As I worked on Monday’s post, Jesus’ Commandments and Why You Need to Know Them, I can honestly tell you I found myself squirming a little. Let me explain… I think it’s possible when you and I use the original Ten Commandments as our guide for right and wrong, to come to the conclusion that…
When I’m in the middle of a crisis and I need God’s strength and peace, it’s easy for me to cry out and ask God to intervene in my chaos and help me through. But I’m learning something important… When I stop at the beginning of a crisis and remember all the ways God has…
I can relive that morning in my head like it happened yesterday… I shuffled out of the bedroom hoping to retrieve a cup of coffee to sip while I got ready for church. As I entered our family room, I found Rev propped up on the couch with ashen skin and blue lips. (I’d only…
Too many lives are destroyed by the overwhelming power of addiction. Too many families crumble because of the pain caused by addiction. Addiction is defined as a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance. Some researchers speak of two types of addictions: substance addictions (for example, alcoholism, drug abuse, and smoking); and process addictions (for example, gambling, spending, shopping eating, and sexual activity). Diagnosis…
In case you missed any of the first six posts from the Countdown to #1 Series – you can check them out here: 7 of the Best Verses to Inspire Your Worship of God 25 of the Best Ways to Love Yourself the Way God Wants The Best Ways to Teach Your Child Humble Confidence…
I had no idea how many of you, like me, struggle to live one day at a time. Trusting and following God’s will for today without dwelling on the past or the future may be one of our greatest challenges. Truthfully, I shouldn’t have been surprised! I don’t know anyone over the age of five…
“He is a portion that exactly and directly suits the condition of the soul. The desires of the soul, and the necessities of the soul, and the wants of the soul, and the longings of the soul, and the prayers of the soul. The soul can crave nothing, nor wish for nothing, but what is…
It’s hard to think about the reality of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. I’ll never forget the first time I watched The Passion of the Christ. I’d read Scripture and knew the story well but it was always easier to imagine the scene through cleaned up artwork and Sunday School drawings. I don’t…
Do you ever go into your prayer time at a loss for words? I can remember times when I felt so overwhelmed by life that I didn’t know where to begin. I wanted to lean into the Lord in prayer but I just had no words. Since I thought there might be a possibility you…
I should have known it would happen. It happens almost every time. And when I anticipate it, I seem to handle it better. But this time, I wasn’t paying attention. I wasn’t prepared. What’s “it?” A spiritual battle! I’ve been in a battle ever since I published the post — This is for You –…
Who would have thought that a 17th Century monk, faithfully working in the kitchen in a small monastery with an unwavering attitude of devotion could touch the hearts and minds of countless believers for generations? The next time you question whether or not anything you’re doing matters … stop and remember Brother Lawrence. After spending…
I’ve had a few times in my life when I’ve felt God’s voice loud and clear. Like the time He challenged my grumbling or the time He gave me a word of love for a specific person as I was driving to a speaking engagement. There was also the time that completely changed my view…
It’s holiday time! Thanksgiving through Christmas … that time of year when social media feeds are saturated with happy family photos. Do you ever wonder if they’re accurate images of truth behind the lens? Is everyone blissful or do all families have an Uncle Know-it-all, Aunt Opinionated, and Grandpa Why Can’t We Just Do Things…
I can’t say it’s necessarily the way I was taught as a child … it just seemed to evolve over time. I knew God had fully taken care of my salvation through Jesus sacrifice and that through faith in His amazing gift my eternal future was secure… But my here and now — that was…
Do you ever need to stop for a moment and remind yourself — it’s not about me? Yeah, me too! Today was one of those days. I have to admit as I prepared to write this all I could think was, “I got nothin’!” I can’t tell you how many words have been typed and…
Do you ever feel like you’re dragging around a weight? That’s how I started this week. My body ached and my thoughts were a swamp of past and present struggles. It was time to go to war! I don’t often pray out loud, but on this day I needed to hear the cries of my…
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…
Do you ever wonder if you are following God’s will for your life? Do you worry that you might be headed in the wrong direction? Do you wish God would write His plans on your to-do list? Yep, me too! Since his ordination, Rev has received calls to serve at various ministries and I’ve had…
As I’ve talked with you and read through your comments the last few weeks one truth continues to stand out… THE BATTLE IS REAL! The enemy is working overtime to discourage and silence God’s children. He’s using taunts like: Your efforts are fruitless. Look how you failed in the past, how can God use you….
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…
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people were easier? If every parent, child, sibling, spouse, neighbor, and friend could get along blissfully? But we don’t. Relationships are messy! And unfortunately, some end in brokenness. Everyone I know has had at least one relationship end unpleasantly and many that had ended painfully leaving heart scars behind. Because……
