How are you doing with the whole patience thing? I think consistently practicing patience is one of life’s most difficult challenges. Whether I’m waiting in a long check out line, stuck in a doctor’s waiting room or anxious for the results of medical tests, dealing with an irritating individual or waiting for the answer to…
3 ways to keep my hope anchored on the truth when the world shouts louder than God’s gentle whisper? When I need to remember that God never changes.
When I tell you I’m a mess, I’m admitting I’m a sinner … I’m not saying it’s okay. When I say that my life is a mess, I’m recognizing that I am living out the consequences of my sin and the sins of the people around me … every single day. When I talk about…
I’m not a fan of many of the sayings you typically find on church signs. You know. Things like… Don’t tell God how big your fear is, tell your fear how big your God is. F.E.A.R. – False Evidence Appearing Real Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death. Although there may be…
We don’t know what Jesus did on Wednesday of Holy Week. It is the only day we don’t have an account of His words or activity. Jesus knew what the next few days would bring and I want to follow His example… When I’m stretched by people and problems. When days ahead promise to be…
Waiting is my favorite … said no one ever! Entire industries have been developed because we want what they want and we don’t want to wait for it! We hate waiting in lines. Traffic jams make our heads spin around. We pull our phones out to pass the time in waiting rooms and still we…
I was supposed to read the Bible from cover to cover in college while taking the required Old Testament 1 & 2 and New Testament … I have to be honest with you and say it was a daunting task I never quite accomplished. I’ve spent most of my adult life attending church and participating…
We all want to be happy! Something the dictionary defines as a state of well-being or contentment. Yet, I’m not sure that’s the definition most of us are trying to attain. Why? Because then happiness wouldn’t be something to be attained in the next big thing… The next vacation, purchase, or relationship. If happiness is…
“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love …” ~Marcus Aurelius I want to LIVE until I die! I want to embrace today with joy and enthusiasm and boldly live it like the gift it is! I think most of us want…
I finished reading the Old Testament this week. Each time I work my way through the books of the Law, the historical books, the Psalms, and the prophets … I am overwhelmed with gratitude that the Lord of the universe wants us to know Him. Really KNOW Him! And now, I’m settling in and sitting…
Recently, I read a Gallup Poll Article – Record Few Americans Believe Bible Is Literal Word of God “Fewer than one in four Americans (24%) now believe the Bible is “the actual word of God, and is to be taken literally, word for word,” similar to the 26% who view it as “a book of…
“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…
I recently wrote the following about my faith: If I’m wrong and there is no God, if Jesus isn’t the Way, Truth, and Life … I wouldn’t change a thing. My life has been full of hope, unexpected joy, impossible to understand peace, indescribable strength when I needed it most, and miraculous healing. I’m blessed. My life is…
If you didn’t actually speak words telling someone you’re a Christian, would they be able to tell just by watching that you’re a follower of Jesus and being changed by God? I’m not asking if you tell them which church you attend or if you invite them to join you next Sunday, I’m inviting you…
I can’t believe we’ve come to the end of The Faith Project. I’ll never come to the end of learning and growing . . . but this week closes out my year of digging deep and writing about twelve themes I believe are important parts of a life of faith. Freedom Love Wisdom Prayer Humility Patience Stillness…
I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas celebration yesterday. The day may be over but my prayer is that your joy will continue into the new year. So this is it, the last week of The Faith Project. Before we wrap up 2016, I want to close the December with a review of what I learned about…
I’d lost my joy. Jesus said, “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.” John 10:10 And it felt like our family had been in his cross-hairs. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get through the holidays. I could fake happiness at moments but inside I felt stunned and joyless. Maybe you remember John…
When was the last time you laughed for pure joy because of Jesus? This week, I’ve worried about how I’m going to have everything ready in just a little over a week. What should I buy that hard to shop for someone to show them how important they are to my heart? Will I have the…
Are you ready to surprise and impress your family and friends with some fun Christmas facts? I thought it might be fun to compile a list of as many fun details about our Christmas beliefs and traditions as I could find. All set? Good! Let’s go… The History of Christmas – the Holiday 1. Christmas,…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. A little less than two weeks until Christmas but in many households joy-filled wonderful is not filling the air. I’ve heard from a number of people who feel there is not enough time, money, or energy to see them through to the end of the year. They’re exhausted…
I was undone. I doubted I would ever be happy again. At the time I couldn’t see the way God was working in and through my pain to patiently and lovingly give me something more precious than my lost happiness. God knew my greatest need was not happiness. My greatest need was joy. I believe…
