gospel-centered

job print on book

When we feel like nothing, and no one is helpful in battles, we need our Helper 

I opened my phone, and social media tore into me. Memes complaining about “the world,” suffering and sin, and Scriptures meant to warn unbelievers wrecked my already-aching heart. When I realized I was suddenly feeling condemned and wallowing in “self” thoughts, I knew…these people’s posts were not helpful. When we Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
lake surrounded with mountains

Longing for home, the promised land, O Christ, our hope

Some days, we desperately yearn for suffering to end. With the Psalmists, we cry, “How long, oh Lord?” In those moments, God reminds me…we’re actually longing for home. What a kind Father to give us details of the end of every ache and loss, hope for reaching His promised land. Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
photography of pool near fence

Do you want to be healed?

When Jesus saw him lying by the pool, He asked: Do you want to be healed or “made whole?”  The man at the pool had suffered from chronic illness and disability… for 38 years…  desperately seeking to feel better… likely fighting daily with self-pity and hopeless angst. In such compassion, Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
woman doing hand heart sign

“Love songs” in suffering: My Jesus, I love Thee 

My memories of last fall’s months are fading. Slipping in and out of consciousness, overcome by constant intractable pain and extra bouts of electric shocks, dealing with weakening side effects of treatment…well, it’s God’s mercy that I’m forgetting much of it now. Praise to our loving, powerfully healing, compassionate God! Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
white and pink box

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound! God’s gift of grace!

My heart broke when I saw her post, changing the lyrics of this hymn, saddened by what had become her angered unbelief in God’s gift of grace in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Suffering rattles our trust in Him, doesn’t it? Oh, how we all need God’s amazing grace, offered Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
photography of barrel wave

Peace in the storms of anxiety

My chronic illnesses and brainstem herniation boiled into a raging storm seven months ago. Each day held so many moments of scary health crisis that I continually asked God to keep me physically safe during the hours my husband had to work. After my beautifully care-giving husband helped me get Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
person holding a stencil

Praising our Savior for His victory as we suffer

Father God, even as we rejoice in our Savior’s resurrection, sometimes our suffering so overwhelms us that we can hardly pray or read Your Word. Yet, You know we desperately need Your Word’s truths as we suffer. Strengthen and encourage us, just as You did other disciples of Jesus in Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
white goat kid on grass

Knowing Jesus suffered for me…and suffers with me

When bouts of electric shocks fired into my body, with violently convulsing pain, I couldn’t think but only endure. When they subsided, I always melted with gratitude to our Savior, who suffered with me.  Can you imagine His raw and exposed nerves struck by scourges? Can you imagine the physical Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
aerial view of a city

Singing the gospel when I’m afraid 

Father, The deceiver tempts us to fear that You’re punishing us when we suffer. When the hits keep coming, and we read the words of the Old Covenant, we’re easily afraid it’s our fault. We must not be doing enough to “earn” Your favor. Our accuser tempts us to think Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
person holding green grains

Trusting Jesus With My Future

As one who’s begged God for healing over many years of progressively worsening illness, Job feels like a chronic illness friend to me. Check out chapters 2, 7, 16, 19, 29, and 30 for gruesome details. Stories like Job’s remind me that it’s God’s healing mercy when we experience moments Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago

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