Once Upon A Dream… [box] Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4[/box] Today we’re going to do something a little different, and dream about dreams. Some of you shared your dreams of breaking into print. By pulling back the curtain of my own adventures, perhaps I can inspire you to embrace something new. As a child, I knew nothing about authors, just that I wanted to be one. God’s call came like a whisper, a flutter of possibility. Maybe I could influence people and make a big Kingdom difference. I started journaling …
A Word to the Dying
Cindy Finch Suffering from roller-coaster emotions? I wish I could tell you some sweet little words that would make it better. But I can’t. You are on a long, hard journey. But you are not alone. When you’re reduced to nothing but grit… and even that is diminishing, God promises to hold you in His tender care and stand tough on your behalf. Watch His light shine brightest in your darkness. To the Terminally Ill: Hold hands with God; He knows the way. Do everything you know to do; then leave the rest to the all-powerful One. Let Him choose …
King of the Sewer
Crisis When my friend, Cindy Finch, was pregnant with her youngest son, Brandon, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. “You’d be dead in a few weeks if you didn’t come to see me,” her oncologist told her. When doctors gave Cindy the most aggressive cancer treatments available, they said, “they’ll either kill you or save you.” Cindy became sick beyond functioning; but by a miracle of God, the medicine worked! Five years into remission, Cindy was thrust in another test: The treatments had caused her to develop serious heart and lung failure. Open-heart surgery removed the damaged …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Divine Presence
In whirlwinds of confusion when cold questions press you tight, ask Me close and I will hold you by a love surpassing sight. You’re my treasure, bright with promise, and I live to see you reign. As we cross this bridge together, I will lead you through your pain.
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.