joy

close up shot of a woman reading a bible

What a Friend we have in Jesus when suffering is strong

Lord Jesus, Precious Savior, The pain is strong today. So much of our suffering is invisible to others. As we suffer, what do You gently call to us into the wounding? Are we weak and heavy-laden,cumbered with a load of care?Precious Savior, still our refuge–take it to the Lord in Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
photo of woman raising both hands

Oh, this full and precious peace…as we suffer

O the power of love divine! Who its heights and depths can tell – Tell Jehovah’s grand design, To redeem our souls from hell? (“I am His and He is Mine,” Robinson, W., 1890) What’s your redemption story? His gift of redemption or justification happened for me when I was Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
distressed middle aged woman in black blazer holding a woman beside her

A glorious love story’s chapter

A sweet medical helper tried to encourage me, “Your story isn’t over yet. This is just a chapter.” Amazingly, this world has invented positive thinking “mantras,” faintly shadowing Biblical truth. With each chapter of ongoing suffering’s ebb and flow of hardships, a Christian’s story isn’t over yet! Why? Because our Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
low angle photography of brown wooden dock at golden house

Healing from God, in the middle of our suffering

Cowper’s lyrics resonate deeply with me. He knew chronic suffering well, experiencing much loss and grief, with lifelong severe depression, attempted suicides, and anxiety.  I’m praying that his “praise interruption” with its Scriptural truth becomes a surprising light of healing and hope from God for you today. As with Cowper Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
woman wearing white top

Joy in the truth of the gospel!

What a mess. My heart breaks by what I see on social media these days…people judge others’ heart motives and force their personal “if-then” ideas. They echo themes of the book of Job, such painful destruction on top of his grief, financial loss, and chronic illness. Job’s “friends” accuse him Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
three red heart decors

A crisis of faith, a bursting of love

God has woven some underlying themes into my 35 years of suffering from chronic illness and pain, much like themes in a sonata. As I read my prayer journals, one theme has been the ongoing need to believe the gospel…daily.  I see the subtle spiritual warfare and temptation of the Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
hands raised in forest

Chronic pain and stress? Singing praise to God helps!

I’ve learned so much about chronic pain and stress and why singing to God helps! No wonder He compassionately tells us, over and over…. That’s merely one of many Scriptures. He also tells us: So, how is singing praise to God when we suffer His healing BENEFIT to us? Learning about how Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
close up photo of a woman listening to music

Singing Christ’s hope when chronic pain and illnesses abound

Lists of uncontrollable symptoms. Adding-up ailments. Incurable. Chronic. Pain. Whack-a-mole managing. You too? I’m so thankful my husband drives us to church to worship and praise our Lord with our church family. Sometimes, I’m sitting in agony, but God always fills me with His strengthening love among His people.  As Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
yellow bokeh lights

The angels’ Christmas song points us to our Good Shepherd

Of course it was frightening, for it seemed like just another normal evening to those shepherds. Taking turns on the night shift, watching for threatening attacks, guarding each individual sheep’s needs, and constantly wrestling with the natural elements. Exhausting, longing, waiting on God, loss, fear.  Was life in this fallen Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
warm candlelight with flickering flame

Singing to Jesus by name in a suffering Christmas

We love the names of Jesus, don’t we? Christmas songs are filled with them, echoing God’s Word. They remind us of God’s unchanging character, on display in His incarnated person, God the Son.  This week, our playlist gift is sing-praying the names of Jesus, singing to Jesus by name in Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago

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