Why the ongoing dissent in so many families? Irreconcilable differences, anger, unforgiveness, walls of not-talking. Where are You, LORD, as family members estrange each other? We are all broken people trying to survive. It hurts when some choose others as their “family,” distance themselves, and leave us bewildered. Our hearts are shredded when differences crucifyContinue reading “When Family Wounds Run Deep”
Tag Archives: faith
The Inheritance God Offers
Have you prepared your will? Put things in motion to leave an inheritance? When my parents passed, their gifts were set according to their desires. God, our Heavenly Father, also has bequests for us. His Will began before our conception. He already knew us. While reading Ephesians 5, I was reminded of receiving an inheritanceContinue reading “The Inheritance God Offers”
When Clods Are Thrown At You
Some days the clarion call in our lives is “Incoming! Take cover!” Battle worn and weary, we wonder: “When will it end? When will peace come again? How do we navigate through?” How do we find our sea legs in an unending storm? Second Samuel 16:5–14 records King David’s experience when his son Absalom conspiredContinue reading “When Clods Are Thrown At You”
A New Creation
Recently I read something fascinating about caterpillars becoming butterflies, versus pollywogs becoming frogs. Pollywogs simply transform—lose their tails and grow legs. These are natural changes of a young creature maturing. But the caterpillar? It actually dies, and its body liquifies into “caterpillar soup” inside its cocoon or chrysalis. In the process, specialized cells survive, andContinue reading “A New Creation”
Sin Versus Error
Hi, friends. Why does the word “sin” carry such weight? Why won’t the dread of it let go, no matter one’s culture or belief? The penalty of sin is spiritual death. No one can avoid it. Thankfully, God has provided the way of escape…the gift of salvation through Christ’s sacrifice. A free gift for allContinue reading “Sin Versus Error”
Facing The Lion’s Den
“I feel like I’m walking into the lion’s den.” I looked at my husband with those words hanging between us. My heart pounded. I was about to enter a situation I wasn’t ready for, face something I didn’t have the strength to handle. The biblical Daniel faced actual lions—thrown into their den for praying toContinue reading “Facing The Lion’s Den”
Light in the Shadows
Thank you to all who joined me during book launch week. Like after birthing a baby, I’m catching my breath since sharing the book into the world. What joy to share this walk through life with you! For the next several weeks, I plan to share thoughts garnered from “Walking Through Shadows: Finding Hope WhenContinue reading “Light in the Shadows”
Launch Day 2 🎉
Woohoo! 🎉 Launch day 2 is here (three more days to go)! Get your 21-day devotional, Walking Through Shadows: Finding Hope When Life Seems Dark. It’s discounted now through October 24 (ebook at $0.99 and the print book for $10.99). After then, prices go back up. Click here to grab your copy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FT515VPQ/ I pray this devotional will blessContinue reading “Launch Day 2 🎉”
Book Launch Week!
Hi, friends! Launch week for my 21-day devotional, “Walking Through Shadows: Finding Hope When Life Seems Dark,” is here! 🎉 Please pray this offering will reach where the LORD wills…I feel like a child with a few loaves and fishes, excited to see what the LORD will do! Ebook and print book prices are discountedContinue reading “Book Launch Week!”
