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…

close up of hands

Lord, I know. Rest me.

Precious Lord, Take my hand. I come to You weary. Help me to sing today. I need no other argument,  I need no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died,  and that he died for me.  (“MY FAITH HAS FOUND A RESTING PLACE,” EDMUNDS, L. H., 1891)  Who shall bring any charge against God’s Read more…

green aurora lights in the sky

What if I don’t have “enough faith, weak faith?”

The enemy is such a liar and accuser when we live with suffering. Especially when it’s chronic, ongoing throughout this life. Especially in a crisis that lasts. Satan can tempt us to think that suffering means we’re “weak Christians” who don’t have “enough faith.” We easily feel shamed, judged, afraid, Read more…

selective focus photography of pine tree with snow flakes

A lament of suffering at Christmas, into Love

God rest you merry, gentlemen,let nothing you dismay…Oh tidings of comfort and joy! (“God rest you merry, gentlemen,” p.d.) Yes, we’ve begun the Christmas season with all its “tidings of comfort and joy.” But are you suffering this year, as I am? Does this feel impossible to sing? Is your Read more…

child in beige hoodie and brown denim jeans standing on dried leaves

I will trust and not be afraid

The composer of “Amazing Grace” has done it again. God has done it again! By God’s amazing grace in transforming John Newton into a new creation in Christ, He gave our brother John beautiful gifts to pen songs. This hymn, newly filling my heart, is God’s amazing grace to me Read more…

lighted cross decor

 I know Whom I have believed, for He is able

As a choral music educator, I often chose a beautiful piece for my children’s and middle school choirs to learn. Based on what is believed to be a hidden-away Jewish child’s words, written on the wall during the Holocaust, the kids’ voices continue to sing in my thoughts, when all Read more…

hands of a potter working with a pottery wheel

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

When symptoms began again, horrific “déjà vu” set in. As pain and disabling weakness collided with my regular rhythms of loving God and others, flashbacks of the 1990s held PTSD.  How could this be happening again? I was physically healed in 1999, with the miraculous intervention of the all-powerful God Read more…

woman standing on the beach raising her hands

Singing into the hard days

It was time for battle. The Lord had already revealed it would be a hard and scary day. Praying together, God’s people prepared for battle by remembering who He is and asking Him for help.  God encouraged them not to be afraid and that they wouldn’t even need to fight. Read more…

gold wedding bands on sand

To the one who conquers in suffering

Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around. (2 Kings 6:7 ESV) In studying Revelation lately, this Read more…

grayscale photo of people raising their hands

Being careful of our songs as we suffer

I need to share something weighing heavy in my heart, out of great love and concern for my fellow sufferers. When we’re burdened by trials, we must be especially careful of our songs and ask God to help us choose them wisely, as prayers…because the nature of music itself causes Read more…

Protected by Security by CleanTalk