How long, O Lord, shall I complain Like one that seeks his God in vain? Canst thou thy face forever hide, And I still pray and be denied? (“How Long, O Lord,” Watts, I., p. d.) Does this Psalm-echoing hymn resonate with you? You’re not alone, especially if you suffer Read more…
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…
I recently came to our Father with the pain of my suffering sisters in Christ as we live in this fallen world…cancer and chronic illness, depression and anxiety, financial and job pressures, loneliness and losses, death and grief, persecution, pains in motherhood and marriage, constant woundings of others… ”Oh Father, Read more…
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…
I’ve been pondering the wondrous truths God reveals about His saving gift. I once asked Him, “What are believers in Christ saved from, exactly?” If anything brings me to my knees in humble gratitude within this year’s suffering Christmas, it’s His answers throughout Scripture. Handel’s Messiah echoes the truth, the very bad Read more…
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…
For weeks, Handel’s Messiah has burst into my thoughts, throughout the day! I’ve had the joy of singing, playing, and conducting it multiple times…any music studied carefully for performance is part of our very being! But this year, it’s way bigger than the music. It’s God’s comforting soul care as I suffer. Read more…
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me (Psalm 50:23 ESV). Heavenly Father, finding heartfelt words of thanksgiving during suffering and loss can sometimes be challenging. We can make lists of things for which we are thankful. It helps. We can sing words of praise to You, sing Read more…
Have you ever wondered how much more you could possibly endure? I had that moment recently. Hooked up to beeping machines in the hospital, tears welled up. I felt like such a burden to others in my weakness. Stuck, dependent, weary, unable, overwhelmed. In desperate need of our Helper once Read more…
I’m writing this three weeks before America’s election of new government leaders, another historical transition. No matter who wins, some people will be disappointed and frightened of what is to come. Many of my subscribing sisters in Christ live in nations with deeply corrupt governments. They’ve already learned the practical Read more…
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