Posts Tagged ‘faith’
He Came Not Only as the Lamb, but as the Lion of Judah
Last night as we were snuggled on a couch watching a movie, my husband, Steve, told me about a friend who had a mountain lion come up on his deck. I got to be honest, that would freak me out! Steve, however, a lover of wildlife encounters, thought it was pretty wonderful. That conversation got…
Read MoreListen before You Lead
Mother Teresa has always intrigued me because of her godly servant leadership. She was a tiny but powerful woman who didn’t use manipulation, money, or magnetism to influence people. Instead, Mother Teresa was known as a humble listener. You would think that would have hurt her leadership. I mean – to influence people, don’t you…
Read MoreReconstruct Your Faith… Don’t Deconstruct Your Faith
One of my daughters asked me if I had seen posts on social media about people “deconstructing” their faith. She’s very concerned. So am I. In case you’re unfamiliar, it is a big thing right now for those who have been hurt by the church to post on social media that they’re “deconstructing their faith.”…
Read MoreThe Prayer of Surrender
I was listening to a couple of my grandchildren as a heated argument broke out. One of the mama’s instructed, “You need to say you’re sorry and will you forgive me!” What followed was fits of tears and the honest raw confession, “I don’t like to say I’m sorry! I don’t want to!” Ah, surrender…
Read More4 Seeds to Be Sown in the Secret Place
Recently, I’ve been reading about the life of Elizabeth Elliot. In case you’re unfamiliar with her story, she and her husband Jim went into the jungles of Ecuador to reach an unreached violent people group with the gospel. Her husband Jim was killed – speared to death by the Waodani Indians. After a time of…
Read MoreWisdom to Honor Each Other
The book of Proverbs is filled with relational wisdom. From start to finish there are nuggets of truth that, if put into practice, will strengthen any relationship. Not only is relational wisdom needed in the church, workplace, and community but also, and most importantly, in our homes. If we can’t honor each other within our…
Read MoreCharacter Matters
America is in a crisis of leadership. Everyone knows it. No one knows what to do about it. Our nation desperately needs good and sound leaders. As the wise man once said: ‘Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.’ (Proverbs 20:28 MSG) Admittedly, it’s hard to be a good and…
Read More3 Prayers to Pray for Those You Love
I have a prayer journal that I keep for each of my grandkids. After all, I have 14 grandchildren and my prayers for each of them were too many to fit all in one journal! I often borrow prayers from the New Testament book of Ephesians when I am praying for both my kids and…
Read More3 Habits to Let Go of in Order to Nurture Contentment
The wilderness is bleak and barren. I remember while traveling in Israel and Egypt several years ago, Steve and I went to the Sinai Desert. I have to tell you; it was barren for miles! I’ve always been a bit hard on the Israelites who complained in the desert and murmured against God… until I…
Read MorePraising God in Advance Restores Your Faith and Brings Peace
I remember that night so well. Swatting unwelcome mosquitoes, I knelt and prayed in the African hospital next to my 18-month-old daughter’s crib. Bethany was sick, very sick. The doctors at the hospital felt baffled and unsure of what to do next. I felt panicked and uncertain prayer would help. Steve felt anxious and unconvinced…
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