This week, I was listening to a sermon about belonging. Belonging to God. Belonging to a fellowship of believers. The pastor used the movie Toy Story to illustrate his point. Do you remember how Andy wrote his name on the bottom of Woody’s shows, marking him as belonging to Andy? No one could deny that Woody…
Have you ever been so exhausted you just didn’t think you could keep going? Back in my single mom days, I remember a time where I simply crashed. I had the kids full-time. I was working full-time. I was juggling so many balls at once. I walked in one day to find a house full…
Have you ever been baffled by something you read in scripture? It actually happens to me frequently, but I always find myself wondering why God chose to bring Jesus through the lineage of Judah. Jesus is known as the Lion of Judah. Why not the Lion of Joseph? After all, Israel (Jacob) had eleven other…
Over the weekend, Roy and I took a much needed break together to celebrate his birthday. We are in a season of unpredictable schedules, often working opposite hours so we don’t have much time together. We had seen the trailers for the movie A Man Called Otto with Tom Hanks, and it was on our list of…
It’s been nearly 15 years since I heard God’s voice so clearly: step out of your comfort into the unknown because I’m waiting with outstretched hands. I was thrust into the tumultuous waves of adultery and divorce, often feeling as if I was going under. But, as God promised, He was there holding out His…
Simplify. I hadn’t given much thought to a word for 2023, but it hit me hard Sunday. Simplify. It was almost audible, as if I knew it was God’s command to me for 2023. Simplify. Do you ever feel like your life is so busy? So complicated? Do you ever wonder what you can eliminate?…
Christmas. It’s a time for family. A time for fun. A time to celebrate all of the blessings in this life. And, of course, it’s the time we focus our hearts and minds on the Savior who came to this earth as a precious baby, giving up the riches of heaven to take the form…
I was confronted again this week: Why do you continue to write about divorce? Why do you allow your past divorce to color your world today? Why do you allow what your ex-husband did to you to continue to affect your relationships today? I’ve heard it many, many times. I need to leave the adultery,…
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 Do you remember this verse? Esther had been…
God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Romans 11:29 A few weeks ago, I visited a different church with some extended family members. I know some of the pastor’s story. He was out of ministry for a time, but he has recently returned to the pastorate. He is called. And when you are called,…
Better late than never. Isn’t that what they say? A hope fulfilled is refreshing to the soul, even if it doesn’t happen when you expected it. Entering adulthood, I always imagined I would be the homeroom mom, at every school party, chaperoning every field trip. I thought I would cook nutritious homemade meals and have…
I find myself re-learning the same lessons over again. This week, I was praying as I went about my morning. I found myself begging God to hear my prayers, to see my heart, to answer my prayers. Until several scriptures began running through my mind. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all…