Meister Eckhardt, a German theologian from the 13th Century once said, “If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” If you’re like me, your thank you prayers are less frequent than your “please fix, heal, help, and provide, etc.” prayers. It’s so easy to set aside all God has done…
On Monday, I invited you to take the Philippians’ Challenge: Take a fast from the news and from your Twitter feed until after the mid-term elections. Grab a journal and make a list of things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable each day. Invite your family to have good news conversations at…
I’ve had two times in my life when I found myself in situations that appeared hopeless. They were times when God’s “no” to my perceived “need” seemed like more than I could endure. The first time, I whined and stomped my feet like a spoiled child and then I listened to the lies of this…
I was about five years old when my parents convinced me to ride a Ferris Wheel. As the car inched upward … I stopped breathing as the grip of fear overwhelmed me! My dad frantically waved at the ride operator, screaming at him to stop the giant rotating hoop and let us off after only one…
I’ve been down off the mountain literally and figuratively for a little over a week. Last weekend, I flew to Denver to spend a few days with beautiful blogger friends that I affectionately call, “My People.” They are friends, encouragers, cheerleaders, and prayer warriors. In a short 48 hours, we laughed until our abs hurt, cried big…
I was afraid and I hated it! I knew I had a need to reject fear but felt helpless to change… We went years without traveling far because I was too afraid to get on an airplane. Praise God, I just returned from spending last weekend in Denver with beautiful friends. I failed to set…
I want to know the truth. No. Truth is so important to me, it feels more like a need than a want. I have learned however that my need to know the truth can be challenging in a world where truth is commonly believed to be relative. Where what’s true for me isn’t necessarily true…
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…
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…
