“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16: 7b NIV I walked into church, a trained smile upon my lips; one that never seemed to reach my eyes. Our family was in the midst of a…
Category: Christian Life
He Loves You. No Strings Attached.
“When the seventy-two disciples returned they reported to him, ‘Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!’ ‘Yes,’ he told then, ‘I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look I have given you the authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and…
Distraction Desperation
“Fix your eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,” Hebrews 12:2a I organized a Moms Bible Study one summer. We met at a park every week, and the children played while we focused on Scripture. Or, we tried to focus on Scripture. The last day we met, we settled at our picnic…
I Got It God, Right?
Hands planted on her tiny two-year-old hips, she stared defiantly up into my widened eyes, declaring, “No! Levi, I got. You go clean!” Oh, the “wisdom” of Kira, our toddler daughter! She and I were babysitting for a friend, but oh, Kira believed she had this. She wanted to do it herself- without any help…
The God Who Sees
Overwhelmed. Desperate. Sick and tired of being sick and tired. I know I’ve been there. I bet you have too. In Genesis 16, Hagar had felt it all. A slave to a woman who didn’t seem able to make up her mind. Forced into a relationship and pregnancy she didn’t request. No one asked Hagar…
Bold, Beautiful Respect
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline.” II Timothy 1:7, NIV “It’s not fair,” she declared as she climbed into the warm car, beside me, flicking her hair from her face. The movement adding weight to her words and revealing a stormy expression set deep in…
Psalms to Soothe
“In your anger do not sin, when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” Psalm 4:4 Tossing and turning in bed next to my husband, both my mind and my body refused to be still. As I again mulled over the words spoken in my presence, my feet fidgeted once more….
Anxious about… Nonevents
“Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV Six o’clock am. I reluctantly exited by bedroom. Wearing yoga pants, fleece top, and sneakers I appeared ready for my morning run. But inwardly I groaned. She had already spied…
Bent and Blooming
My place of retreat had been attacked. My memories didn’t match this sight: broken branches, dirty debris, rogue rocks and mud everywhere. Record-breaking rains had flooded my favorite trail. After the water receded, I braved the large puddles and set off into the unrecognizable woods. Beneath the canopy of flourishing green, the plants and paths…
Impatiently Waiting
“Did the mail arrive,” our high school senior asked breathlessly as she burst through the door after school. “Yes,” I answered smiling, “but it hasn’t come yet.” It was a college acceptance letter she’d been expecting for weeks, anticipating for years. She knew she was set to graduate in a few short months and desperately…