What do you do when you feel like God is the One who is allowing your pain and suffering? You’ve prayed to get well, to be free of pain, for a healed relationship . . . for the desire of your heart. The Bible says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4…
“Be afraid. Be very afraid.” (The Movie – The Fly, 1986) Those words have been repeated again and again. And even if the actual quote isn’t being reiterated . . . it can seem like there is an intentional effort by the enemy to overwhelm us all with anxiety and fear. If you’re a frequent…
Although it happened many years ago, I can still remember it like it took place yesterday. I was involved in a rather intense Bible Study group discussion about God’s characteristics and qualities. And I was passionate about the information and faith that inspired my side of the conversation. I remember saying, “my God is…” And…
The first week in August is Simplify Your Life Week. Simplify Your Life Week is observed during [the first week of] August each year. This holiday encourages those who need to refocus their lives and declutter – that doesn’t just mean objects. The idea is to eliminate anything that causes stress or anxiety. Most of us…
I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. Jeremiah 32:40 It sounds perfect, doesn’t it? David Jeremiah wrote the following about worship… “Since the days of our first parents in…
How humble are you? It sounds like a trick question doesn’t it? The truth is … the measure of our humility will always be in direct proportion to what we believe to be the truths about God. Simply put – greater God equals lesser me and that translates into humility. So, to inspire myself toward…
The other night, I realized how badly I need some good news … whisperings of hope. My heart is heavy from all the sadness and the constant drip drip drip of gloom and doom forecasts of the future. Martin Luther wrote.. “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” It’s funny. I…
15 years ago today, I was curled up at the foot of our bed … I cried until my tears ran dry. I pleaded and prayed … asking God to change hearts and change the situation. I hoped with faith that it would be days, weeks, even months, but not years. I longed for the…
How would you define the word “truth?” I always hate when the dictionary defines a word by using a variation of the word. Truth is: the quality or state of being true. that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality. a fact or belief that is accepted as truth. Of course, that…
Recently, someone asked me what my blog is about and after saying, “It’s about living at the intersection of faith and life,” Then I hesitated. I didn’t know what to say next. What is my blog about and why do I write day after day? I decided that’s a question I should be able to…
Is it hard for you to be honest with God? Do you struggle to pour out feelings of impatience or frustration? Are you able to tell Him when you’re losing hope because your problem persists and you wonder if things will ever change even though you’ve prayed and prayed and prayed? I love that God…
It seems fewer churches are observing or even talking about the season of Lent anymore and I’ve read several posts and articles by people who talk about the reasons it is unnecessary. And although I don’t know that I’d use the word “necessary” to describe the Lenten season and I’m definitely not here to give…
Do you remember being a child and longing for the freedom you believed you’d finally have once you became an adult? Then you grew up and discovered that you enjoyed way more freedom as a child than you have now. There are more demands on your time, more expectations, more work … more everything. Freedom…
Christmas is just days away and as I read through and lift up the prayer requests left on the Blessing Counters Prayer Page, I can’t help but notice how families seem to have two areas of pain and concern that rise to the top … especially at this time of the year. Finances and relationships….
If someone asked you, “How would you describe God’s glory?” What would you say? You and I live in a world full of suffering and conflict … a world that desperately needs the truth about God. And because of that, I want everyone to know about a glorious righteous God who transforms broken and hurting…
I’ve recently come to the conclusion that the enemy has one primary form of tempting God’s children. It’s the same thing he’s used since the Garden… “Did God really say…” Genesis 3:1a He is all about tempting us to doubt. Doubt God. Doubt the Bible. Doubt Jesus. And if all else fails … he wants you to doubt…
The dictionary defines “hope” as… To cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true – as in hope for a promotion or hope for things to go well. To trust. To desire with an expectation of obtaining, accomplishing, or fulfilling. To expect with confidence. So, of course, that made me wonder……
I get religion. It’s always been a part of my life. I grew up in church, attended parochial schools, became a church organist in high school, a parochial teacher after college, and I married a minister. Like a piece of modeling clay, I was poked here and pinched there until I was shaped into what…
You Need to Answer the Most Important Question about Faith -Someone attacked my faith on social media and it inspired me to publicly ask and answer the most important question about faith. I invite you to answer it too… #religion #faith #atheism #thoughtprovokingquestion #questionaboutfaith
Does it feel like the summer passed by in a blink? Our summer break was shortened because of last year’s numerous snow days. So, it seems even harder to believe that it’s time … already! Whether you’ve taken your first day of school photos or you have a few more days or weeks of anticipation … going…
I can be patient with people most of the time. It’s a little easier now that our children are grown. Although, I can still remember how daily demands and interruptions, bad attitudes (theirs and mine) and plain old mom exhaustion made for more than the occasional loss of my desired calm composed kindness. Yep, being…
