old castle on rocky cliff

Battle Fear with Praise to God

David’s Psalm 56 song lyrics resonate with me when I battle serious illness symptoms and have fearful thoughts of “what if.” David was afraid of what might happen because, practically based on his human understanding, his enemies would likely kill him (1 Sam. 21).  David’s lyrics acknowledge our very real Read more…

gray concrete triumphal arch surrounded by flowers

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms in Crisis

Crisis screams. A phone call that shatters, symptoms that destroy, an emergency that swirls into chaos. If you’re like me, you grasp for control and try to hold things together as you pray, “Help me, help me” or just “God,” until you finally breathe and melt. In the siren lights Read more…

time lapse photography of waterfalls during sunset

The Lord is the upholder of my life

I had to go to the giant whale of a large hospital campus. Cars zipping around everywhere, confusing signs, monstrous glistening white hallways, crowds of sick and scared people, paperwork galore, pokes and prods. I dreaded it, mostly because I couldn’t figure out where I was supposed to park and Read more…

photo of a man sitting under the tree

Singing the Name of Jesus Into Loneliness

Suffering feels lonely, doesn’t it? So much suffering causes physical isolation, surviving away from others. How I’m praying for those who are widowed, sick, orphaned, and isolated right now. The list is lengthening daily. Even when people are physically near, we can feel emotionally alone, right? If you’re anything like Read more…

backlit cemetery christianity clouds

Jesus Christ, I Adore You

Are you enduring personal suffering right now? Are you afraid as you stare horrified at earthly happenings, wondering about potential suffering to come? Are you surrounded by effects of sin and evil on every side? It seems that we as idol-making humans are worshiping anything and everything other than Jesus Read more…

photo of planner and writing materials

Lord, I’m trusting my times are in Your hand

I found myself writing in pencil as I began filling out my 2021 calendar. 2020 taught me, “Don’t use pen!” Why?   “You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life?…You ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that’” (Jas. 4:14-15 Read more…

red and green mistletoe decoration

Jesus, You are our King and Friend this Christmas

Merry Christmas, dear friends! Some of you have written to tell me you’re singing “O Holy Night” daily, even though it’s a challenging song to sing! You know, the Lord delights to hear us sing even if we don’t like how we sound. In Song of Solomon 2:14 (ESV), He says,  Read more…

gold plated accessories

Singing to Jesus, Priceless Treasure

Did you take music lessons as a child? Did you sing in the school choir or play in the band or orchestra? Does music fill your home daily, drowning out the noise in your head?  There’s something to that, you know. Researchers have found that music uniquely fills our minds, Read more…

woman looking up at birds

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

David was in trouble. In Psalm 55, He cried out to the Lord, complaining honestly about his upsetting situation. He lamented, moaned, got it all out there as He prayed. He was hurt, burdened, and filled with anxiety. Can you relate? I sure can. As my students often say, “The Read more…

I surrender all

I Surrender All

As I live with chronic illness, my body forces me to listen to symptoms of unpredictable flares. Sometimes, my symptoms force me to cease striving (Ps. 46:10a NASB), to rest, to be still, as I use all the therapies doctors suggest. My calendar and to-do lists are wiped clean until symptoms subside. Read more…

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