When the hard things pile up…

Sometimes, the hard things pile up, and we can feel like Job. Even those who don’t read the Bible know about the tragedies of Job. In the midst of it all, the Bible tells us, Job walked forward, but could not see God. He looked backward, but could not perceive Him. (Job 23:8) Where wasContinue reading “When the hard things pile up…”

How do we “take heart” in this hard world?

Clearly there are lots of things to concern us about this world we are living in. The latest opinion polls show everyone, in just about every demographic, seems to be stressed about the political and economic climate. Stressed. And for Christ followers, this anti-biblical culture is greatly adding to our concerns-especially for our kids andContinue reading “How do we “take heart” in this hard world?”

Some questions I’m asking myself.

If I’m trying to please men, I can’t walk worthy of the God who calls me. (Read Thessalonians 2:4-12) It’s so easy to want others to affirm us, to like us, to praise us. We long for position and power. And those in ministry are not immune. Book sales, social media likes, twitter followers, speakingContinue reading “Some questions I’m asking myself.”

Have you noticed this?

It’s so easy, especially this month, as our world so lavishly, every-where-you-turn, celebrates sin to think, “I’m in the world but not of it” (John 17:15). But it’s so easy, for the evil ways of this world to get into us and for our sins to become acceptable and unnoticed. By us! Let’s not forget,Continue reading “Have you noticed this?”

The thing is…I trust God more than me.

I’m sad. I just read a post by a woman who used to work at my children’s Christian school. Their CHRISTIAN school. This woman was gushingly celebrating her lesbian couple friends, saying she’s “never witnessed a love like theirs” and characterized their relationship as a “kind of holiness”. This woman has heard truth, but sheContinue reading “The thing is…I trust God more than me.”

Jesus. Not the latest worldly solution.

Go ahead and look in the mirror.You cannot trust that person. You probably already know that.Maybe you’ve been trying to deny it. Jesus told the parable in Luke 18 to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt…(Luke 18:9) Those two things—trusting in yourself and treating others with contemptContinue reading “Jesus. Not the latest worldly solution.”

God’s Ways >Culture and the Lightyear Movie

I’m thankful God created us with feelings and opinions, but He never intended for us to be ruled by them, or to walk in the dictates of our own hearts, while forsaking His instruction (Jer 9:13-14). There is an epidemic of this in our culture. We are constantly bombarded by those who trust their feelingsContinue reading “God’s Ways >Culture and the Lightyear Movie”

Many of us are grieving…

This morning, I’m thinking back to words my sister-in-law said to me late last year as we prepared for a baby shower. They are increasingly true. Before all the guests arrived, Shauna, who is a prayer warrior and dear friend to me, talked about all that is going on in our world. She said somethingContinue reading “Many of us are grieving…”

When It’s Dark

We grabbed our bag chairs out of the back of the truck and walked toward the trail. Rain was dripping from the trees and night was coming. We weren’t exactly sure what to expect, but for years we had heard about the mysterious, beautiful synchronous fireflies in our nearby Smoky Mountains. We walked a shortContinue reading “When It’s Dark”

55 Years. One Man. One Woman.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down ones’ life for his friends.” John 15:13 Oswald Chamber explains, “Sacrifice is the Holy Spirits’ ultimate expression of love.” Marriage tends to have a way of teaching us this kind of sacrificial love. God sure knew what He was doing when HeContinue reading “55 Years. One Man. One Woman.”

Want to change this world?

We can want physical change, and social change, and all sorts of change, but if we don’t have a changed heart that runs to Jesus, none of that change matters. If our goal is to change the world for any cause other than Christ—political, social or physical, we are missing the mark and the changesContinue reading “Want to change this world?”

Engage. Speak Up.

I get it. I really do. There are times we all need to pull away from the news and this crazy world and be refreshed with truth and rest. However, it’s not okay to stick our heads in the sand and leave them there! The truth is, it’s not realistic nor is it helpful toContinue reading “Engage. Speak Up.”

This world is hard but we still have SUCH HOPE!

As I mentioned before, I come from a long line of professional worriers; and with the world as it is -moral decay, economic decline, rumors of food shortages, school shootings, international unrest, and a giant lack of leadership, it doesn’t take any of us very long to find something to worry about! But my eyesContinue reading “This world is hard but we still have SUCH HOPE!”

God Help Us

These photos were taken at real events, one called “Drag them to Pride” where transgendered persons danced on stages as young children were encouraged to stuff money in their underwear while signs flashed perverted messages that read it’s “not gonna lick itself”. Are you sickened? Is this not child abuse? How can we sit idlyContinue reading “God Help Us”

Chips, Salsa & a Picture of God.

I sat trying to restrain myself from the bowl of chips and salsa when it happened. She poked my arm and looked up at me proclaiming, “THIS is a picture of God.” She was only four then, and proudly held up her crayon drawing– a large squiggly face with two odd-shaped, bulging eyes. Speechless, forContinue reading “Chips, Salsa & a Picture of God.”

Beware. Pride Month.

As we come to what some individuals and corporations are celebrating as “Pride Month”, let’s be careful. Let’s be careful to walk in truth, as defined by the Bible. Let’s understand there is no “my truth” and “your truth.” Let’s understand the danger of the popular phrase -“I’m so happy you found your truth”. TheseContinue reading “Beware. Pride Month.”

I almost sent that text…

I almost sent that text.But I deleted it instead. The words I had rehearsed in my mind, didn’t roll off my tongue.I kept my mouth shut. God knows what I had in mind. He knows the old me who could compose a quick, insulting comeback and be proud of the wounding I would inflict. ButContinue reading “I almost sent that text…”

Where hope is still found…

I needed to read these words from the old preacher-teacher, Oswald Chambers, today (pictured with his daughter)– “Put Trust in God First. Our Lord never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutelyContinue reading “Where hope is still found…”