Recently one of my favorite young moms, I’ll call her Ann, called me to talk. She was struggling over a meltdown that had happened with her little one. The morning started like any other, except . . . she hadn’t slept well and an important work deadline had her in more of a hurry than…
Ooh, she was angry. I don’t know why. I don’t even know who. But I could hear her shrieks coming from down the street. She was angry and wanted everyone to know it. I don’t know whether it worked for her or not but temper tantrums and angry outbursts typically cause more problems than they…
Guilt. You’ve got it. You know, that thing the enemy uses to label you a failure . . . to hold you back and defeat you. Everyone has something maybe even several somethings. I thought about making a list of examples but that would only be a distraction. All that matters is what’s on your list. I…
I’m overwhelmed by God’s patient love for countless reasons, but there’s one time that stands out in my mind and flattens me. Years ago, I had a want. It wasn’t a bad want. In fact, I would say it was a good want. But it was not something God wanted for me. At least not at that…
The other day while I was praying, I asked the Lord what He wanted me to share with you, and I felt Him say, “Tell them they’re not good enough.” “Lord, don’t You want me to tell them they are good enough.” “No. Tell them they’re not good enough.” “Lord, that will not help my…
Are you waiting on God to make something beautiful out of your mess? To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own…
The dictionary defines Sin as … deliberate disobedience to the known will of God. But that is a watered-down meaning of sin. If we believe that only deliberate disobedience is sin, it’s easy for us to think of ourselves as good. Are you seeing a little self-righteousness here? And if we don’t see our sin … we…
You loved big and now you’re left hurt and angry. Yesterday we talked about surviving rejection, but the truth is Jesus didn’t tell us to simply survive . . . He told us to forgive and love. “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live…
“I’ll never be a non-stumbler. I’ll be a forgiven stumbler, but never a non-stumbler.” ~Toby Mac Picture this… Yesterday was one of those days you stumbled so badly that you stumbled into bed relieved it was over. You wanted to “shake it off” like Taylor Swift, or “let it go” like Elsa; but the stumbles were huge. You said…
Churches are full a people who are trying to be “good Christians.” There are a more than a few who believe they are succeeding; at least it’s what they want to believe and more than that . . . it’s what they want everyone else to believe. But the Psalmist wrote, “All have turned away, all…
Are you ready to take an honest look at your friendships? It’s not easy. But it is important. If you decide you are investing in relationships with people who are not being true friends to you, it’s important to know that you don’t have to end those relationships. You may simply guard your heart and…
I have a confession to make. I’m getting a personal opportunity to live out my writing. Getting that tap on the shoulder and Holy Spirit whisper reminding that I’ve lost my focus, and thinking about myself again. I’ve written about being thankful for God’s love and fretted about: How can I grow my readership? How…
