Fullness of Joy

In His presence is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11) I’m not sure I’ve so closely observed anyone who exudes the truth of this more than my son, Ben. God is Ben’s go to. Even as a little boy, he seemed to have God on his mind so often. He’d come to me with spiritual thoughtsContinue reading “Fullness of Joy”

When you remember there’s a wedding coming…

Kentucky lost one of its best basketball players to the NBA yesterday, Reed Sheppard. My son, Ben, is a HUGE Kentucky fan.He was pretty upset when he read the news. But then. He looks up from his phone and gets the biggest smile, and says, “But I’m getting married.” And a week from Saturday, BenContinue reading “When you remember there’s a wedding coming…”

Stopping the up and the down

The seventy return to tell Jesus “even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (Luke 10:9) Those who had been sent out came back amazed at what had happened. Their eyes had seen the power of God at work through them. But Jesus tells them “do not rejoice because the spirits are subjectContinue reading “Stopping the up and the down”

Need some peace??

I’m a slow learner, but I can say with certainty, peace comes not from “fixed” circumstances -but rather from a heart fixed on God. Specifically, to find peace, we must keep our thoughts fixed on Who He Is more than what we observe Him to do. For if we tie our peace only to whatContinue reading “Need some peace??”

Silence

Silence. That day after the Savior had died. The pounding of the nails,the jeers of the crowd, His cries of pain. Now Silent. His body in the tomb. What now? They surely longed to hear His comforting voice. But Silence. They had left jobs, families, everything to follow Him. Now what? Silence. Nothing.But.Silence. Confused, afraid,Continue reading “Silence”

But even now…

In John 11, her brother, Lazarus, had died and Martha sits mourning with friends and her sister, Mary. They are told Jesus is coming. Martha bursts out of the house and goes to meet Him. She ran to Jesus. Martha is absolutely devastated over her brother’s death, but she STILL ran to Jesus. She saysContinue reading “But even now…”

Hope when you feel like you have none….

Yesterday, we had an unexpected death in our family. I had to tell my mom, who only lost my Daddy a few weeks ago, that her dear brother had passed away. Tears filled my eyes.I fumbled for words.I prayed. And my mind tried to make sense of it all. And this morning, I was remindedContinue reading “Hope when you feel like you have none….”

Monday Morning Hope

It’s not all up to you! Feeling burdened and overwhelmed this Monday morning? Remember- We have one job—to trust and obey the One who is powerfully at work in this world. Everything else is His job! Hallelujah! It’s not all up to us! The author of Hebrews explains that Jesus is the perfect priest ofContinue reading “Monday Morning Hope”

Fool-Proof Exercise

About this time every year, I start thinking about diet and exercise. Anybody else? But you know, the Bible says strenuous spiritual exercise is better than physical exercise. And if ever we need to be spiritually strong, it’s now, in these crazy times we are living. Paul says to “exercise yourself toward godliness” (4:7). TheContinue reading “Fool-Proof Exercise”

Keep Asking

No doubt, this Christmas, many of us will see, or think about, friends and family for whom we have prayed for years. Many of us are facing situations that threaten to steal our joy. Honestly, I’ve grown tired of my own asking about some things in my life. I’ve prayed and asked and, at times,Continue reading “Keep Asking”

Is God REALLY with us?

Our hearts were made to long for God to be with us. Perhaps, that’s why even unbelievers find themselves drawn to the wonders of Christmas-time. But this world has a way of telling us all, that God is not with us. The evil one tries to convince us He doesn’t exist or just doesn’t care.Continue reading “Is God REALLY with us?”

Truth To Hold On To

Newly Re-Released! If ever I have someone respond to the gospel, it is most often through reading or hearing my story. Many read my book because they are drawn to the love story of my first marriage. Others are curious about the tragedy of what happened. But ultimately, many have told me they have beenContinue reading “Truth To Hold On To”

The Goodness of UNEXPLAINABLE God

So many, who so powerfully and effectively preach and teach the Word, actually have to live it while walking really hard roads. This seems inherently unfair. Couldn’t they be immune from problems and pain? Why do they get cancer, and rebellious kids, and unfaithful spouses? Why wouldn’t a Mighty God protect those who seek Him,Continue reading “The Goodness of UNEXPLAINABLE God”

The Encouragement of Prophecy in Matthew 24

I’ve been pondering it for days. Years really. For every time I read Matthew 24, I come away thinking, I don’t clearly understand. But this time, as I work through commentaries and pray through it all, one suggestion strikes me as certainly plausible. Perhaps the Word, Jesus, in talking about the Second Coming is intentionallyContinue reading “The Encouragement of Prophecy in Matthew 24”

Take Heart. Jesus is doing what He came to do!

The Pharisees and Sadducees try to trip Jesus up with their questioning but He remains steady and wise in His answers, completely in control. Completely in control. The Savior had told His disciples He was headed to die, and the religious leaders and Roman officials, who thought they had power, had no power in theContinue reading “Take Heart. Jesus is doing what He came to do!”

It’s embarrassing to moms everywhere…

Jesus clearly tells his disciples he will be condemned to death and will rise on the third day (Matt 20:17-19). And you’d expect to read of the disciples awe-filled response. But instead, the mother of two of the disciples, James and John, starts lobbying for her sons to have prominent seating in the Kingdom. It’sContinue reading “It’s embarrassing to moms everywhere…”

Pain Places

I originally shared this several years ago, but felt led to share it again for myself, and maybe for someone else who stumbles across it today. I still live in the same town where my first husband took his life. My life still takes me to the place where the detectives told me they hadContinue reading “Pain Places”

Spoiler ALERT: The Church Prevails!

The Church will stand! The gates of Hades will not prevail against it! (Matt 16:18) Oh, I know, our culture opposes so many things about the Church. And we’ve seen those who lead churches compromise with our ungodly culture, forsake Biblical truth, and fall into scandal. It can be disheartening to say the least. ButContinue reading “Spoiler ALERT: The Church Prevails!”

Because of Who He is – All of the Word…

As Jesus stands in a city surrounded by throngs of idols, He asks His disciples who others say that He is (Matt 16:13) to which they give various answers. Jesus presses further and says, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt 16:15) Peter famously replies, “You are the Christ, the Son of theContinue reading “Because of Who He is – All of the Word…”