Change. Change is an essential part of the Christian life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that if we are in Christ, we are a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come. But, what does that change look like? Have you ever known someone who says the right things, maybe even does…
August 30, 2023. I had an alert come across my phone about an officer-involved shooting. I quickly opened my phone to watch the news conference. To my surprise, the picture of my friend with the beautiful smile flashed across the screen. She had been shot and killed by her husband, one of her fellow deputies….
It’s been six years. This weekend, September 2, Roy and I will celebrate six years of marriage. Six years of changes. Six years of blending two very different families. Six years of learning and growing. Six years of experiencing God’s redemption. Don’t let me fool you. It hasn’t been six years of wedded bliss. It’s…
What’s your rescue story? I have heard so many rescue stories over my lifetime. Stories of rescue from the grips of drug addiction and alcohol. Stories of marriages rescued from the brink of divorce. Stories of miraculous births after infertility. Stories of healing that can only be explained as a miracle of God. But I’ve…
“Are you truly happy?” That was the question posed to me earlier this week in a conversation with a friend facing divorce after a decades-long marriage. It’s the fear of the unknown that creates so much anxiety, even when the marriage was unbelievably difficult, fraught with betrayal and pain of the deepest kind. Will I…
Every year, Life.Church has a special series in July called At the Movies. Each location goes all out, choosing a movie theme and decorating the lobby with incredible scenes from memorable movies. Pastor Craig Groeschel chooses a movie each week, shows clips from the movies, and then brings biblical lessons from the movie. (I highly encourage…
Stuff. I have a lot of stuff. To truly understand how much stuff I have, I need to go back about 15 years. You see, when I walked through my divorce, I was living about 15 miles from where I am now. My parents lived about 100 miles away with my then 98-year-old grandpa. My…
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9 Roy and I decided to go to see The Sound of Freedom at the movie theater Tuesday. If you haven’t see the trailer, I encourage you to watch it here. The movie portrays the true story of Tim…
Deconstructing Christianity. It seems to be all the rage these days, outspoken individuals raised in the church who are sharing their stories. Telling of how they have left the faith. Discussing the disappointments of unanswered prayers. Sharing how they have been disillusioned by their upbringing. I listen intently, inquisitively. Many of these individuals have faced…
This last week, I visited with a lady who marveled that I had kept the faith in the midst of the storms of this life. This precious lady is struggling through some of the same trials I’ve faced, those of mental and emotional abuse, divorce, and false accusations. It has been a struggle to keep…
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. And a lot of reading. My goal this year has been to experience change in several areas of life, areas including spiritual, physical, and mental health. At the beginning of the year, I chose several activities I wanted to implement in an effort to improve my life….
It’s a thankless job. When is the last time you read Proverbs 31? Let’s take a few minutes to read it: A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all…