a woman in brown turtleneck sweater praying

Thoughts of Jesus, comfort from Jesus, as we suffer

Precious Lord Jesus, I’ve read that You are “gentle and lowly in heart” (Mt. 11:29 ESV). Help me remember the gentle way You treat Your repentant, lowly, suffering ones (Is. 57:15). You came into Your created world in a lowly, humbled, and gently meek way. While still fully God, You emptied Read more

silhouette of mountains during dawn

Near to the heart of God as we suffer

Suddenly bedridden at the end of April. Brain surgery complications. Flat. Staring at the ceiling. Light and sound excruciatingly painful. Could be days, weeks, chronic. Causing the brain to slump.  Had cerebrospinal fluid leaking been the root of my underlying chronic illnesses over the last 36 years? Only God could Read more

person s scooping water by hands

Have Thine own way, Lord, when I’m filled with anxiety

God’s people panicked! God had led them into a place without body-sustaining water to drink, “according to the LORD’s command” (Ex. 17:1 CSB). In His will, with His presence, they again literally thirsted. It all followed His manna and quail miracle, His water miracle at Marah, and His miraculous rescue Read more

yellow bokeh lights

The angels’ Christmas song points us to our Good Shepherd

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

warm candlelight with flickering flame

Singing to Jesus by name in a suffering Christmas

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

close up photo of lion

Reigning King Jesus, give us a peaceful and quiet life, as You put new leaders in place

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

an elderly man consoling a woman

Bringing our emotions to the feet of Jesus

God made us emotional beings, housed in a body with a cognitive brain that thinks and an emotional brain that simultaneously “feels.”  Beloved in Christ, God not only understands our emotions, but He created us with physical brains… that automatically have them.  Many faithful and mature children of God (e.g., Read more

an eagle flying in the sky

Lord, please give me “Be still, my soul” patience

As grief overwhelmed me, I lost my patience. Anger welled up and had to be honestly released with a shout. Shrouded in loss and shocked by my unusually loud reaction, I asked God to help me see what lay beneath my tear-full explosion.  My anguish had started with an unexpected Read more

person carrying child wearing white top

Releasing into joy, in my dread of suffering

Why do I assume that tomorrow will bring more suffering?  Even if it did, why would I assume that I couldn’t possess any joy?  Maybe I need to simply ask God for His Spirit’s promised fruit of joy, to release my imagined assumptions. Who am I to predict what tomorrow Read more

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