We see the trouble. We can’t see this.

I couldn’t sleep. I woke up early thinking about this world (and, to be honest, my own little world and some things heavy on my heart). I was reminded again of my study of Daniel— Daniel is praying fervently as the Lord, through Gabriel, explains the things which are to come— the destruction of Jerusalem,Continue reading “We see the trouble. We can’t see this.”

When we are tempted to fear…

I can’t remember what had caused me to fear way back then, I just remember her response. Oh, how I miss my wise friend. She’s with Jesus now. She told me, “When the world is crazy, when you don’t know what to do, draw closer to Jesus. Be prepared to give an answer for theContinue reading “When we are tempted to fear…”

The thing about hanging out with sinners…

When people spend time with you, do they see Jesus in you and desire to follow Him more? Zacchaeus, that wee little man, who climbed the Sycamore tree and invited Jesus to dine with him, was well known for his sins (Luke 19:7). But after spending time with Jesus, he repented of his sins andContinue reading “The thing about hanging out with sinners…”

Because of Jesus, we really can face tomorrow.

We all mourn things. Life includes hard, tragic, disappointing, and sad moments. No one is immune. You can’t wrap yourself up in a bubble and avoid it. You’re going to miss out on the best of life if you try to do so. What’s crazy is that as I walk this life, I continue toContinue reading “Because of Jesus, we really can face tomorrow.”

Not every situation ends in disappointment

Not every situation ends in disappointment. Those of us who are eternally minded, especially those with hearts for others to truly know the life and peace found in Christ, need to remember this. Yes, we live in a spiritual war zone, and we have seen those we desperately want to walk toward Jesus, walk away.Continue reading “Not every situation ends in disappointment”

When those we thought godly, walk away.

I’m not sure if anything comes as close to rattling my faith as when people, I thought godly, walk away from Jesus and do ungodly things. This was exactly what was happening in the church in Corinth. We see it today as some continue to choose the praise of men and compromise with the worldContinue reading “When those we thought godly, walk away.”

Will you be able to stand?

Right now, we are seeing the winds of hard days and our “cancel culture” blowing away those who aren’t planted with deep roots in biblical truth. Psalm 1 compares those who follow God to a strong tree planted by rivers of refreshing water and goes on to say, “The ungodly are not so, but areContinue reading “Will you be able to stand?”

How do we stand fast when the world is falling apart?

“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” (2 Thess 2:15) One of my favorite preachers, Doug Sager, who is with Jesus now, used to say “When you are reading the Bible and see “therefore” ask what it’s there for.” I can still hear hisContinue reading “How do we stand fast when the world is falling apart?”

A few thoughts on marriage from a slow learner…

I am convinced more than ever that marriages, particularly those in the church, are under attack. And so, I felt led to share a few things I’ve learned as a wife over the years. I’m sure many of you could add more and are welcome to do so in the comments below. Here are mine—Continue reading “A few thoughts on marriage from a slow learner…”

Are we seeing evil forces at work as American students protest for Hamas?

With sadness, I watched a video last night of a Jewish student being denied access to the campus of UCLA by fellow students protesting in support of Hamas and Palestine. Are we just going to sit idly by again while racism happens in America? What if he had been a black student being denied accessContinue reading “Are we seeing evil forces at work as American students protest for Hamas?”

Don’t let what someone did to you be more than what Jesus did FOR you.

Don’t let what someone did to you be more than what Jesus did for you. We will all be sinned against. None of us will escape this life unscathed. Some will be horrifically wounded by no fault of their own. I do not like it or understand it. However, I do know there are demonicContinue reading “Don’t let what someone did to you be more than what Jesus did FOR you.”

Do your friends truly love you? Do you truly love them?

I heard a pastor once say, “You can’t preach peace to those who walk in disobedience.” The truth is, as much as we want others to experience the rivers of peace we know because of Christ; those who insist on walking their own way, in disobedience to the ways of God, will never experience theContinue reading “Do your friends truly love you? Do you truly love them?”

After the cheers faded…

I wonder about that morning after Jesus had rode in on the donkey, after the crowd had cheered and waved palm branches…I wonder, did He look around at His disciples? I wonder, as the disciples still celebrated over breakfast, did he wonder if they remembered what He had told them just a few days before?Continue reading “After the cheers faded…”

A Sovereign Delay while Satan Rules.

I can only imagine the spiritual battle being waged in the heavenlies as Jesus headed toward Jerusalem and what we call the Triumphal Entry and Holy Week. Surely, the demons seethed and swarmed. And while we prepare our hearts to celebrate the fact that Satan and his minions were eternally defeated with the blood-bought, death-defeatingContinue reading “A Sovereign Delay while Satan Rules.”

God knows what you think might be too hard for Him…

You realize, The Almighty God (El Shaddai) , the God Who Sees (El- Roi) knows our doubts and our worries. God knows what it is we think is too hard for Him. Here’s one reason we can know this— In Genesis 17, God makes the covenant with Abram to multiply him exceedingly and give himContinue reading “God knows what you think might be too hard for Him…”

Peace, be still!

I had woken up to a horrific storm. Wind howling. Sheets of rain. Booming thunder. The storm outside passed, but I couldn’t sleep. Another storm, the one affecting us all, the condition of our world, was on my mind. In Luke 8, Jesus is exhausted from his busy ministry. He tells his disciples to getContinue reading “Peace, be still!”

Keep it up…

Do you take your faith “way too seriously”? Have you been left out or scorned because of it? Have others deliberately tried to hurt you because of the Name of Christ you wear? We need only look at our society to know the winds of persecution are fiercely gathering against those who honor Christ andContinue reading “Keep it up…”

Be BOLD in a GOOD way!

I suppose we all have our own list of reasons we fail to talk about Jesus and what the Bible says is true when we could. Maybe we don’t feel prepared. Maybe we leave it up to the preachers. Maybe we hate conflict and want everyone to like us. Maybe we are afraid our businessesContinue reading “Be BOLD in a GOOD way!”

Bigger-than-I-know…and PEACE.

Do I want the things God wants, or do I still want my way just a little bit more? Am I really making EVERY effort to be fruitful in my faith? Inspired by God, Peter said to “make every effort” to possess things like faith, virtue, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness , kindness, and loveContinue reading “Bigger-than-I-know…and PEACE.”

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…”