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…
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…
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……
I’m sure you’re like me, in that some days you’re just not sure you’re strong enough to get out of bed and face the day. Maybe it’s physical limitations caused by pain or illness. Maybe it’s emotional. The thought of dealing with a person or problem feels overwhelming and makes you want to pull the…
It’s been a hard week. I’ve been sad. My heart hurts. Memories. What-ifs. What should have been. All thoughts I’ve surrender over and over again but then there are weeks like this one when a date on the calendar makes it harder. So, I’ve done more crying out this week. I’ve pleaded and asked God…
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…
I hate phone-trees. It’s embarrassing how quickly I get ugly while trying to talk to a computer voice that insists I follow her prompts while refusing to hear my request. I try to make myself feel better with the excuse . . . it’s only a computer. But if it goes on too long, I…
Even though things may slow down a bit in the summer it seems there are still plenty of things trying to distract me and pull me away from my time with the Lord. And I feel it! My heart craves HIM the Rock of my salvation! I need more of God! He is my shield…
