As an outsider looking in, I become outraged on God’s behalf. He blessed the Israelites with precious food straight from heaven so they would not have to hunt for food. When they woke in the morning, the manna lay in wait for them, alongside the dew. Then, they had the audacity to dream of returning to their lives as an enslaved people because they were bored with God’s provision…
How many times do we slip into the muck of life because we are stuck in our own pity-party? Get out of the muck, and say thank you. Enter a life of gratitude and joy. “It’s ok to have your pity party, but then you need to move on.” This is some sage advice given… Continue reading Say Thank You: Remembrance and Gratitude are Keys in A Life of Joy
God’s Word is perfect, flawless, and infallible, but that doesn’t mean its readers are. Which is why it is so important we approach the Word of God wisely and with diligent devotion to understanding it correctly. Thank God for His grace in this though, because we don’t always do this well.
Sitting on her pillow, holding her knees in her chest, she rocked herself back and forth as tears streamed down her face. She tried to journal, tried to pray, tried to worship, but all she could do was cry. “Why?!?” she screamed inwardly! “God, I’m trying to trust you. I want to hear you! I want to obey, but why aren’t you speaking? Why am I still waiting?”
Kneeling beside the bed of my dad just days ago, everything in my life seemed to overwhelm me in that instant. Would he make it through this surgery? Could the surgeons fix his heart? Mind you, I was not doubting God or my faith, just worried and overwhelmed. But, as the minutes ticked by I remembered how God had helped me the past three years and all the lessons He had taught me along the way.
God gives us many blessings. Once we move past our initial thankfulness, the weight of what we must steward can distract us from the source of our joy. Perception For a month or more, the Lord has been confronting me… I hear messages about my perception of His blessings. Most of the time, He returns… Continue reading Steward: Finding Joy when Blessings Seem Like Burdens
Anxiety is something many people deal with. When we are anxious it is important to bring it to God, and when those around us are struggling we need to come alongside them with kindness. I have dealt with anxiety for much of my life. It has been one of those issues that seems to ebb… Continue reading Anxious: Casting Our Worries on God to Allow His Kind Consolation
As believers, we may think depression and faith could not occur together. But because of the cross, we who face despair can still find hope. Depression is something we hear about all the time. I’m here to tell you it is much more than just being sad. Most Christians I know who have struggled with… Continue reading Depression: Fighting for Joy in the Midst of Darkness
As believers, we are pilgrims who live in the world but are not of the world. We must embrace this identity to truly follow Christ. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11 Recently my sister in law made an intriguing comment.… Continue reading Pilgrims: Learning to Be in The World, Not of The World
Sometimes faith is a process, or promises take a while to come true. In the place of waiting, the sweetness of the Presence of the Lord sustains us. One of my favorite things about fall is all the delicious smells and tastes in the air. I love a mouthwatering apple cobbler; a buttery crust, topped… Continue reading Sweetness: Tasting His Presence Through the Process
