white and pink box

Lord, YOU are my righteousness. Hallelujah!

Father, I come today so weary. Feeling alone and discouraged. Feeling so unrighteous as I hunger and thirst for righteousness, amid my hardship right now. You compassionately understand our deep need for You and have given us so many promises in Your Word. Thank You. You even encouraged Your people Read more…

close up shot of king s crown on brown box

Crown Jesus Christ, who carries us through, into new!

Happy New Year! I’m now six weeks from God’s miracle of a second lifesaving brain surgery and I’ve prayed about what to share with you. I’ve been unable to write a blog post for several months. Why?  I was again walking the valley of the shadow of death, for the Read more…

decorative treble clef on bright gift boxes on white background

A “happy Birthday song” as I suffer on Christmas Day

The beautiful familiar story seems unique when we’re suffering. Those shepherds must have been cold. Lonely. Maybe they were tired of caregiving. Sick of beating down wolves. Weary of trying to find greener pastures and water, keeping the wandering ones safe, the sick ones sheltered and alive.  And who got Read more…

a bible on a wooden surface with pine leaves and christmas lights

Promise of peace as we suffer at Christmas

How silently, how silently,the wondrous gift is given!So God imparts to human heartsthe blessings of his heaven.No ear may hear his coming,but in this world of sin,where meek souls will receive him still,the dear Christ enters in. (“O little town of Bethlehem,” Brooks, P., 1868) Father, Because I have been Read more…

red leaf trees near the road

Ye servants of God, let’s thank, enjoy, and glorify Him!

Beloved in Christ, I write to you before brain surgery, as my loved ones, subscribers to my weekly emails, a family of His beloveds who are also suffering ongoing trials of this earthly life. No matter what the outcomes may be, this writing says, “See you later!”  Through the wonders Read more…

eyeglasses and cross on an open book

Praying God’s great and precious promises into suffering

I woke up at 3 am, writhing in severe pain with a cascade of symptoms within this past year’s ongoing medical treatment. Stumbling to the kitchen, into my agony, fears, loneliness, and darkness, the coffee cup’s Biblical promise made its way through my tears and into my heart.  “The LORD Read more…

ski tracks on snow on sunny winter day

All things new in the New Year

Father, As the New Year approaches, I praise You for Your promise to “make all things new.” This promise refers to the gloriously planned day when You will restore all things into a new heaven and earth (Is. 65:17; Rev. 21)! This is my sure hope! I’ll live in a Read more…

clouds and blue sky

Can you imagine the singing at God’s throne? Hallelujah!

We’ve recently pondered the different Hebrew words for our word, “praise,” realizing that praise to God doesn’t always mean we bubble over with happy emotional feelings. But there is one word that’s over-the-top, joy-filled, saturated with exuberant praise. The book of Revelation gives us beautiful details, offering us hope as Read more…

white clouds

Please help me see Your glory, Lord

In today’s suffering, do you ache to see God’s glory and beauty (Ps. 27:4)? Are you like Moses, praying, “Please show me Your glory” (Ex. 33:18) because you’re traveling an unknown and heavy road? Are you begging to see a glimmer of His dazzling bright light in today’s darkness?  Beloved in Christ, Read more…

macro shot photography of tea candles

How to worship Jesus Christ into suffering this Christmas

It was a holy night. Jesus Christ, our Savior, was born. Can you imagine the sound filling the sky as the multitude of angels arrived? What a sound must have been the glory of heaven, lyrics from worship at His throne breaking into our earthly atmosphere, praising God! The song Read more…