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….”

“I’m not even mad at God about this…..”

This popped up on my FB memories this morning. The picture and the story below are especially precious to me since my dad passed away a few weeks ago…. Daddy has dementia. It’s the cruelest and strangest of diseases. He seems to float between moments of complete clarity, and absolute confusion, and even delusion. WeContinue reading ““I’m not even mad at God about this…..””

God is at work. How are you responding?

It was certainly no accident that Jesus was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah when he stood up to read in his hometown synagogue that day. (Luke 4:16) It was supernatural. Can you imagine hearing the voice of the Promised One reading these words? “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,Because He hasContinue reading “God is at work. How are you responding?”

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”

When they call you names…

A while back, a young, full of himself and this world person, called me “”Karen” after I had written something he didn’t like. While he meant it in a derogatory way, I smiled because one of the most godly women I have ever known was named “Karen”. She is with Jesus now, and she wasContinue reading “When they call you names…”

It’s HARD to die to self!

It’s far from easy.It’s stinking hard. It’s a hard and holy thing to die to self.And you aren’t the only one struggling with it. For many, who walk with Jesus, it’s a slow thing as we learn little by little, year after year, to die to things that don’t really matter and hold on toContinue reading “It’s HARD to die to self!”

Hold Tight

Take a slow read of these words the Apostle Paul penned so very long ago. May we take them to heart in this day. May we not live in fear, but be warned and so very careful about who we allow to speak into our lives – “If anyoneteaches otherwiseand does not consentto wholesome words,evenContinue reading “Hold Tight”

When you need hope…

God sees.He knows.There’s rest to be had in this truth. But how? Let’s remember our Good Father always and accurately sees everything. Everything. (Heb 4:13 and Job 28:24) He does. We can take that to the bank. So, let’s don’t spin our wheels, wring our hands, and lose sleep over what we can’t control. Instead,Continue reading “When you need hope…”

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”

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”

Have you felt alone? Have you wished God’s will had been different?

Have you ever felt so very alone? Jesus knew what it felt to be alone. No one cheering Him on. No one walking with Him. No one holding His hand or even his closet friends staying awake while He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Matt 26:36) And have you ever wished God’s will wouldContinue reading “Have you felt alone? Have you wished God’s will had been different?”

Powerful Help!

At the proclamation of the New Covenant between God and man, the disciples sung a hymn (Matt 26:30). They worshipped. They understood that Jesus was surely doing for them what they could never do for themselves. Or did they? For after they sang, they went on to the Mount of Olives where Jesus said, “AllContinue reading “Powerful Help!”

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”

He is doing what He promised.

The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”. (Luke 18:27) Lately, I see so much that seems impossible, and wrong. How dark the world seems right now. Just turn on the news and you’ll know what I mean. (Or, maybe don’t 😳) But how dark, how impossible, it surely seemed over twoContinue reading “He is doing what He promised.”

The Mathematical Probability of the Prophecies

Do you know these words from the prophet Isaiah were written 700 years before Jesus was born?? Isaiah 9:2The people walking in darknesshave seen a great light;on those living in the land of the shadow of deatha light has dawned.Isaiah 9:6-7For to us a child is born,to us a son is given,and the government willContinue reading “The Mathematical Probability of the Prophecies”

Do they know why we celebrate?

The Messiah sat surrounded by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. The crowd surrounded the place and pushed in. I wonder if the buttoned-up religious leaders had to dust off their shoulders as debris surely began to fall from the ceiling as the tiles in the ceiling were removed. Did Jesus chuckle to HimselfContinue reading “Do they know why we celebrate?”

Conquering Fear

Those who fear God aren’t consumed and paralyzed by fear like those who look only to this world for their hope. In our flesh, we are just as capable of worry, dread and fear; but when we remember what we know of the Lord, we aren’t devastated by the circumstances we find ourselves in, INSTEADContinue reading “Conquering Fear”

When you are hurting at Christmas

So many friends.So many women I’ve met when speaking. So many I’ve been connected to by mutual friends. So many are hurting. I know so many widows. I know others who have lost a parent, or a child, or a marriage. It’s heartbreaking. I’m watching some lose loved ones slowly who have dementia. Will youContinue reading “When you are hurting at Christmas”

He loves them more than you do…

I know, God, You love them more than I do….those whose names are heavy on my heart. I often find myself trying to say or do just the right thing in hopes they would find hope, joy, and peace in You. Oh God, that some would finally just surrender to You. In the middle ofContinue reading “He loves them more than you do…”