Last Friday night as terrorists hit Paris . . . fear hit the hearts and minds of people around the world once again. And peace feels impossible. Or maybe it’s more personal for you: The doctor’s prognosis is grim. And peace feels impossible. Your child’s behavior is a daily battle. And peace feels impossible. The…
I like to know the answers. I want to understand. I’m a student. When I’m confused I try to figure things out. And that works most of the time . . . but it doesn’t work with God. Living by faith means He is beyond my understanding. I used to struggle with that. I was…
My parents named me – Deborah Ruth Samuel. I know . . . you can’t get any more Old Testament than that. The Jewish side of the family was thrilled. Quite certain I would leave Christianity and return to the true faith. Of course, their hopes were dashed when I married a Protestant pastor. I’m…
What is justice? It is fairness of rights and punishment of wrongs. Justice flows from the heart of God. He is the Rock; His deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is. Deuteronomy 32:4 “This means He is fair and impartial. The…
What do you think about grace? Some define it as God’s undeserved favor. Others like to say, “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.” The dictionary says: For Christians – The free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. I like to make it easier than that….
I like to know the boundaries. What works. What doesn’t. Then I usually move the boundaries in just a bit for extra safety. Why? Because inside the boundaries I’m free to be me. I don’t have to worry about disasters or their consequences. I’m sure I sound terribly boring to you risk takers, but I’ve…
Are you breathing in wonderful? Remembering to look at your day through a lens of grace? I can easily make a mess out of the present by looking to the past with a heavy heart. But the truth is a good pity party has never really done me any good. All it does is give my emotions the freedom…
Are you waiting on God to make something beautiful out of your mess? To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own…
When your mess gets exposed, whether it is of your own making or not, it’s impossible to look good. The painful truth is that an exposed mess leaves us open to judgment, criticism, gossip… and the list goes on. Talk about feeling vulnerable! I’ve found it surprising though that an exposed life is better. It may not feel like it right away….
I was once described as “unflappable.” Unflappable! Are you kidding? Not even close. Rev says I am, “Eight years ago when you sat in the Cardiac surgery waiting room not knowing whether I would live or die, you were unflappable.” “Maybe. But two years earlier I was undone. Broken.“ Then Rev reminds me, “It’s when we are undone that God is…
God says “no.” Now what? What are you supposed to do when you feel like God is the One who allowed your broken heart? It is your heart’s desire. And the Bible says,… Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4 But for reasons beyond your ability to understand…
[Tweet “”A baby is born with a need to be loved . . . and never outgrows it.” ~Frank A. Clark, The Country Parson”] Everyone is born with an inherent need to be loved . . . this complex feeling that’s hard to explain. From first inhale to final exhale and beyond you and I were created for love….
