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…”
Tag Archives: peace
Chasing Contentment
Great gain.We want that.We all want that. Paul said, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain”. (I Tim 6:6) How true.Godliness with contentment. “So, I’ll follow God and be content with where He leads and what He gives.” But, that’s easier said than done for our flesh-filled wandering hearts who are constantly chasing contentment. SoContinue reading “Chasing Contentment”
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!”
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”
It’s a wound that cuts so deep…
If you’ve ever felt betrayed by a friend you know that’s a wound that cuts deep. Jesus said it would happen to Him.And it did. “All the disciples forsook Him and fled.” (Matt 26:56) Prophecy was fulfilled. He was on His way to the Cross. He went alone. He stood alone. His friends deserted Him.Continue reading “It’s a wound that cuts so deep…”
A Prayer For This Day
I’m begging God to draw me near, to help me hear His voice above the busy, hectic, and stressful times that Christmas and this world can sometimes feel. I am asking the Lord to restore the joy of Him when life, and Christmas, seems to be rushing by Way. Too. Fast. I don’t want toContinue reading “A Prayer For This Day”
Peace, do you have it?
Jesus is our peace. It’s sounds like such a calm, relaxing, silent night, kind of word. But to better understand we need to think of peace as in terms of war …war and peace. The Bible says, we were God’s enemies. (Rom 5:10) Not just lost or confused or mistaken.We were hostile to God. (RomContinue reading “Peace, do you have it?”
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.”
In the Midst of Suffering, seeing God…
I sit thinking of friend after friend.Story after story.Every one of them.Not one of them came another way. Those I know well, who love God so deeply, whose trust is rock-solid, who possess the sweetest peace and unshakable hope…they each have this in common—they came the way of suffering. I bet you know them too.Continue reading “In the Midst of Suffering, seeing God…”
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…”
“Is it me?”
The One who had been laid in a manger, the One of whom the angels sang, the One shepherds told, and the wise men travelled to see —had grown up to be their friend. Their friend. They had fished together and watched Him feed the five thousand together. But they had also walked miles ofContinue reading ““Is it me?””
Hope for these hard days!
Life has indeed been hard lately. Stress and worry have been as a thick cloud consuming my energy and robbing my sleep. I’ve ran to God. I’ve pleaded for Him to pull us out of this pit of problems. But we’re still in the “not yet”. But this season of trouble, is only a seasonContinue reading “Hope for these hard days!”
Even this?
The rich young ruler walked away, sorrowful, but unwilling to part with his great possessions to follow Jesus.(Matt 19:26-26) I’ve wondered again and again if I’m holding anything too tightly or counting on anything more than I count on Jesus. Jesus explains to His disciples how difficult the path will be for those who chooseContinue reading “Even this?”
Louder Lies
Have you ever noticed the enemy’s lies get louder as the trial gets harder? Somehow in the midst of most every trial there seems to be temptation to go our own way and fall prey to sin and its’ consequences. Our enemy, the devil, does not fight fair. In fact, when trials consume us, heContinue reading “Louder Lies”
We need THIS for all our lives.
As the world continues to slide into chaos, I pick up my Bible and open back to Matthew. Forgiveness, and now divorce. Couldn’t Matthew record some easier teachings of Jesus about now? But I guess I know. It’s actually really clear. Jesus spent His very short time on earth telling us the truth because weContinue reading “We need THIS for all our lives.”
Undo YEARS of pain and problems.
As we hear the news of the atrocities committed in Israel, it’s hard for me to think about something like forgiveness. But, I know, it is historically true that unforgiveness that has grown and multiplied, and been passed from one generation to the next, has played a role in these horrific events. For the peaceContinue reading “Undo YEARS of pain and problems.”
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”
Are you tortured by emotions while those who hurt you just move on.
Dealing with people is hard. We will eventually be offended, hurt and feel all the emotions of being sinned against. And this will come from those we love—family, friends, coworkers and fellow believers. But we can’t read Matthew 18:21-35 and think we have any loophole to hold on to unforgiveness. The debtor in this passageContinue reading “Are you tortured by emotions while those who hurt you just move on.”