Walking Through Shadows: Finding Hope When Life Seems Dark
Hi, friends, I’m excited to announce my new 21-day devotional, now available on Amazon! Inspired by my journey through different life shadows (challenges), I hope these devotions will help you walk through yours. Where is the light when darkness of the world overshadows you and steals your joy? Do you feel confused, lost, overwhelmed? HaveContinue reading “Walking Through Shadows: Finding Hope When Life Seems Dark”
How Do I Live
How do I live, LORD Every dayWhen here, this place This mundane world Compares not To the joy Of beholding Your face How do I live More willingly When I’d rather sit Never stray from Your feet Listen, refillListen, learn Listen, heal How do I live To leave behind Something outlasting The breath of myContinue reading “How Do I Live”
Potter and Clay
Matt Tommey’s reel on The Thriving Christian Artist today on Facebook reminded me of who I am…clay in the Potter’s hands. It gave me pause to consider again the “design of my life, the position of my heart, the gifts I’ve been given.” LORD, am I malleable clay, is my heart soft, does my mindContinue reading “Potter and Clay”
No Condemnation
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 NLT NO CONDEMNATION! My heart burst this morning as the Holy Spirit reminded me of this truth. No matter the state of my world, my soul can rejoice in this unmatchable and astounding gift Christ gives through His death andContinue reading “No Condemnation”
In the Field of Favor
Lord, You have created me On purpose for a purpose To glorify You, share Love Be a part of bringingThe Kingdom of God to earth As Your Holy Spirit lives in me Who am I, LORDBut a tiny flower blooming In Your endless field of grace One small addition Exquisite and unique Created for aContinue reading “In the Field of Favor”
Living Lights: Poems From The Heart
Love poetry? I’m excited to be included in this inspiring new anthology, Living Lights: Poems From The Heart, published by David Lee Martin. Take a look! https://a.co/d/2AXmjsf Blessings! 💞
Adrift in the Sea — “It’s OK”
What’s this lonely languishing As I drift on endless waves No port in sight No winging birds Just endless endless sea Beneath me churns those hidden things What might come to snatch me whole While sun beats hot And thunder booms And lightning strikes repeatedly Missing those who’ve turned away Rejecting still my poured outContinue reading “Adrift in the Sea — “It’s OK””
Magnolia’s Run: Walking Through Walls
Hi, friends! I’m excited to announce my new Teen and Young Adult novel, Magnolia’s Run: Walking Through Walls. In 1952, nine-year-old Magnolia is abducted from her Idaho family and transported to Kentucky for purposes beyond her understanding. Desperately clinging to the hope of returning home, she faces years of entrapment before deciding to flee. Magnolia’sContinue reading “Magnolia’s Run: Walking Through Walls”
Relinquishing Self
Why does this irritating trait Rise within my soul Though crucified Through Christ’s blood Is self-love reigning in my heartHard to let me goThe warp and woof of daily things Interrupted by my thoughts Hasty words only bringCorrection when I ought To patiently forebear Quietly forebearIrritants a crucible Reveals the stubborn dross A fire burningContinue reading “Relinquishing Self”
A Gift of Gratitude
A writing friend recently invited me to keep a thirty-day gratitude journal. To identify every day what I am grateful for, notice the surprising lessons and blessings, contemplate life minus those good things, and journal for about twenty minutes each evening to give praise and thanks to God. How do I view God and theContinue reading “A Gift of Gratitude”
Beneath the Mask
Who am I beneath the mask Of daily said requirements The me whose soul is languishing Searching for the happy face Has carrying burdens overwhelmed Am I too tuned to inward self Not yet dead to temporal Searching for the joy Forgive me, LORD, for wasting time Or is this not a waste at allContinue reading “Beneath the Mask”
Connecting Passover and Easter
Carol Neelands (a Canadian writer friend) recently hosted a podcast with her guest Lamb Baker, about their play, The Passover Connection. Watch members of their small country church enact the first Passover story – God saving the Jewish people from the angel of death; New Testament Jewish believers pondering the significance of the death ofContinue reading “Connecting Passover and Easter”
A Changing Firmament
The swirling snow obscured the frozen lake and mountain view before us. The last few days, temperatures dipped to single digits, then soared to mid-forties. Yesterday, puddles appeared on the snow packed gravel driveway. Would they freeze and turn into a patchwork of tiny skating rinks? Or seep into depths below? Streaks of sun piercedContinue reading “A Changing Firmament”
The Little Man
Delicious aromas wafted through nostalgic oldie songs, the growl of grinding coffee beans, and buzzing octaves of conversations. Within this happy cacophony, a tiny, blonde boy swayed to his own tune, his sneaker-clad feet carrying him towards a glass door. What did he see? A bright grin lit his face, and his eyes sparkled. AbsorbedContinue reading “The Little Man”
Receding Snow
Day after day sparkling white blankets covered the world, and gave the earth permission to pause. Now the pristine mounds of white are nearly gone, soaking silently into the earth, and chasing soiled slush down grated drains. Is winter melting away, the long-awaited snow too soon relinquishing its place, receding and signaling the earth toContinue reading “Receding Snow”
A Snowflake Lesson
January’s weeks of storm watch, snow on the ground, and arctic freeze has kept much of the Northern Hemisphere poised for winter’s worst. Recently I stayed up late, anticipating the huge blizzard predicted for our area. Remembering picturesque winters from the past, I couldn’t wait to see beautiful, large snowflakes fluttering down. While putting awayContinue reading “A Snowflake Lesson”