Tag Archives: hold on

I woke up early thinking of those I love in this hard world…

I woke up early thinking about my young adults, and several others that I love like my own. They are trying to make big decisions in a hard world. They are fighting discouragement as many of the normal things, we who are older, took for granted, now seem so very far out of reach. TheyContinue reading “I woke up early thinking of those I love in this hard world…”

Unexpected, hard ways…

Matthews gospel records the miraculous birth of the Savior. (Matt 1:18-25) The oh-so familiar story has been the subject of countless movies, books and church programs. And we often, breeze past these verses. But Jesus did come. Prophecy was fulfilled. God sent His Son to us! And if this were not true, there would beContinue reading “Unexpected, hard ways…”

One thing that defeats FEAR!

There are so many things in this world right now, that tempt us to fear. I’m sick of seeing the enemy rob us of peace because we are distracted, discouraged, and gripped by fear. The enemy really uses that. But here’s one thing I’ve learned that has disarmed him time and time again in myContinue reading “One thing that defeats FEAR!”

I’m Not Enough For My Kids

I’ll be sharing with young moms this morning and tonight at First Baptist Concord. I’d appreciate your prayers. As I think of that, I’ll share something God laid on my heart several years ago— I’m Not Enough For My Kids What feels like a long time ago now, a squirmy, wet, beautiful, little creature wasContinue reading “I’m Not Enough For My Kids”

Don’t run ahead in your own strength

His fame grew. The crowds pressed. There was so much ministry to be done. So many lessons for the Savior to teach. And what did He do? He withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. (Luke 5:16). So often, I see needs….So many good things to do. And too often, I run ahead in my ownContinue reading “Don’t run ahead in your own strength”

Even When We Don’t Understand

To watch someone suffer pain and hold on to God, knowing He could’ve stopped it, but chose not to, is truly a holy thing to witness. My words don’t seem worthy to even attempt to describe such. Yet, little has encouraged my faith as much as this story has. It’s one I’ve closely watched unfoldContinue reading “Even When We Don’t Understand”

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…

Just over a year ago, an early morning message took my breath away. A mom, who loves Jesus, serves the Lord with her husband in ministry, and who had sat with me at ballgames as we watched our daughters cheer, messaged to let me know her daughter was tragically killed the night before. Tears filledContinue reading “Hope, when you feel like you have none…”

So much help for the hard stuff… (parents)

Fathers, do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged (Col 3:20). The Enduring Word warns, “Children who grow up with parents who provoke them will become discouraged. They will not feel the love and the support from their parents like they should, and they will come to believe that the whole world is againstContinue reading “So much help for the hard stuff… (parents)”

Are you grieving the better days of this country?

This morning, I’m thinking back to words my sister-in-law said to me 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 something that struck meContinue reading “Are you grieving the better days of this country?”

Because marriage is so good and so hard—

I’ve been posting about marriage the past couple of days. Wives submitting. Husbands loving. There’s been some emotion, and some strong opinions, to say the least. Because marriage is so GOOD and also so HARD, I’m sharing what God laid on my heart a while back— There absolutely will be the days your eyes meetContinue reading “Because marriage is so good and so hard—”

So, how well is your husband measuring up?

Husbands love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. (Col 3:19) And the Greek word Paul used for LOVE here is a really big deal— “Agapao does not denote affection or romantic attachment; it rather denotes caring love, a deliberate attitude of mind that concerns itself with the well-being of the one loved.”Continue reading “So, how well is your husband measuring up?”

Often, we won’t see the miracle until we do this…

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Col 3:18) Why didn’t Paul start with the next verse about husbands loving their wives? (Col 3:19) Does he have to be so direct? And aren’t words like “submit” out of style? Can’t we just ignore this? Not only is the call forContinue reading “Often, we won’t see the miracle until we do this…”

Our problems come when we live like this world is all there is.

Temporary problems can get us all down. But we need to have our theology straight in order to not get consumed by them. There have always been those who want to take away from the Bible and those who want to add to it. When Paul wrote his letter, many of the Christians in ColosseContinue reading “Our problems come when we live like this world is all there is.”

Beware of false teachers who combine worldly philosophies with the gospel.

Beware. Paul said, “Beware”. “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Col 2:8) The false teachers of Paul’s day were combining worldly philosophies with the gospel and people were being deceived. This deceitContinue reading “Beware of false teachers who combine worldly philosophies with the gospel.”

For Those in the Battle

But each of them will tell you their strength is not their own.  Human love would have walked away long ago. Jesus is the source of their strength and their love.  Daily they run to and place their hope in the One True King who will right all the wrongs, heal all the wounds andContinue reading “For Those in the Battle”

Words from the Old Preacher Teacher

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 “Words from the Old Preacher Teacher”

So very thirsty…for hope.

There seems to be profound pain in people all around us and in our own lives too. Rarely is anything I write shared more than those posts dealing with struggles and pain. We are a people walking in a world full of trouble —so very thirsty for hope. No one is immune.Christians are not immune.Continue reading “So very thirsty…for hope.”

God is doing what He promised.

The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”. (Luke 18:27) No seriously, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27) Lately, I see so much that seems impossible. Will our country ever come together in unity? Will we stop celebrating what God calls sin? You know theContinue reading “God is doing what He promised.”