Someone once asked me if I had ever struggled with a stronghold in my life. To be honest, at the time I wasn’t even sure what a stronghold was. So I did a little digging.
A stronghold is one of those churchy Christianese words that’s hard to wrap your mind around. It’s not a word we use everyday. Read more…
I sat by her bed.
Her hand swollen…full…unmoving.
Feet that danced just a few weeks ago now stilled. Arms that lifted just a short time ago now limp. Words that spilled easily just a moment ago now halted. How could life seep away so quickly, right before my eyes?
Mom was ready. But I wasn’t. Read more…
Today I’m writing over at www.proverbs31.org for their Encouragement for Today devotion. In case you missed it, I wanted to share it with you too! Lived blessed! You are.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
I became a Christian when I was a teenager. Read more…
Sometimes you expect you’re getting a Rachel and you wake up with a Leah.
Okay, I know that example might connect better with a guy, but you get the point.
Let me try that again. What do you do after you’ve crossed the Red Sea of obstacles, only to be dying of thirst at Marah three days later? Read more…
Today I’m writing over at Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Encouragement for Today. Here’s what I had to say. I pray the words will breathe fresh life into your soul. And make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post to learn about The 14 Days of Giveaways.
I sat on my porch with my Bible in my lap and a hot mug of coffee in my hand. Read more…
Do you ever wonder if God hears your cries? If He really cares about your dreams? I think we’ve all had those doubts at one time or another. Today I’ve invited my sweet friend Kelly Balarie to visit with us. She’s had those pondering and come out braver on the other side. Welcome Kelly as she warms our hearts with what to do while we wait. Read more…
I just got my braces off…again.
I have had braces on my upper teeth three times. Count them. One. Two. Three.
As the orthodontist explained, “Teeth have a memory. They always want to go back to the way they were.”
As soon as he said those words, I felt convicted. I have a tendency to go back to the way I was. Read more…
When I was six years old, I skipped off to first grade with a fresh box of crayons, a crisp green dress with Swiss polka dots sleeves, and a fresh hope that I would be good enough—that someone would at least like me.
But first grade only confirmed my fears. I wasn’t good enough after all.
From the time my teacher held up the first spelling flash card, Read more…
Back in the 1960’s there was a song titled, “You Got What It Takes.” I don’t remember the song from when it debuted, but I have heard it since.
Dinah Washington and Brook Benton weren’t the only ones singing “You got what it takes.” Peter said it too. He wrote this about God, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Pet. Read more…
He sat behind me in the Boeing headed west.
Perhaps “sat” is not the right word.
He didn’t speak, but I felt him rummaging about.
Occasional kicks and pushes against the back of my seat let me know he was there.
Little boy noises. Restless, “get me out of here” stirrings.
And then I saw fingers. Read more…