I want to share a simple prayer that was shared with me as a young Christian. A prayer I’ve brought before God almost every day for nearly twenty-five years. God, lead me and guide me. Show me and teach me.Reveal to me what You want me to see.And use me for the work of You. I […]
Category Archives: God
Skipping The New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions are tough for me. As the promise of a new year stretches out like a blank canvas, I’m sometimes hesitant to make a tall list of resolutions. If I’ve had a great year, I wonder can I have another great year? Aren’t I due for something to go wrong? You know what […]
How To Declutter Our Minds From The Junk We Collect
I sucked in a deep breath as I surveyed the stacks of boxes and tubs lining the entire perimeter of my grandma’s storage building. Every nook, every cranny – even the rafters – was crammed full of stuff. Since time was not on our side to move her from this home to her new one, […]
He’s Watching Over You
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8 (NKJV) Whether you are sleeping in peace or crying through the night, He’s watching over you. Whether you are walking bold and courageous or trembling with fear, He’s watching over you. Whether you […]
When You Feel Scared To Spend Quiet Time With God
“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” Luke 5:16 (NKJV) Sitting around our Bible Study table, we found ourselves discussing the topic of spending quiet time with God. As thoughts began chiming in, I sat there baffled that every single lady was in agreeance except me. Not one of them wanted any […]
Shining Our Light As a Beacon of Hope
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) A year ago my cousin invited me to meet up with her in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I’ve wanted to visit this string of barrier islands for years, so eager […]
There Is Hope In The Silence
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NLT) Silent Saturday. The one day of Holy Week we don’t hear much about. Palm Sunday and Good […]
Look Up: Trusting In The Faithfulness of God
As a young Christian, I looked at my problems and sufferings while letting them determine my day. I looked down in self-pity wondering why they were happening to me. I was looking to everyone else for help to escape it. God was my last resort, if at all. I wasn’t looking in His Word to […]
How To Make Sure Jesus Is In Your Boat
Are you struggling today with the out-of-nowhere storm that suddenly popped up in your life? Maybe it’s an unexpected health diagnosis rocking your very core. Or your spouse recently chose to walk away from you and your sacred marriage vows. It could be a financial crush leaving you wondering how you’re going to make ends […]
When Love Was Born For The World
“God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him.” 1 John 4:9 (NLT) Today I could just simply say… God loves you! And I would absolutely be correct. But I’d rather show you that He does. See, I […]
How to Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
“And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.’ ” Luke 2:10-11 (KJV) I can only imagine the morale of God’s […]
What Peace on Earth Really Means at Christmas Time
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14 (KJV) As we light our second candle of Advent this week we celebrate Peace. “Peace on earth”— a common Christmas slogan that can leave us a bit confused and depressed as we look around our world today and see […]
Finding Hope In The Advent Of Christ
And it’s this kind of hope that activates our faith because faith cannot exist without it. Heb. 11:1 (GNT) I didn’t grow up celebrating Advent. And in my adult life, I’ve only attended one church that lit the Advent wreath candles in the coming weeks leading to Christmas. So this week, I’ve spent some time […]
Stepping Out Onto The Waters of Trust
“Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ ” Matthew 14:31 (ESV) Have you ever felt a strong sense of urgency to change your circumstances yet you simply cannot? I definitely have. Over the last several years, I’ve experienced one […]
Creation Speaks His Glory
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship.” (Psalm 19:1) NLT Living in Ohio most of my life where gloomy clouds make up over half the days in a year, I learned to appreciate the sunshine. Every gorgeous, blue-skied sunny day was a treasured gift from God. Now living here in […]
Following After Our Savior
“Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!’ ” (John 21:22) ESV I’m gonna shoot that bird if he’s not gone when we get back from vacation! My husband was at his wits end. Cringing, I immediately said a prayer… […]
It’s God
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) NLT There are some who believe my constant journaling is what keeps me sane, calm and even keel. And while […]
Take a Step Forward
“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (Proverbs 22:6) NLT I hate family tension. Those times when conversations become a bit heated and drama seems to invade out of nowhere. Times when we’re misunderstood or not being heard like we desperately expect. I’m a peacemaker […]
From the Garden to the Grave
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) NLT I absolutely refused to read the details of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. As a young Christian, it was beyond enough squirming in a pew just hearing each word showcasing His agony like… mocked, whipped, spit on, beaten, and […]
Don’t Become A “Usta”
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV) I’m sorry. It’s been over a year since my last blog post. A fact I never thought I’d have to write. But I want you to know I […]
Taking A Front Row Seat At Jesus’ Feet
“I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing; To live with Him in His house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate His beauty; I’ll study at His feet.” Psalm 27:4 MSG I love when God takes a familiar passage and extracts a different perspective for me to see. For us girls, the small tale […]
Moving Our Why To What
“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold — though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ […]
God, Help Me Tame My Inner Squirrel
“Does this sound as if I am trying to win human approval? No indeed! What I want is God’s approval!…” (Galatians 1:10 GNT) Have you ever watched squirrels? I know. That’s kinda random isn’t it? But seriously, if you get a chance, do it. They’re comical. Our neighborhood is full of squirrels. From gathering nuts […]
When Silence Isn’t So Golden
“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18 NLT) Silence is golden. The famous words of wisdom passed through the years. You know… open your ears, not your mouth… put a sock in it… or I love how my sister says it: zip your lip, chip! But there are times […]
Shine Jesus Well
In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 HCSB There’s no doubt 2020 has plunged us down the track of a wild ride we never stood in line for. And with each twisty turn and […]
Giving It To God In Prayer
“Casting all your care upon him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NKJV) I’ve been a worrier most of my life. I’m not proud of it. It’s one of my biggest weaknesses. And because of that, I’ve allowed worry to rank high in my defining personality traits. As if being a worrier deserves […]
God’s Rhythm Of Grace
My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness (James 1:19-20 CSB) I’d love to be able to dance. Not the typical sway back and forth boring middle school dance either. I’m talking about clenching a […]
Intentionally Seeking The Quiet
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and there He prayed.” (Mark 1:35 NKJV) Can you imagine the droves of people constantly following Jesus around? People desperate for healing; desperate for spiritual needs. They searched Him out day and night. And let’s […]
God’s Still Small Whispers
“…but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NKJV) I remember the very day I established […]
Loving Like God In A Hate-Filled World
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39 NKJV) It’s all too much. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this kind […]
His Purpose, My Obedience
“For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.” (Phil 2:13 HCSB) Hi and welcome to my introductory blog post! Phew… the last year or so has been tricky, but I’m so happy to finally be here. And for the next few minutes […]