Like all couples, my husband and I disagree on various issues, but God in his goodness has been coaching us about keeping the peace, no matter what we believe. Peace is the oil in my day. When I feel it, it makes me a whole less squeaky. Peace Depends on Me Even if someone acts like a doofus, I can always choose inner peace, while at the same time praying and seeking outer peace with that other individual as well. [box] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 [/box] …
Broken Doors
“I’m tired of our latch-dysfunction,” I told my husband. Our van’s power doors took an early retirement, so we need to manually wrestle them open and closed. “It’s good for your muscles,” we tell the boys. But during Minnesota winters, the doors take turns freezing shut. Until we’re driving; that’s when they fly open! Thus, our “discussion.” Can we afford it? No. Can I afford the anxiety of these surprise door openings? No. In the middle of getting nowhere, I pled my case to God. “I feel helpless, but God’s going to make a way,” I told Dwight. “I’ve been …
Through God’s Fingers
That pressing test that rocks your world? It’s either from the hand of God or from the hand of the enemy. The fact is, it must first pass through the fingers of the Almighty, sift through the shape of His mercy. In other words, rest easy. If God isn’t the one nudging you forward through this trial, stretching you into His image, then He’s allowing the enemy to be used for your good and His glory. Even in your vulnerability, you can trust God’s Sovereignty. Satan’s on a rope, and God will always help you cope. God’s got your back; …
Raising Your Standard
[box] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [/box] When I think of God-breathed, I picture God, up-close and personal, igniting life in Adam’s nostrils, awakening unlimited possibility-seeds in mankind. Just as God worked with dirt and breathed life, He used imperfect men as human pens. Breathing life on their truth-stories, His Spirit-seeds continue to produce every kind of good fruit in keeping with repentance. God describes his Word as a sword, just as our …
When Life Falls Apart
Struck by dread and endless questions, in the thick of instant night, tears and fears consume me empty, shred my grit to stick the fight.