When Lazarus was deathly ill, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus. They waited. And waited. Where was their beloved Master? Four days in a tomb brought more than a foul smell. It brought more mourners ~ more potential. “Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.” (John 11:19-20) Here was this kitchen-busy Martha, kicking her beautiful heart into action while Mary stayed home this time. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you …
Why Would God Allow This?
I wasn’t prepared for the phone call. Jay, a friend I hadn’t talked to since high school, had just heard that an innocent little girl in town was raped and murdered…
“Where’s your God in this? Why didn’t He do something?”
Tired of Liking Worry?
Tossing and turning, I’m tired of being gentle on worry, tired of claiming something as mine that Christ clearly came to take. What is it about the human psyche that insists on sifting through crud? Are we that controlling, untrusting and forgetful? Can be. I admit I am sometimes. Even today. In my down, unguarded moments. A friend of worry. Sorry, Lord. I choose to trust you today. Here I am. Remembering who You are. Abba, Daddy, Doctor, Counselor, teacher, eternal best friend… Do you hear me, God? I said I’m tired of worry. I know you hate it too …
Out of this World Counselor
In storms, we need someone who’s going to assess our situation with honesty and fairness. Someone who’s going to perfectly love, understand and guide us. Knowing this, Jesus did something about it: [box] “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.” Jonah 2:2[/box] Thank you, Father, that You never leave me. Thank you for your Counselor who gives me truth and peace. Counselor, thank you for welcoming me in Your presence. Patiently… You download hope, fanning my spirits …
Are You a Fast Forgiver?
Someone once told me, “Never pray God makes you a good forgiver. He’ll bless you with a ton of practice opportunities!” And you know what? They were right. Forgiveness isn’t for cowards. It’s for those who want to be like Christ. I’m a fast forgiver, but (confession time), I’m also a fast pick-up-the-offenser! How do you let it go? By practicing. You need to keep letting it go whenever you “accidentally” pick it up. The voice of offense comes from the evil one, the “accuser”. The minute you hear it, you declare, “No! I choose to forgive as Christ forgives …
God Never Wastes Pain
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROz6m7DP5oc[/youtube] Whatever you’re going through, Christ sees the purpose beyond your here and now. In 2005 He arranged my friendship with a young wife and mother who was dying of stage four lung cancer. Chantale invited me into her world for regular visits. I was nervous because I didn’t know what to say, but God reminded me of my gift to write poetry. When Chantale said it brought her peace, I kept writing these home and hospice-delivered gifts. What started as poetry in obscurity has become a faith-building gift book. Because God never wastes pain, A Friend in the Storm …
When God’s Not Fair!
When I was in college I dated a guy who told me he was less blessed than the rest of the world and that God had somehow overlooked him. Have you felt overlooked by God ~ like you missed the blessing, the promotion, the girlfriend, the health, the wealth, the dream? I believe God would say, “Don’t believe the lies. I’m your all-sufficient one. Open your eyes. I’ll take care of you. Trust Me. I have only My best in mind for you!” In blessing us with kids, God shows us His perspective on comparison. Parents know their kids are …
Jesus and Your Cell Phone
How many times has someone tried to call you and your phone was dead? Worse yet, how many times have you tried calling someone and their phone was dead? It’s easy to ignore the warning beeps, let your phone slip past its last notch into sudden deadness. How many times do we ignore God’s beeps and warnings? We scurry here and there, hardly uttering a word to the King other than, “please make the light turn green,” and we wonder why we’re empty and dry. Someone please give me a boost! There’s only one thing we can always do when we’re …
The Comfort of Gentleness
Ever noticed how gentleness is related to power? When we see a lion cub nestling against its mother, we don’t say, “what a gentle cub.” We reserve that for the long-toothed, big-pawed lioness cleaning her cub. “What a gentle mother.” We admire her strength because it’s under control. God knows the fruit of gentleness shows His strength in us. He says, “let your gentleness be evident to all.” (Phil 4:5) Does He say that because He wants to be evident in us? Why else does He want us to practice gentleness? Because He’s love. He cares about how we treat …
Overly Eager for Heaven?
