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: God
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”
Singing a Miracle of Praise
Time rewound and there I stood, in a New York City apartment, fellowshipping with others and singing praises to God in Holy Spirit song. The JOY of the LORD washed through the room and cascaded through us. It was 1972. I was in New York for a work-study program at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, theContinue reading “Singing a Miracle of Praise”
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”
A Mama’s Prayer
Help her to rise, again, from the floor In Your strength, LORD Not just her own Help her to realize every breathIs a gift from You Guide and direct her every choiceThough she might deny Your name Land her where she’ll safely grow Into the warmth of Your embrace Find her rest in You KeepContinue reading “A Mama’s Prayer”
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”
A Human?
“Oh, I thought you were a human,” tripped through my sleepy brain. My eyes fluttered open, then shut again. Who spoke those words? Were they for me, or for someone or something else? How weird. It made no sense. Yes, I am a human. I sat up in the silence, covers wrapped to my chin. WhatContinue reading “A Human?”
It’s Never Too Late
Have you been dwellingDeep in the coal mine Blackened by hard things So dark you can’t see Stuck in the mud pits Like mastodon capturedDoomed to be buriedBeneath sucking muckLost in the desert Dying for waterStung by the scorpion Vultures wait near Frozen to standstill In icy weather Snow heaped upon you Ice forming itsContinue reading “It’s Never Too Late”
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! 💞
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”
Escaping Depression’s Tomb
The tomb of depression, my little room of despair, has threatened to squeeze life’s light out of me. Chinks of sadness, slowly mortared into repressive stones, attempt to close off the door of joy, oppress my spirit, and obstruct my desire to scoot out into the vibrancy of life. Looking beyond the shadowed portal, IContinue reading “Escaping Depression’s Tomb”
Leaving Lo-debar
New Year’s Day 2024 dawned with the promises of new starts and resolutions. Yet, as I reflected on the state of the year left behind, I wondered at that growing, kicking child of strife and unrest silently waiting to emerge from the world’s contracting womb. A glance out the window revealed a fog of environmentalContinue reading “Leaving Lo-debar”
Christmas Repose 2023
Lights on a slim Christmas tree illumine the darkened room, a pyramid of white stars cascading from beneath shimmering angel wings. To the right of the tree, a small vintage cane-seat rocker cradles two new black-red buffalo plaid blankets. To the left, from the speaker beneath the television’s silent image of a Yule log’s dancingContinue reading “Christmas Repose 2023”
The Melting Snowman
When it feels like life is meltingDespite sunny days When storms and rains lash fiercely Drain strength fast away ‘Tis then our God our Father Creator of our days Is catching all the drippings Tears coursing in a race And like the melting snowman Whose face beams joy and play In blessing or in meltingContinue reading “The Melting Snowman”
A Tiny Ember
A sweeping illness blew through me Snuffed near out my candlelight Yet in my fainting heartsick lowA tiny ember glowed in sight Breathe oh Breath of God on me Gently fan anew my lifeBring once more Your steady flameLet my soul again burn bright Tamp not out this lantern’s use Hover healing Breath o’er meContinue reading “A Tiny Ember”
A Brooding Heart
Sadness creased the elder’s face Thoughts of children dear to heart No longer sharing time and space Though not living far Turned away from heart of home To explore the worldly realm Left behind a beating heart Chose instead a heart of stone Yet the heart of home still beats Wrings with anguish and withContinue reading “A Brooding Heart”
Opening A Door
Tears streamed down her face. How could a few chapters of a book pierce her to the core, open a door to a locked room she knew not existed? How could this be? And what would she, could she do about it? At this moment in time…nothing. Her life path was chosen, ruts worn deep.Continue reading “Opening A Door”
Dew Upon The Arbor 