HOPE! In the midst of the chaos, the disappointment, the isolation, the loss of income, the abundance of bad news, I keep hearing the word, “Hope.” If I am honest, I must admit, everyday, I have had to fight for Hope. I have had to fight to not give into despair, fear, disappointment. I am not always successful. Sometimes, if I am not careful, I can give in to the...
Faith
Do you remember singing, 🎶 “Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham. I am one of them and so are you. So let’s just praise the Lord.” (I will probably change sons to kids when I sing it to my grandchildren, but that’s another story.) I was reading about Abraham in the book of Romans this morning and thought about the truth in that simple child’s...
Lay Hands
Last night, I met a woman in excruciating pain. We prayed for her, but could not get the pain to budge. She left in the same physical pain in which she had come. My heart broke for her. I was disappointed. After our prayer sessions there were so many temptations… Tempted to doubt God. Tempted to doubt who I am in Christ. Tempted to doubt if God still heals. Tempted...
Radical Obedience
God: Noah, I’m going to flood the earth. I need you to build an ark. Noah: Okay God. But what is a flood? God: It’s when it rains so much, the water covers the earth. Noah: Okay. But what is rain? God: Water falling from the sky. Noah: Okay. But what is an ark? I’m imagining the conversation between Noah and God this morning. Noah had no reference point for...
Preemptive Strike – Day 7
I’m reading the book of Exodus this morning. It’s almost comical how the children of Israel vacillated between two opinions: “God is good” and “Why did you bring us out here to die?” The children of Israel had a victim mentality. It’s easy to read Exodus and judge the Children of Israel. They had seen the plaques, the parting of the sea, the cloud and fire guiding them, the water...
Preemptive Strike 2020
Friends, I am taking a preemptive strike on 2020. Everyday in December, I am praying for my future. Join me in praying and let’s see what God will do. Our prayers avail much. So let us avail much in 2020. Let’s began 2020 by taking ground for God. Prayer for 2020 Day 1 – More Father we thank you for every blessing that came our way in 2019. We thank...
Joy
My husband always says, “No matter where you go, there you are.” I’ve spent far too many years searching for what I thought would bring me joy and fulfillment. I’ve left too many jobs looking for the elusive perfect workplace. I have left churches searching for the perfect Body of Christ. The change may have provided temporary happiness, but ultimately the same demons I was running from, just got bigger...
What If?
I teach very bright and inquisitive students. Most of the time it makes for fun and interesting classroom discussions. But sometimes it can be frustrating. The other day, I was introducing a topic, but before I could give them the basics, they started with their, “What if” questions. Finally, out of frustration I said, “Will you please stop ‘what iffing’ me and trust I will teach you what you need...
Faith It Don’t Fake It
I have a new phrase. “Faith it.” I use it to describe those moments when I know what the will of God is for me in a situation but my soul (mind, will, emotions) wants to do the opposite. I faith it until my soul acquiesces. This morning, I want to complain. I am frustrated that the blessings of God aren’t looking like what I imagined. But I keep hearing...
Entering In
The children of Israel had been in captivity for 70 years. God commanded them to prosper in their captivity. Now, they are headed home, back to their land. If you think about it, this generation returning had only known captivity. So going back to their promised land was scary, full of the unknown, some may have preferred to stay in captivity, after all, it was all they knew. Now, they...