Do you ever feel like the darkness is winning? Sexuality is confused, misused, and abused. Wars and rumors of wars lead our newscasts unless there’s a more titillating scandal to report. Respect for those in leadership seems to be the exception, not the norm. Addiction has filtered into every segment of society. Babies continue to…
I can still remember the feeling like it happened yesterday. I desperately needed to pray but the cries of my heart were making it impossible for me to put my needs into words. I called Rev and sobbed, “I need you to come and pray with me.” And my partner in prayer as well as…
Yes, I’m aging. And although I can try to ignore it much of the time on a day like today when my number goes up another digit – well, it’s hard to let it go. Don’t get me wrong… I’m thankful for every year and continually amazed by all the ways God has blessed me…
It’s so easy to get caught up in the dailiness of life. I get busy just doing and living and somehow forget to fill moments with gratitude and thanksgiving. Oh, I can talk about it “real good” in this space but the doing it . . . yeah, that can get pushed aside by the…
“Sometimes when we get overwhelmed we forget how big God is.”~ AW Tozer It’s true, isn’t it? When hurricanes hit literally or figuratively it’s easy to get overwhelmed. One of the things I tend to forget when my life feels out of (my) control and I’m tangled in a web of confusion and frustration is that…
Who broke your heart? Was it your college crush? Your parent? Your best friend? Spouse? Child? Fiancé? Child? The truth . . . no matter how hard you and I try to avoid the pain, it’s impossible to get through life without experiencing the occasional broken heart. We can’t make everyone love us. There will be…
Jesus told His followers that they are the “Light of the World.” That includes you and me. And I love it but in all honesty, it stresses me out a little, too. Why does light shining make me anxious? Because sometimes I just don’t want to shine. Sometimes I feel dull and broken. And last…
Today’s is the last of the Summer Sizzle Blog Hop Series Posts. I’ll admit, I’m a little sad. This has been so much fun and I’ve loved introducing you to these dear friends. Today’s post is by my dear friend, Shannon Geurin. She has a story . . . about battle scars from the days…
Welcome to another post in The Summer Sizzle Blog Hop Series. It is an absolute blessing to introduce you to my friend, Valerie Murray. I am so very thankful God brought her into my life. If you’ve been visiting Counting My Blessings for a while, you know I’ve had a long hard journey through decades…
Welcome to week six of the Summer Sizzle Blog Hop Series. I have so loved sharing these amazing posts from faith-filled friends who encourage and bless me daily. This week I’m thrilled to introduce you to my friend, Lori Shumaker. I hardly know where to begin to tell you about Lori. I just love her…
Do you have anything in your life you’d do differently if you could get a do-over? I think everyone has lots of little things and maybe even a few big things they think . . . if only I had or if only I hadn’t. Yeah, me too. Of all the dos and don’ts, I…
Two weeks ago, when I told you all that I was taking a couple of weeks away . . . you were awesome, like always. I received so many encouraging comments telling me to get some good rest and enjoy my time off. Well… I did enjoy my time away, but it was anything but restful….
A photo, a smell, a melody . . . can trigger a memory and emotion. I’m an emotional Sanguine. So, my memories always come with an attached emotion. If fact, when Rev asks me if I remember an occasion, event, or travel experience my usual response is, “I don’t know, did I cry.” Happy tears….
Do you ever lie awake at night thinking, I don’t know what to do? You have a decision to make, a problem to solve, or a path to pursue and you’ve prayed, oh how you’ve prayed but you don’t feel like God is giving you clear direction. You want to know God’s will! So, you…
What do you think about prosperity theology? Prosperity theology (sometimes referred to as the prosperity gospel, the health and wealth gospel, or the gospel of success) is a belief among some Christians, who hold that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them, and that faith, positive speech, and donations…
When I’m struggling. When I don’t know what to do next. When I’m anxious about the path God is placing before me . . . I go to the Psalms. Because David penned words there that are raw and honest. It almost feels like I’m getting a peek at his personal journal. “Lord, I’m afraid….
Do you ever wonder whether you are following God’s will or plan for you? Do you worry that you might be headed in the wrong direction? Do you wish God would write His will for your day on your to-do list? Yep, me too! Since his ordination, Rev has received calls to serve at various…
I remember the year our older daughter left for college, our son started high school, and our little bit went off to her first day of kindergarten. I’d always been highly anxious (another word for worrier) anyway but with all of those changes happening at once . . . I became what some might refer to as…
You celebrated with family and friends. You shouted the victory cry, “He is risen! He is risen, indeed!” And today, before you go back to business as usual, stop a minute longer and bask in the blessing of the resurrection with quotes that change everything . . . not just for one spring day but every…
As you focus your heart and mind on Jesus suffering and death today… I want to ask – an important Good Friday question. How do you see Him? Pleading and praying in the Garden of Gethsemane? “My Father, if it is possible, do not give me this cup of suffering. But do what you want, not…
Have you ever gotten down on your knees and washed someone’s feet? No, I’m not talking about your three-year-old’s muddy little toes after an afternoon of puddle jumping . . . but the foot washing of all ages and sizes. Years ago, I attended a service with my son and daughter-in-love at the church where…
