Let’s don’t neglect to praise God in the midst of hard things…

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim 1:17) As Paul wrote those words in his letter to Timothy, I wonder if he sat his pen down, lifted his hands to Heaven and was overcome with praise to the Lord?Continue reading “Let’s don’t neglect to praise God in the midst of hard things…”

What God can do in and through a little life —World Prematurity Day.

It’s World Prematurity Day…seems the perfect time to share again what God can do in and through a little life, from my favorite preemie, my son Ben, he was just 2 lbs 12 ounces in the photo below—- We have so many choices and so many people telling us who to be or how toContinue reading “What God can do in and through a little life —World Prematurity Day.”

More than you imagined faith…

There seems to be an intimacy with God that can only be understood through the lens of trials and pain. It’s one thing to read about God’s faithfulness, but entirely another to walk with Him daily and see Him faithfully carry you through things you never imagined you’d ever get through. It’s one thing toContinue reading “More than you imagined faith…”

Need a little JOY?

I wish I could call Karen. I’d love to sit with her on her couch, open our Bibles, and pray as we did so many times over the years. Joy just oozed out of that precious woman. It truly did, and even as she lay dying. She was my friend and my mentor. I loveContinue reading “Need a little JOY?”

Peace when I’m overwhelmed…

When my heart is overwhelmed, when I long for peace, joy and hope, I know I can no longer look to this world. I have been led to the rock that is higher than I. (Ps 61:2) I’ve tasted and seen that He alone is good. I have been blessed to take refuge in Him.Continue reading “Peace when I’m overwhelmed…”

I want to be on the other side…

I want to be on the other side. You know the other side of the current problem impacting my life. I want to feel the rejoicing that comes AFTER the pain and worry have subsided. I know what that is like.I’ve seen God be faithful before. But right now.I’m in the “not yet”. I’m inContinue reading “I want to be on the other side…”

How do you keep going when life is crashing down?

What do you do when you get the phone call, the diagnosis, the news you never saw coming? What about the hard thing thet you thought wouldn’t still be this hard? What then? Are you destined to continually be consumed by the trouble and pain and spiral further downward into a pit of despairing emotions?Continue reading “How do you keep going when life is crashing down?”

Be Living Proof to a Lost World

When Christians lose hope, it’s a sign to the lost world that we don’t really believe what we say we believe. (See Phil 1:28-29) People who have lost hope are driven by fear. But what does fear look like in the day to day? It’s not that we often see fellow Christians running around screamingContinue reading “Be Living Proof to a Lost World”

The pretty lie that leads to death and where real JOY is found.

A while back, I woke up way too early and found myself watching a World War 2 documentary hoping to fall back asleep. I listened as old men recounted stories of death and sacrifice. The narrator detailed the war effort at home, a country coming together, people denying themselves for a greater good. “Denying ofContinue reading “The pretty lie that leads to death and where real JOY is found.”

Don’t have faith on your own faith.

Don’t have faith in your own faith. Keep looking to God. The enemy would love for you to believe you are the only one whose faith has faltered. But this is not biblical. Throughout Scripture, God allows us to peak into the lives of some of the most faithful when they were the least faithful.Continue reading “Don’t have faith on your own faith.”

Speak the truth, if you love others.

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 be bold enough to say this because we trust God more than we trust ourselves. Let’s understand the danger of the popular phrase -“I’m so happy you found your truth”. These wordsContinue reading “Speak the truth, if you love others.”

The strange PEACE OF Erika Kirk

What those, who do not fear the Lord, or perhaps have only dabbled in a secular religion, do not understand, is that to fear God, more than anything else, conquers all other fears and gives a peace that makes no earthly sense. It is not that we aren’t intelligent, as those who look on likeContinue reading “The strange PEACE OF Erika Kirk”

Keep Telling The Truth!

God hates lies (Prov 12:22). The devil is the father of all lies (John 8:44). He often uses lies in order to fulfill his goal to rob, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). I’ve seen this play out this year as lies have impacted our family, our church, and our nation. I understand more than everContinue reading “Keep Telling The Truth!”

Here I Am

Like many of you, our family is incredibly upset over the assassination of Charlie Kirk. My kids are especially upset. Charlie was of their generation, but my 80 year old mom also listened to his podcasts all the time. Charlie was a bright light. He loved Jesus and he loved people. He knew the BibleContinue reading “Here I Am”

48 years ago today.

August 16, 1977, I was sitting in a car with my mom when the news came over the radio—Elvis Presley had died. Forty-eight years ago today and I still remember watching my mom being visibly upset. I was only eight but quickly became obsessed with this famous person who had died so tragically, so young.Continue reading “48 years ago today.”

When I’m tired. When I’m hurting.

When I’m tired …When I’m hurting… I desperately need to hear God’s Words above the emotions swimming in my mind. Life is difficult.People are difficult. Sometimes, it would be so much easier to live my life for Jesus if it were not for other people–the ones who hurt you and never apologize, the ones whoContinue reading “When I’m tired. When I’m hurting.”

These are not the days to NOT do your “homework”!

I was worried and teary-eyed. I remember looking at my wise, older friend who had faced so much heartache, but had so much joy, and said, “But, what do I do?” She looked at me and smiled and said, “You keep seeking Jesus through His Word. You diligently guard your heart and mind in Him,Continue reading “These are not the days to NOT do your “homework”!”

Words on a page. Hope in my heart.

Words on a page.Hope in my heart. These words weren’t meant to be put on a shelf after Easter. I need to remember again. Maybe you do, too? As His blood flowed down, and the human heart of my Savior stopped , the curtain separating men from a Holy God was torn in two. (LukeContinue reading “Words on a page. Hope in my heart.”

Misunderstood? Maligned? Here’s some encouragement

They said he was bold with his letters and wimpy in person. They said he preached with impure motives to draw attention to himself. They said he was flesh controlled rather than spirit-controlled. These words had to cut especially deep considering all Paul had endured to bring the good news of the gospel to thoseContinue reading “Misunderstood? Maligned? Here’s some encouragement”

Hope for our Hearts

Today would be my Dad’s 95th birthday. This is the second one without him here. He loved birthdays, and family, and being the center (and life) of the party. To say our family misses him is an understatement. My Dad taught me so many things, but one thing stands out to me in this yearContinue reading “Hope for our Hearts”