Hi, friends, I hope this finds you well as we enter a new year. January is a time of reflection as we consider the past and anticipate the year ahead. A couple days ago a writing friend (thank you, Carol!) prompted me to write about “Things That Make You Smile.” It was exactly what IContinue reading “Things That Make You Smile”
Tag Archives: hope
Stepping into the Light
This early November, not long after publishing the 21-day devotional “Walking Through Shadows: Finding Hope When Life Seems Dark,” I found myself reflecting on the ways the LORD has guided me through my shadows, and the encouragement I received in the process. And on questions that crossed my mind in the aftermath: How do I liveContinue reading “Stepping into the Light”
This Christmas Evening
The sunny sky slowly gave way to dusk, the silence and holiness of peace deepening in the darkening room. A warm fire glowed from the television screen, a Yule Log program of Christmas songs recorded on the DVR last year. As I sat, read, and contemplated the blessings of Christmas, ambiance and a sense ofContinue reading “This Christmas Evening”
No Longer A Dead Dog
The astounding gift of grace God offers us, and a testament of His love and character, is beautifully exemplified in the Old Testament story of Mephibosheth. After his father and grandfather were killed in war, Mephibosheth lived in Lo-debar. Crippled in both feet from age five, he had no home of his own and no inheritance. Was he lookedContinue reading “No Longer A Dead Dog”
When Family Wounds Run Deep
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”
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”
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”
Fighting Me
Fighting the “I don’t want to” Selfish tantrums reveal Unredeemed parts of me Needing to bow down Before the LORD For His will Immature places Not yet transformed Humble me Frustrate, yet Broken places are where Living water may pour in Come, Holy Spirit, come! Redeem my earthly soul Make my mind, emotions, will AlignContinue reading “Fighting Me”
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”
Softly Changing Clouds
The clouds were soft today A gift, to gentle sun’s blinding rays Take the spotlight off reality Loved ones soon moving far away Excitement and despair Waves lapping and cresting Leak tears held at bay Lest emotion bring a drowning flood The clouds know this gathering weight Wisps turned cottony then pregnant with rain NotContinue reading “Softly Changing Clouds”
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”
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! 💞
Pastoral Praise
Sun has wended cross the sky Dipped below to mornings newBefore the moon and starry lights Crested up into view I saw through lowly window frame A glorious pastoral sight What’s so grand of porch light stream On trees and leaves and darkened day Stillness like a comforter Pulling close the night our way NatureContinue reading “Pastoral Praise”
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””
When Stretched
Have you ever been to PT? Had strength training after an injury? Or, like my dear relative, experienced painful exercises after knee replacement surgery? “I have a deep respect for those who have chronic pain,” my relative said to me…the exact words I confessed to my physical therapist a few days before. What about chronicContinue reading “When Stretched”
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”
Dew Upon The Arbor 