To be loved and understood is the cry of the human heart. Someone knows you inside in out, remembers what you’ve been through, and how it affects you today. He hears your silent prayers, and knows when your cherished dreams are dashed against a rock. At a women’s missions event this summer, a woman from the next table motioned me over. She was crying. She told me she’d just read “In Tune” from one of the postcard poems I’d placed on each table. I learned that the woman propped up in a wheelchair beside her was her daughter. She had …
When Misjudged
How would you feel if you embodied perfect love towards the people you created, and instead of them acknowledging you as God, they judged you as satanic? How patient would you be? Wouldn’t you want to get ‘em – or at least sit on their lunch!? That’s not what Christ felt, yet He was disrespected like no other. In response, He kept to His mission of loving, serving, dying and saving…. to make us more like Him. Did you know that you’re on a mission to make a world difference? If you bear the name of Christ (Christian), it’s not …
Pain’s Window
Writing this poem, I pictured a hurting woman staring out her hospital window while Christ stood protectively over her. She couldn’t see him, but He was crying too, His hand resting on her shoulder. I could tell Jesus ached for her to see Him, to feel Him. I remembered His words as he stared over the ancient city, expressing his brokenness: “Jerusalem Jerusalem… how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” Mathew 23:37 The woman at the window felt hopeless, forgotten and alone. Her …
Come Thirsty
When my stepdad visited last week, he told us a story about how as a little boy he liked to feed his calves fresh milk from buckets. The eager calves would stick in their heads so deep that they’d come out covered and dripping. Isn’t that the kind of dramatic effect we want when we plunge into the Word of God? We want our countenance to drip with so much of God’s love and light that others recount His wonders. Eternal Lord, help us assimilate Your Word so it becomes us. Moisturize our dead, dry parts. Restore our spiritual youth …
Why Read the Bible?
My child, I’m with you, waiting to lighten your day with Truth. Open yourself to freedom, joy, hope, health, & soul rest. Bathe in My pages that spear each test. Lean on Me when you can’t see. I’ll help you over-stand. Soak in grace. I was poured in your place! Truth seeps in the secret places, mending, brightening. I stumbled through wrath to make your path secure. Tiptoe close. Absorb My sweet-somethings in your ear. As the flower turns to the sun, or the dog to his master, so the soul turns to God. – William Temple To him who …
Purpose in the Darkness
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?”
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 …
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 …
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 …
Business, Busyness, & Big, Brave Dreams!
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
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.