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” 2 Peter 3:11-12 Sounds clear enough to me: We’re supposed to be “heavenly-minded,” living …
Hearing God
Even before we say “yes” to God, we hear His Spirit woo and whisper us near. Listen as He reminds us how to thrive in our listening adventure. Devour My Word, the Bible, your well-spring of foundational truth. Approach it thirsty, humbly, empty, letting its water wash your spirit, shape your desires. Mine its gold until it becomes you, infusing you with hope, clothing you with quiet confidence and captivating brilliance. Learn discernment by paying attention to My inner warnings and promptings. “Don’t touch that; don’t go there; yes, do that, take this path.” Learn to view narrow restrictions as …
Letter to the Old Me
I grew up in a home riddled with tension. That’s why I thrive on God’s invitation to peace: “My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 If I could start over, I’d assure that little girl it’s ok to trust God, even when things don’t make sense. I’d remind her that since she belongs to the Prince of Peace, both Christ and His peace dwell in her, and no one can steal them away. I’d tell her to try to …
De-stressing
If anyone had reason to worry or panic it was holocaust survivor, Corrie ten Boom; but she held her peace because she needed it to face her impossible challenges. So do we. Life is hard, time is short, people need us. We need peace. Worry’s tough to kick because it clings under the pretense that it’s actually doing something (other than leaching our strength.) People spend big bucks on stress management, but Jesus gives us the keys: Be eternity-minded. Adjust your perception to match Mine. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me… My yoke is easy, and My …
Trust I Must
My Mac time capsule/wireless router overheated to an early death, so I don’t know when I’ll be able to post this. I don’t know if I’ll get the device working again. Lord, help. All my written words transfer through our wireless connection! I feel disconnected from the source. I laugh at how computer-dependent I sound. God is my only Source, and nothing can out-power our connection, not even mechanics. I sigh because I still don’t know when I’ll be able to “send” this message; but I choose to rejoice because I know Sovereign God says, “My timing is perfect. Trust …
God Daydreams
Think your mind’s coursing with highways of thoughts? Imagine God’s. Only they’re not heavy thoughts. He’s bursting bright with light, beautiful thoughts of YOU! The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 Ever watch a mother sing over her newborn? Cradling him in her arms, she gazes at his tiny form, and washes him with the sweetness of her lullabies. Mostly he’s asleep so he doesn’t know it. In a rare moment of …
Will I Make It?
Whether we battle cancer, depression or grief, who hasn’t wondered if they’ll make it? I guess the answer depends on what we mean by “make it.” A few years ago I learned that my husband was depressed. Because I can’t control his moods (although I try to), if I’m not careful, I, too, can get depressed. When that happens, it’s usually when he’s coming out of an episode, so it leaves him wondering, hmm, what’s wrong with her? Why is she so down? Aren’t you glad God understands we’re dust? The good thing about weakness is it teaches us to …
Naked Shame Reversed
One day when I was a kid, I saw a mother at the mall accidentally drop her baby. Strange, how these precise moments of horror permanently press themselves in our brains. I’ve never seen anyone actually step on a baby, but I’ve seen the next closest thing: someone step on grace. Like an innocent, valuable, vulnerable baby, the gift of God’s grace was both painful and costly; but we step on it whenever we sin. Why do such a thing? For the same reason many deny Christ: selfishness. The pull of sin is great. To accept Truth means to submit …
Pregnant with Empathy
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Isaiah 53:3 Hundreds of years B.C., the prophet Isaiah predicted Christ’s gruesome suffering. Unlike Christ, we humans rarely choose pain. We flee from it. Mothers accept pain to produce children, but have you ever noticed pain doesn’t stop then? Physical pain turns emotional when our beloved children make poor and costly decisions according to their “free will.” Jesus was pregnant with this type of pain as He gazed over the city, crying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to …
I AM with You
I squeeze this verse for comfort. Fear’s a menace to my mind. I’m no stranger to its power; Fierce, it lies me down half-bind. I’m no stranger to My Savior, whose right hand upholds me tight. As I grope for hope, half-doubting, trusted Love remakes me light. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? … Put your hope in God” Psalm 42:11 Talked to your soul, lately? David needed to remind himself that his loving, Sovereign God was with him. God wants you to know He’s with you too: I’m with you on the operating table. I’m with you in …
Cloud-Lifter
Depression clouds our vision and blurs our perspective. Life doesn’t feel worth living. Lies sound true. Doctors and friends want to help us. Jesus is the only perfect friend, the Great Physician. “There’s a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 Saying His name sings hope to our souls. Jesus…. When we take His hand He holds us tight. His truth brings clarity. Eyes on Him, our problems dim. Father, I ask that You bless my friends who stopped by today. Breeze Your peace and lift their clouds. Thank You that You began a good work in them …