As this New Year begins, are you begging God for rescue from a new-hard season? If you’re like me, as I pray for rescue, I also must look back, rehearsing His past rescue when my circumstances overwhelm. I first need to remember that He’s already rescued and delivered us! So, Read more…
As we celebrate Jesus’ first coming this Christmas, we’re celebrating love. Love incarnated! The Lord of heaven and earth became human. Yes, He was born to die for us. What an undeserved and gracious gift of His love for sinners like you and me. It’s astounding. Lately, I’ve also been Read more…
As God’s people waited for Messiah after Malachi’s prophecies, they heard no new words from God…for about 400 years. They thought God’s blessing would come after they’d restored the temple, but it didn’t come for many generations. Had He abandoned them into darkness? Were their prayers falling on deaf ears? Read more…
Our precious Father recently introduced me to a new friend in Christ, older and refined by many surgeries and lifelong complications. We immediately and empathetically understood one another, having walked through similar challenges in our earthly lives. We laughed, cried, shared stories, and praised the Lord together. What was her Read more…
My suffering appeared hopeless. Every circumstance pointed to endless hardship, permanent challenges, a life of tribulation. It felt Job-like, impacting health, finances, family, work and home tasks, relationships. My husband and I were now walking through years of long-suffering affliction and endless pain. And now my soul is poured out Read more…
Are you weary today? Maybe you’re like me and chronic illness has brought fatigue and pain. Or are you weary of caring for your family in this ever-changing and despairing world? Weary of the fallen world? Tired of it all? Maybe you’re suffering with a sin-sick soul, weary of your Read more…
Do you feel broken today? Wounded? How could my broken body, broken emotions, broken life be one that sings with joy right now? In this ultra-broken world? As we walk wounded, perhaps the song is a quiet one that someone else needs to lead for us, like the flutist. And Read more…
Joy? How can we possibly find any joy right now? How can we find joy when anger, pain, fear, and personal troubles seem to escalate weekly? My heart has wearied this week, yet He beckons me through this Scripture. God’s song in the night You shall have a song as Read more…
I wonder what they were singing. They’d been attacked by the crowds, stripped naked, beaten, thrown into prison, and fastened into stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25). Which hymns? What were the lyrics? Did Read more…
They trudged the dusty road, so sad and overwhelmed. Their beloved Jesus had died and they thought He was gone. They’d heard Jesus was alive and resurrected, but they hadn’t actually seen Him. All they could see was stifling darkness around them. Their pain felt like the Light of the Read more…