people we love. Did you know that God considers you a “keeper”? You…
